Heart and Sole 5k
April 26, 2014
Well the first race of the season was wet...really wet...and slow. When I woke up this morning I was hoping that it was just going to be cloudy. When I hopped into the car to head to Rigby, I was still hopeful. Just a few raindrops...nothing more then a sprinkle. As I drove the 20 miles to the race, the rain started to come down and the windshield wipers were moving faster...and faster...and faster. I should not have been surprised, we have been getting our share of rain lately. (Not sure when I moved to Seattle).
When I found a parking spot, I headed to the start line. I wisely decided to keep my jacket on over my shirt so I pinned my number on as I went. My hands were already cold. Not a good sign. (Note to self..have some spare gloves). I made my way to the growing group of runners and got in line near the back. (I recently developed a new philosophy that it is better to be near the back because the number of people passing you is not as discouraging.) I paced and jumped up and down a bit. I didn't have long to wait. I had planned it so I didn't have to stand out in the rain too long before it started.
We counted down and were on our way. There were a lot of runners. I started out really well. I had an excellent pace going. I picked out a couple people that I could match pace with..and that always helps. The course was a long stretch of road and then took the loop around Jefferson County Lake (We always call it Rigby Lake). The race was steady, but so was I.
Mile 1 came... Rigby High School students holding signs and cheering us on. They were real troopers standing in the rain. Around the lake I went...mile 2. I was feeling pretty good...then hit a wall. The wall that I seem to hit somewhere between mile 2 and 3. I was starting to feel it. I slowed a bit...and I walked a bit. I know there are people out there...that group of "runners" who think that walking at any time during a race is a shame. I am not one of those. Whatever keeps you moving forward to the end...whatever you have to do...there is no shame in walking.
With a combination of running with a little walking mixed in, I was in sight of the finish line. This is the part that I really love. My adrenalin starts to ramp up. I feel it kick in and I take off sprinting. I am happy to say I passed four people on my way to the finish line. I am even happier to say that after that sprint..I am guessing just over 100m..I left it all there. As I crossed over that line, I thought I was going to pass out. I walked over to grab a snack and a drink then walked off. I sat on the bleachers in the rain to cheer some of the others on. I went and got my results. I knew that it wasn't terrific, but I am not ashamed that my first race of the season I finished in 36:57.
I love the Heart and Sole 5K. This is the 3rd year they have held it, and the 3rd year I have run it. I look forward to it again next year (minus the rain). Until then, I will be looking forward to more races...bettering my body...my mind...and my times...hopefully.
Meanwhile here I type with my best friend by my side...goes by the name Icy Hot.
Chubby girl out.
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