Run For Relief 5K

We decided to get up early Saturday morning and participate in the Run for Relief 5k that benefited our local Red Cross. They also had a one-mile fun run for the kiddos, so it was perfect for us. Not to mention, it was a race in our town, and you cannot ignore a race that's in your backyard.

So, we were up and going at 6:30 on Saturday morning, preparing for the race. Brian was going to do the fun run with the kids, and I was going to do the 5K.

The kids were feeling happy and excited to be running.



And, while I always tell myself to just run 5K's and have fun with them, I really wanted to get under a 30-minute time for my 5K. I am not a fast runner by any means, but a 30 minute 5K would be a PR (personal record) for me. So, while telling Brian that I had no time goal, I secretly had one in the back of my mind.

At 7:30, someone with a rifle stepped up to the starting line and fired the starting shot. Only in Oklahoma would they fire a starting shot with a rifle. Cracked me up.

And, the kids were off. And so was Brian. And, I was cheering very LOUDLY. And, then I noticed that no one else seemed to be screaming for their kids, so I kind of looked like a crazy person standing in the street yelling.

But, I didn't care.

And, twelve minutes later, here they came.


And, I was in the street screaming like a crazy person again.

They came in third place, and I was so proud of them.



Next up was my turn, with my secret goal that I had, although I wasn't going to tell anyone about it. Just in case.

Soon, the person with the rifle returned and it was time to run the 5K.



And, I found myself pacing fast enough to meet my time goal that didn't exist. I was pretty excited, and tried to keep the pace going for the next two miles.

There were a few hills into the second mile, and I started getting tired. That's when I realized that I hadn't eaten before the race. For me, this is very bad news, as I struggle with my sugar dropping during morning runs.

I told myself I would keep going until I got too tired. And, I powered through the second mile.

On the third mile, I knew it would be close. There were more uphill legs, and those definitely slowed me down. But, as I neared the finish line, I knew I had a shot at it. I sprinted for the finish line.



You can barely see me in this pic, but I am to the left of the girl crossing the finish line. And, do you see the time?

Yes.

Three. Seconds. Off.

I was excited about being close. But soooo incredibly frustrated over missing my goal by 3 seconds.

"I think you did it." Brian told me. "I think their clocks are a few seconds fast."

He's a good man, my hubby. He knew what I was doing even without asking. As he saw me sprinting, there was no doubt in his mind I was going for the thirty-minute mark. And while I appreciated him being supportive, I knew he would have been just as annoyed as I was.

Over the next 30 minutes, I pondered every detail of the race, trying to figure out where I could have picked up just 3 more seconds. If I'd just run up the hill a little faster. Or maybe I should have gone more to the inside on the curves.

I am trying to be content with it and not concentrate on those three seconds. But, let's face it...the next 5K? I secretly have a goal to beat 30:03. Which I am not telling anyone about. Just in case.

Posted in: running