Sweating Saturday

A few weeks ago I was looking on the strictly running website to find what races where in our area. My goal is to do one race a month. Being that I did one in April and May June was the month I was looking for. The first one I spotted that wasn't too far our home was the 5 Miler Race. I've never ran 5 miles in a race but I have during training. My main goal for the year is to run a 10K which is 6.1 miles so I thought this was a good start.

Ray did the honors of signing me up for the 5 Miler Race in Sumter, SC. The race began at 8am, which meant we had to leave by 6:15am to get there in time to get my packet and to stretch before the race began. After receiving my packet I started to get nervous. Seeing everyone that had registered to run it was easy to point out the fast runners but harder to pick out the average runners. During my run I try to pick out people I can stick with or at least pick someone I can run with so its not as bad as running alone.

It was 8am and the race began with an older gentleman saying "Ready Set Go", all the fast runners were in the front with me and they zipped right by leaving me in the dust. Seeing everyone pass me it was hard to keep up with them but I tried to set a pace so I wouldn't get too tired. The first 2.5 miles felt good. I stopped once for 30 seconds to get a breath and then got started again. I got to the 3 mile mark in 28 minutes, seeing that I knew I was doing well but wasn't sure if I could keep it going for 2 more miles. I kept going and noticed this fellow stopped running and I waved him to come on you can do it. And he began running again. As he got closer to me I asked him "Can you run with me" and he replied with yes. I was relieved. It pushes me and helps me if I have someone running by my side. After the 4 mile mark I wanted to stop but this fellow said "no I see the light at the end" so I kept running even though I thought I was gonna die I kept trucking
along.

Prior to running this race my goal was to be beat an hour, then was to be between 50-55 minutes then was to beat 50 minutes. As I made that last corner to the finish line I saw the time clock reading 48 minutes and some change. I was relieved I made it and instantly made myself run faster to meet my goal.  The fellow behind me was still there but I crossed the finish line first at 49:35. I was relived the race was over and that I conquered my goal!

We waited for the results to come in to see where I placed. I had hoped for a medal yet again but being that this was my first 5 mile race that didn't happen. I was in the top 13 in my age group. After seeing how the fast runners get their awards it was time to get breakfast.

Our breakfast stop was The Waffle House, this has been our ritual after each race. I was energized and hungry. Ray on the other hand was just waking up but yet was still hungry too. We each ordered our entrees and enjoyed every bite.

Till my next race! Wish me luck!