My First 5k!

Sunday morning, bright and early, I got up to run my first 5k.  I didn't sleep much the night before because I was nervous and excited. 

Claire and I left around 6:30 and got there with plenty of time to spare.  Adam met us there, and as we were waiting, we thought we might be the youngest runners there.  Seriously, everyone that got there early was OLD!  {Like 80.  No joke.}

Soon enough, more people started coming, so that made me feel better!

 

Of course, I forgot to see if my camera was charged, so it's a good thing I had my iPhone (yet another reason to really like it!). 

 

{Claire and I pre-race!}

{With my running coach!}

{Rockin' our iPods.  Go Team.}

 

 

Adam snapped some photos as we were running and ran alongside us throughout the race. 

I've been running at about a 12:30 pace, and I was SHOCKED to get to the first mile after only 10 minutes.  Talk about an adrenaline rush!  I walked briefly two times, just to have a break for a second, but I was always eager to get running again.

As I came up to the finish line, this old man had been running a behind me.  He said, "Come on kid, kick it in gear!"  And then blazed past me to the finish.  Needless to say I hurried up!

 

 

{All Smiles!}

Here I am just crossing the finish line at 32:46!!!  It was a really exciting moment!  My goal was to finish under 40 minutes, and I blew past that.  I really had no idea that would happen!

 

 

 {Sweaty post-race pics with our medals!}

I went from running 2 minutes to 32 minutes, thanks to Adam, and I can hardly still believe it! 

Claire and I were home by 9:30, and we both felt like we'd accomplished so much already for the day!  I took my time showering and getting ready, and I even tried to take a nap, but I was just too pumped for that. 

We joined Mom, Dad and Papa for lunch at Houlihan's, and it was so delicious.  Mom and Dad gave me this card, and inside was a running ribbon I'd received in elementary school.  Our P.E. teacher kept track of how many miles we ran, and every 5 mile incriments, we'd get a little ribbon and post it by our name.  Mom found one and stuck it inside the card.  :-)

 

 

 

 

And then we most definitely ordered dessert!  But we did share it with the whole table.  Promise. 

After lunch, Claire and I did a little shoe shopping (I'm convinced it's a great way to recover from a run), hanging out, and nail painting.  And then I'd been instructed to wear a dress and be ready for a fancy dinner that night.  :-)

 

Adam picked me up, and we went to Jaspar's for dinner to celebrate my first 5k.  So incredibly delicious.  We had their blue cheese potato chips, chicken and porkloin and then creme brulee and cherrly limeade pie for dessert.  Whoa.  I was still full when I woke up Monday morning.  And that never happens.

 

 

 

This is definitely my favorite picture right now. 

Needless to say, I spent the whole day feeling very encouraged, loved and celebrated!  I received so many texts, messages and Facebook comments from friends and family.  They know that this was a huge accomplishment for the previously non-runner-Shay.  But now, I guess I'm officially a runner!  And I'm already planning to do my next 5k very soon, and hopefully in under 30 minutes.  We shall see!