5K #2

I somehow mustered up the strength to get up at 6am yesterday morning to get ready to go to the Lavender Days 5K. A gal in my ward mentioned Wednesday evening that she was running the race, and she'd registered her son by mistake (he was going on a camp out) because the website showed last year's date. She had to find someone to take his place...and did I want to run it?? I'd forgotten about it, and I had originally thought that it sounded intriguing, so I told her that maybe I would. After I pondered it a little, I called her on Friday afternoon to find out if she'd found someone yet, and she hadn't, so I agreed with--I have to admit--a little bit of hesitation. She picked me up at 6:30 and I tried to wake up; the sun wasn't even above the mountains yet! Once there, we tried to change her son's registration over to me (so I could be be counted among my age group instead of in "Men 14-17" and so I could get a runner's card with my name on it instead of his) but for whatever reason, they couldn't do it. I really didn't care; I was mostly there for the experience, especially since it was my first official 5K. Finally, the race began. I started off at a slower pace this time; I wanted to jog as much of it as possible. With tunes blaring in my ears from the iPod, I made my way along a dirt road in between lavender fields, dodging rocks & ruts and vaguely noticing the potent scent. There were times when I felt like almost everyone was passing me. There were times when the gentle sloping felt like a steep incline. And there were moments when I felt like I wasn't actually going to find a finish line; the race would just keep mazing through the fields forever. (Darn those mile markers; I think I liked it better before when I didn't know how far I'd gone!) But, I kept on going, and though I might have appeared a sluggish, disheveled jogger, I am proud of the fact that I only speed-walked maybe a 100 yards. I didn't even pause for water. And I tried to take advantage of the downward slopes. When I realized the end was near, I picked up my speed, but not quite with the same gusto I did the first time. In fact, I think I was at least 2 minutes slower. This race was definitely a challenge. But, I survived. :) And even better than that, I finished in the top one-fifth (124th out of 594, I think?? I can't remember exactly now how many they said participated). Sitting here, some of my muscles are still aching. And when I woke up this morning, I thought I'd been run over by a truck--horrible headache, sweats/chills, body feeling broken (aches & pains everywhere). So, I made myself get up to take some Tylenol and then I went back to sleep for a couple more hours. :) Anyway, my point is that even though I've been plenty sore, I don't think it's been as bad this time as it was last time. Plus, I think I'm about 6 pounds lighter since 7 weeks ago. Yay me...!! :) ...And guess what? I'll be running #3 on the 4th with my dear cousin, so think of me and be on the look-out for a post 'bout that one. :)

P.S. I must share that the gal in my ward placed FIRST in her age bracket; isn't that great?! I told her that she is my hero... :)