First 5K Recap
Posted: April 16, 2011 at 1:38 pmI did it! I did it! I did it!!
And you can safely say that I will race again. I understand the hype and addiction to running and racing even more now. So. Much. Fun!!!
First, let’s back up though. Friday night I made sure to do as much prep work as possible. I packed up stuff for the kiddos to spend the morning with their grandma. I laid out all the things I needed. I pulled out the trusty boob pump. What? You don’t have to do a pumping session as part of your race morning prep? Lucky.
Then, I hit the hay by 9 pm to be up and at ‘em by 5 am. I checked the weather, got dressed, and ate my breakfast – whole wheat English muffin with peanut butter and half a chocolate chip cookie dough Larabar.
I can’t remember the last time I ate breakfast at 5:30 am. So early!
We made it to the race venue at around 6:45. The nerves and excitement had started setting in by this point. Shortly after getting there, I met up with Lee, which helped calm me down a bit..
We walked around, took our bathroom break, and chatted before heading to the start line. Then, suddenly, the time had come and we were off. I made sure to follow all of your advice and keep a steadier pace for my first mile. I finished my first mile at an 8:26 pace and felt great. From there, I decided to pick it up a little bit and hit mile 2 with an 8:10 pace. When I noticed that I was only at 16:36, the thought of finishing under 26:00 as a possibility hit me. I could barely believe it! And I knew I wanted to give my all and see what would happen.
When I had about a 1/2 mile left, I started feeling pretty tired. I could see the final turn up ahead and told myself I could do anything for just a few more minutes. I kept going. I just went for it and ran.
25:12!!!!! I did NOT know I had that in me. Seriously. No clue. It felt so amazing to cross that finish line and see Stacy and Kristy there cheering me on. I could not find Peter, but just knowing he was there meant the world to me too. I turned in my time slip and then headed to the finish line to cheer Lee on as she came up. Lee accomplished her goal of PR’ing which was awesome to see.
After the race, we chatted a bit more with Stacy & Kristy before they had to head off for the 10K portion. Then, I grabbed some snacks – a mini smoothie cup, some Starbucks coffee, a mini coffee cake and mini brownie.
Hey, I can’t turn down free food. Peter, Lee, & I decided to hang out for the raffles and awards too. Lee won a Brita water bottle prize pack.
We were both really hoping for the random umbrella and Clorox bucket of supplies they were giving away though. 😉 Ha!
Suddenly it was time for the awards for the various age groups. Peter & I almost left before this, but I wanted to stay a bit more to chat with Lee before heading out. I’m glad I did because guess what? I placed third in the women’s 25-29 age group! Ummmm…how?! I was literally in shock.
And excited for the totally unexpected surprise. Talk about a great first race! Even though I know not every race will end like this one (or even close!), I still look forward to many future races. This may have been the first, but certainly won’t be the last.
- What was a “fitness high” you felt recently?
- Check out Lee’s, Kristy’s, and Stacy’s blogs to say hello and hear their recaps! They are awesome blog friends!
Tags: 5K race, blog friends, running
Congrats, Tina. 🙂 That’s a fantastic accomplishment!
WELL DONE!! That time is AMAZING and I can’t believe you placed on your first race?! Brilliant!! You are AWESOME Tina- I knew you would rock it!! 😀
Awesome! You did it and FAST!
You killed that race! So proud of the accomplishments you’ve made recently – and you pulled it off, making it look EASY 🙂
I hope your running high lasts all day!
aw, YAY! congrats on an exciting finish and placement!! I *LOVE* that feeling, I hope it sticks with you all week or longer! 🙂
while I have yet to feel the actual HIGH again from running this time, I know I’ll get it back. it’s been easier with each run to quickly get into my breathing rhythm, so that’s exciting for me!
have a FABULOUS weekend! congrats again, Tina! so very excited for you!
CONGRATS!!! You did absolutely amazing. I am so proud of you!
congrats, you should be so proud that’s amazing! Such a great accomplishment!
I felt a fitness high this morning when jntan 9 miles, a PDR.
Oh,and a pump is totally part of my running prep!!
