"I just want to finish and not be last"
Some of you know that I have been "training" (if that's what you want to call it) for my first 5k run for a while now. Today was the day. About 6 months ago, when I couldn't run for 5 straight minutes without thinking I would collapse, I circled today on my calendar. The Lake Villa Township 5k.
I showed up there today at 7:30 and paid my entry fee. (Ironically, the race was sponsored by the Lake Villa Republicans. I should have worn my Obama 08 shirt.)
Anyway, I waited around then until 9am when the race started. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Becca, Danielle and Brian for showing up to support me! When the race was initially described to the runners before the start, it was said to be a smooth course. (Great, i thought, no hills. I didn't train a whole lot on hills.) That was about when Dad pointed out that the race started on a hill to get into the forest preserve. That should have sent mental flares shooting in my brain.
I strategically stood next to older woman at the starting line. My goal for today was not to be last. (Earlier in the week, my adorable 7 year old told me "Mommy, I think you might finish last at your race. But its ok if you do.") I figured if I could hang with a 62 year old lady during the route, I could take her in a sprint to the finish and accomplish my goal.
Anyway. I didnt stay with the old lady very long. The hills got to her. Remember the smooth course the man talked about? He was referring to the crushed gravel that covered the seemingly endless inclines I had to run up. LOTS of hills. Big hills. Hills that made me think I was going to throw up. (to a real runner, they were probably not so bad). Hill afer hill after hill. Funny, they never seemed to go down as far as they had gone up.
Anyway, I was really really really happy to see the 4k marker. I figured I could do one more "K". (Longest "K" of my life). Sure was a rush though to make it out of the forest preserve and see the finish line looming. And to see my family at the end was even better.
And while I squatted to catch my breath afterwards, up ran my daughter. "I love you Mommy. You weren't last!" Nope, I sure wasn't. I ran a blistering pace....(he he he) of 35 minutes and 54 seconds. Not too shabby for an overweight, bad back having, pushing forty first timer.
I am hooked though. Can't say I will ever run any marathons, but I do like it. Maybe I will shoot for doing the next one in 30 minutes. Will settle for finishing though.
I showed up there today at 7:30 and paid my entry fee. (Ironically, the race was sponsored by the Lake Villa Republicans. I should have worn my Obama 08 shirt.)
Anyway, I waited around then until 9am when the race started. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Becca, Danielle and Brian for showing up to support me! When the race was initially described to the runners before the start, it was said to be a smooth course. (Great, i thought, no hills. I didn't train a whole lot on hills.) That was about when Dad pointed out that the race started on a hill to get into the forest preserve. That should have sent mental flares shooting in my brain.
I strategically stood next to older woman at the starting line. My goal for today was not to be last. (Earlier in the week, my adorable 7 year old told me "Mommy, I think you might finish last at your race. But its ok if you do.") I figured if I could hang with a 62 year old lady during the route, I could take her in a sprint to the finish and accomplish my goal.
Anyway. I didnt stay with the old lady very long. The hills got to her. Remember the smooth course the man talked about? He was referring to the crushed gravel that covered the seemingly endless inclines I had to run up. LOTS of hills. Big hills. Hills that made me think I was going to throw up. (to a real runner, they were probably not so bad). Hill afer hill after hill. Funny, they never seemed to go down as far as they had gone up.
Anyway, I was really really really happy to see the 4k marker. I figured I could do one more "K". (Longest "K" of my life). Sure was a rush though to make it out of the forest preserve and see the finish line looming. And to see my family at the end was even better.
And while I squatted to catch my breath afterwards, up ran my daughter. "I love you Mommy. You weren't last!" Nope, I sure wasn't. I ran a blistering pace....(he he he) of 35 minutes and 54 seconds. Not too shabby for an overweight, bad back having, pushing forty first timer.
I am hooked though. Can't say I will ever run any marathons, but I do like it. Maybe I will shoot for doing the next one in 30 minutes. Will settle for finishing though.
posted by Danielle's Mom | 4:25 PM
3 Comments:
Good job Jen. I'm sure BJ is very proud of you as is everyone else. Way to go girl!!!!
Dodson Court
When one gets older the eyes get weaker. Looking in the distance at runners coming in toward the finish line they all look alike. "Is that her?" one of us would say. "What was she wearing?" said another. And another time: "Yes, that's her--no, no it's not". But when her mom and dad saw her at the top of that final hill heading for the finish and as she blew by us we thought "That's our girl!" Way to go, Jennifer.
Mom
But more importantly, you got to come and help sell some more "crap" at the Cobbler Ct Garage Sale Extravaganza!!! Now that's dedication!
cobbler ct
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