crlgrl’s BodyBlog

As some of you know, I started running about 16 weeks ago after alot of encouragement by Froggie. When I initially started the program my goal was to just be a ble to run a 5K in a "good" time by the time I was 40. I printed a running program off of the Runners World website and got to work sometime in August. I turned 40 in November and was able to run a good 5K time so then I decided I wanted to try at least one race.

The race I chose was a charity run for the Veterans hospital in a nearby town and the course was through a park that was decorated with tons of Christmas lights, it was really pretty. I learned alot for my first race……1) Be aggressive at the start to get yourself out of the herd and into the inside track. 2) Cut corners to cut time 3) Dress in lots of layers and don’t wear a jacket that has a 1/2 zipper because they are very difficult to get off mid-race 4) "rolling hills" is a subjective phrase. All in all, the race was a GR8 experience and I’m glad that I did it and, yes, I plan on doing it again!! Maybe just a little warmer one next time. (: I finished 19th overall and 3rd in my age bracket, which meant I got to walk on stage and get a Christmas ornament prize.

I had alot of support from my friends and family, especially my main supporter Frogprincess who was there through the whole process to inform and encourage me…always. And the last few weeks to even cyber-run with me! (: OKC and Ptrob consistently kept up with my progress through my blogs and that meant alot to me! Thanks guys!! My family braved the freezing cold last night to watch me run and take pictures and text Sonja….thanks Tailor and Landon. And thanks to Jennifer (Landon’s girlfriend) who showed me how to run in the begining of my training and relax as I ran and who ran the race with me last night in case I was nervous. I finished 19th overall and 3rd in my age bracket!!!

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 21st, 2008 at 8:36 am and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.