CONGRATULATIONS! You had an awesome time, and I’m glad that you enjoyed the race:)
Congrats!
Congrats!! That’s amazing! You may not have known you had it in you but all your readers did. What a wonderful show of what hard work, dedication, and being kind to your body can accomplish.
So happy for you! I definitely agree runner’s highs are addictive. I had a pretty good one yesterday when I ran 8 miles which is the longest I have run in a very long time. I can’t wait for my race in June. (I think I might do another one sooner so I can get that high!)
Many congrats enjoy your accomplishment! 🙂
I am SO proud of you for running so fast! Especially just after having a baby : ) You go girl!
Tina great job!!!!! And you got an award and everything. I’m so happy for you!
WOW that is SO amazing!! Congratulations!! That’s an incredible time, and just three months after having a baby?! Inspirational, seriously. You should be so proud of yourself…I’m proud FOR you!!
I bet you feel estatic! Way to go! QUITE the accomplishment!
WOW!! That is an amazing first race!! Congratulations Tina!!
They do get addicting. 🙂
Wow! Amazing! I’ve never come close to that! Congrats!
Wow! Congrats Tina! What an awesome run!!!!
Giiirl! 25 minutes is such an awesome time! <3!
Ah congrats! That’s awesome 🙂 My high was my first race and I definitely understood the addiction after that. I immediately signed up for another! The environment is so much fun.
yayy!! awesome job!!
Nice work Tina! Congrats on finishing your first race and getting a super fast time! 🙂
You are a rock star. Congrats on a fabulous first 5k and awesome time/place. Super inspirational Tina, Way to go!
Congratulations on an amazingly amazing first race! That’s the way to start your career in running! 🙂
Congratulations!! The smile on your face in every single picture says it all!!! 🙂
Congratulations Tina! I knew you would do well! I am just so happy for you.
WOW! Congrats Tina! What an amazing first race experience & time! 🙂
Oh my goodness! CONGRATS!!!!!
Congrats on your first race! You look so happy in the pictures – enjoy the racing high.
Are you sure this was your first 5K? Brilliant!
So great!!!! CONGRATS!!! I keep debating a %k and seeing what a great first experience you had really makes me want to do it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Congrats on an amazing race! I can’t believe that is your first 5K ever – my 5K PR (after running 10 others) is 25:05! Keep up the great work, speedy! 😛
Congratulations!! What an awesome first race! I just love your big smile in that last picture. It says it all. 🙂
ahhhhhhhhhh! That is SO exciting! Congrats! Very happy for you :)Great time and way to place! Whoop whoop!
Way to go!! That time is amazing!
Wow! I’m so impressed–congratulations!!!
Way to go Tina!! Glad to hear you had such a great race!
Honestly, when I got on the scale for my pre-cleanse weigh-in and I had finally broken the 25 pound weight loss plateaus I had been at for so long. On actual working out the fact that I can now do 5 good push-ups is amazing to me. Granted they are girly ones, but I will take it.
Way to go!
Girl you were smokin’ fast! ‘m honestly surprised you didn’t place higher in your age group (If you raced that time here, you’d win the age group because this isn’t a big running community). Congratulations- you really trained hard and prepared big time for this and totally deserve it… I hope the rest of your weekend is awesome too :).
A.L.
How fun!! Good for you girly, and placing to boot! That’s gotta tell you that you are definitely a runner!!
Congratulations! I am so excited for you! Awesome first 5k!
You. Are. Awesome!! Congratulations on your first 5K!! That is an amazing time!! You deserved it. You have been working really hard. I am so glad you are going to continue racing, it really is a great sport! 🙂 Love all your posts by the way! I think you are a very inspiring woman!
That is AWESOME!! Congrats!
I read this smiling- I am so happy for you! Great job!
Congrats! Way to set the bar high for your first race 🙂
I knew you would do great, but you really did GREAT! 🙂
Congratulations!! 😀
Congratulations Faith, this is absolutely amazing!
Love your new blog layout too.
Congratulations on your first race!
CONGRATS! You’re a speed demon!
Oh my goodness! That is so amazing! SO proud of you!!!!