After a short night, with not a lot of sleep, Amber and I headed downtown. We strategically parked our car close to the end of the race. That meant briskly walking to our starting position, maybe a mile away.
We were there with plenty of time to spare, even stopping along the way to say HI to friends and take a picture together.
The anticipation was killing me. I hadn't eaten a lot for breakfast and I think the adrenaline was making my legs shaky...think Jell-o. But I was also excited and enjoyed the "oneness" I felt with all these women of different ages, backgrounds, and stages in life. It was a downtownpar-tay!
Music blared, women danced and local celebrities announced. It was fun to people-watch and see how different groups dressed for the occasion. There were angels with halos, divas with feather boas, and grammas with funky running socks. They were all so cute in their own way. There were also those "serious" runners with their little running shorts, sunglasses and i-pods.
After the wheelchair and elite runners were on their way, it was FINALLY our turn, the RED wave. We counted down and then we were off!
We started by the capitol building and raced toward the train depot. I thought to myself, "I'll try to run until I get to the hill (by the train depot) at least." Well, I didn't quite get to the hill, but I did make it to the bridge. I was semi-surprised how different it was than running on a treadmill. I could do at least a mile of running and sometimes two on the treadmill, before walking... not today.
Even when I wasn't running, I tried to keep a quick walking pace. Amber said, "Your walk is my jog!" All along the way, there were people shouting encouraging words and clapping for our running efforts.
Even when I wasn't running, I tried to keep a quick walking pace. Amber said, "Your walk is my jog!" All along the way, there were people shouting encouraging words and clapping for our running efforts. At the top of the hill, behind the train depot, there was a water station. I was handed a cup of water, but couldn't drink it. Even walking I spilled it all over the front of me. "Oh well, I'm almost there," ...or so I thought.
Running through the neighborhood on the bench, a mom and her young kids ,were out on their driveway with make-shift instruments, shouting encouragement and clanking and jingling. It was sweet.
Finally, we saw the end in sight..."just around the corner and down the hill". Uh huh, more like, "WAY around the corner, a long ways down the hill, then another long stretch, around another corner and FINALLY a straight shot toward the finish line".
Just before the finish line, guys in tuxedos, held out their hands and high-fived us as we ran passed. The announcer shouted, "Your almost there ladies... You're almost to the finish line... Keep running!" He also congratulated people as they crossed and highlighted young girls and older women. "Good job Sarah... Folks, she's just 6 years old." Yep, I was running at the pace of some 6 year olds. :o)When the finish-line was close, I exerted my last bit of energy and sprinted across the line.
The time on the arch said, "47:-something". I assumed that was my time. Amber said she thought it was less, because she had been keeping track on her watch. Even so, I was in my normal range.
After turning in our timing chips, making a bathroom pit-stop and collecting our brown bag breakfast, we found the booth and checked our official time...... 42:05! Whew, a good effort.
The party continued, as Amber and I walked back to our car.It was a nice thing to accomplish. It wasn't as hard as I thought, but it was as hard as I thought too. I liked having this under my belt and I found myself looking forward to and anticipating NEXT year... "I'm sure I could run more, get a better time and increase my efforts".
I don't have any goals of marathons in the near future. I believe I would like to master the 5K, before moving on to bigger races. For now, this is my pace...but still a challenge.
