I participated in my first running race today. I came in last out of my “team” of 7 – and I was happy to be done. I am not a runner. Why did I choose a 5-mile race to be my first? Not sure. My Ironman-husband trained me for a month – he had to walk beside me while I ran. I kept training because the race was a family event — part of the Thanksgiving Festivities – and it was fun calling my brother to find out how his training was going.
May time was 1:02 – and it took everything I had to get that far. After we started, I realized there was no way I could keep up with my brother – and he was at the back. There was one team member left, besides me, at the back. I had a buddy. I soon realized this was not something to be happy about. I figured we’d make it to the turnaround – 2.5 miles, and obviously take a break and walk for a while. But when I slowed down to walk – she gave me a look that clearly said “We’re not walking” I didn’t want to offend her — what is running etiquette anyway? But I knew that stopping was not her plan. My mind quickly raced to plans to “loose her.” Her shoes came untied twice – I got a little break there – but she was determined.
She finally pulled away from me – and yes I was still running when she did. I was happy to see her go. I would have shouted “Go Katie,” but I couldn’t – I was doing great just to breathe. Most of our 7-member team had already passed me and they were on their way back in. I did make it all the way to the Gatorade station—past the first turnaround before I stopped – and even then – the volunteers gave me a hard time about stopping.
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