Woop, woop! Thanks to many of you, I was able to raise $300 for my Race for the Cure yesterday! This went towards the almost
$94,000 raised amongst 2,000+ runners and walkers. And it’s still open for donation!
In case you couldn’t tell, I was pretty excited to be at a “real” race for the first time while still having that wonderful charity vibe to it. Meaning – there were
real tables set up with demos, info and
swag and of course, more than 200 runners for once
That said…yes, it was a blast…but it was a
tough one!
I woke up thinking I’d have plenty of time – the race didn’t start until 9 and it only took about 40 minutes to get there. Since my mom had, allegedly, picked up my number Friday night, I figured I could get there at 8:30 and be golden. I thought that would be great so that I could delay eating breakfast as long as possible.
Uhhh, until morning rolled around and, come to find out, she never actually got my number. Instead, she drove to “the site” and nobody was there, and she didn’t know I wanted her to get my number anyways. Apparently she thought I just wanted her to drive there so we would know where to go in the morning. (FWIW, she volunteered to go for me after I said “I think I’ll see if I can leave work early so I can pick up my registration stuff on Friday, so I don’t need to worry about it on Saturday since there will be so many people.”)
So anyways. To add even more to the comedic value of this story, as we’re driving along and pass the place she went to the evening before, she starts saying “oh, the parking sign is gone now…” followed by a “oh…i guess i went to the wrong place…”
As irony would have it, I guess she saw a parking sign at some big house and figured that was the race site, as it was on the same street. The house was probably going to host a party later or something. So I guess I’m glad she
didn’t try to get my number, as I can only imagine her walking up to some people in a tent at a party, looking for “Jessica K’s registration.”
Anyways, this led to franticism.
I wolf down breakfast and we’re on our merry way. Turns out I had nothing to worry about anyways, since it was well-run and still got there pretty early. Even though it was because I had to wolf down my breakfast.
I guess my mom thought I wanted a picture of our governor so you guys get one, too.
Luckily, the sun wasn’t out and the humidity wasn’t
quite as bad as it had been, but still kind of sticky. I wasn’t about to complain, however, based on the weather we had Thursday and Friday.
We spent a lot of time walking around the booths, using the porta-pottys (always a favorite) and helping the guys doing the timing make sure their equipment was working correctly by having me jog across the blue strip a couple of times.
Hey, does that mean I won?! just kidding…
I realize the Race for the Cure is about breast health and not being more excited about food samples than you are about your new breast cancer awareness keychain, but
this granola is freaking awesome.
Here I am, lined up facing the wrong direction! Maybe I was mesmerized by the hottie in the red shorts.
(not really, I just was having a dull moment and didn’t realize that we were going the other direction. i don’t even remember seeing hottie-in-the-red-shorts at the time.)
Aaaand, we’re off!
…after having to slow to single file to get around a car that was in the middle of the road,
after the gun was fired. WTH? Who’s bright idea was that?
My mom’s first question to me when I finished: “
Why’d you line up so far back?!”
My response: “
Oh…was I?”
I guess I didn’t realize it, but I was practically lined up towards the end! I didn’t even notice. I thought I was middle-of-the-pack, and figured it didn’t matter because it was chip-timed. I thought that that meant my time wouldn’t start until I crossed over something, and ended when I crossed the finish. I was wrong. Why did I pay $5 for that, again?
I’m the one in the pink… (haha)
Anyways, long story short, my time was 27:something. 27:47? 187th(ish) out of 440(ish) timed runners.
I was happy, but at the same time – I won’t lie. I was a little bummed deep down, too. Yes, I realize there’s way more than your time for a race such as this, but I’m still allowed to be tough on myself. It’s in my nature.
Realistically, however, I know to look at the bigger picture.
I raised money for a great cause, and I did the best I could on that day.
The best picture of me ever.
I felt like I never really got into my groove, I guess. It was an okay course…rolling hills, but an out-and-back which I discovered I’m not a fan of during races, even if that’s what I do at home. Although it did let me see the people who kicked ass which was kind of neat since I never get to see who wins these things, haha.
Less than halfway through it, I got a pesky little side stitch, something I haven’t had happen in eons. It wasn’t crippling but I don’t think it helped me out any. Towards the end, the heat started getting to me and my paranoia of it caused me to slow down for the water stops set up. And then I saw a girl puking which was another “didn’t help me out” moment.
note, I stopped my watch late.
Lastly, I don’t think it helped that I ran a quick 2-miler at an 8:06 pace the other day which sort of got my hopes up, along with my boss pushing for a 25-minute time. I was pushing for 26, but oh, well.
I realize that sounds
for a charity race, especially, but that’s not how I intend to come across because I honestly still had a blast.
, I’m nothing if not honest so I’m not just going to sit here and lie and say “oh it was so perfect i felt so awesome it was all rainbows and cartwheels.” No, my time didn’t make me angry or upset or ruin my run, my motivation or anything. It was simply a twinge of “aw, darn, if only I could have done X differently…”
But, there’s really such a bigger picture to look at. Because honestly, even if there were times where I felt like I was just
. And to complain about an 8:42 avg pace? Hello, Jess, remember
Besides, the ride home is too pretty to sulk, especially if you can convince your mama to drive so you can foam roll. (er…
?)
In the end, I’m still happy that I’m getting out there and doing the things I always thought I couldn’t. I never thought I’d run more than a mile, let alone a mile in less than 10:00. And to do three? At less than a 10:00 avg pace? And to not only
.
And as for being tough on myself? I think it’s a good thing. I like that I push myself – within reason. I’m not unrealistic about it, but I set achievable goals and analyze the situation to see where I could have done things differently.
Some may call that too critical –
Besides, the ride home is too pretty to sulk, especially if you can convince your mama to drive so you can foam roll. (er… tiger tail ?)
In the end, I’m still happy that I’m getting out there and doing the things I always thought I couldn’t. I never thought I’d run more than a mile, let alone a mile in less than 10:00. And to do three? At less than a 10:00 avg pace? And to not only enjoy it, but want to do it again and again? And again? And stay healthy doing it?
I can’t ask for more than that.
And as for being tough on myself? I think it’s a good thing. I like that I push myself – within reason. I’m not unrealistic about it, but I set achievable goals and analyze the situation to see where I could have done things differently.
Some may call that too critical – “just run! it’s not science!” - but what’s it matter if I enjoy it?
Things to Remember for Next Time:
I guess my mom thought I wanted a picture of our governor so you guys get one, too.
note, I stopped my watch late.