My first 5k!

I've never been the athletic type. In high school, when we were required to play sports in gym, I would stand in the back and next one of the athletic girls so they could jump on the ball instead of me. It was a win/win situation, I could goof off and talk to my friends and she would get all the glory. However, now that I'm all grown up, it seems I'm exercising on my own time and, get this, for FUN. WTF? Who am I? 

A while back, I was updating my blog weekly with my fitness goals but I dropped the ball and quit telling you guys about my C25K progress. There's no rhyme or reason why I didn't keep y'all in the loop other than I just, didn't. Forgive me? Good. Moving on.

Three months ago, I got it in my head to try the C25K program, as part of my weight loss regimen and to further motivate myself, I signed up for a 5K race. The first two weeks were brutal and I didn't think I could do it. I had zero endurance and shin splints were my new best friend. But after the third week, I had an epiphany, I was enjoying what I was doing. Running gave me time to clear my head, it gave me thirty minutes to myself and just my thoughts. It gave me a goal. Come hell or high water, I was determined to make it through a 5K without dying and this weekend, I did it. My awesome brother in-law accompanied me and I made him snap a pic with his cell phone before we headed out to the starting line.

I obviously should have worn a hat. Hello forehead glare.

For those who don't know how long a 5K actually is, it's around 3.106 miles. (And no, didn't know that either until I googled it before my race, so there.) The race started promptly at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and it was pouring down rain. Standing at the starting line with the "runners," was an amazing feeling. Everyone was pumped up and it was contagious. I couldn't help but have an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. This is what I had worked so hard for, this is it, I'm here. With 800 other people, the gun shot rang out and we were off. Of course, I fell behind others, as expected, but I knew I needed to keep my slow pace or I would get burnt out. I ran the entire first half of the course but ended up power walking a giant hill in the middle.

There were people stationed at different intervals telling runners which direction to go and let me tell you, seeing them standing with their umbrellas, cheering us on was pretty awesome. It's completely different than running at home in my neighborhood or on the treadmill at the gym. These folks, whether they know it or not, are the ones got me through the 5K. Them and my awesome-sauce brother in-law.

My brother in-law, Romeo, told me months ago that if I signed up for a 5k, he would run it too. By God, he kept his word and even though he finished ahead of me by 8 or so minutes, he came back and waited for me about a half a mile from the finish line. How awesome was it of him to run that last leg of the race with me? Beyond words amazing. My power song came on, Dog Days are Over by Florence and the Machine, and I picked up my pace, sprinting down the last hill with my broski by my side.

Seriously, I can't believe I finished without dying, puking, or spraining an ankle. By the time I crossed the finish line, rain was dripping down my face, my feet and socks were soaking wet and I could feel sweat pooling inside my elbows. (How's that for a visual?) And you know what else? It felt fan-fucking-tastic.

It's not about looks people, I tried to warn you. 

A huge thank you to this guy for carrying my slow ass across the finish line. I can't wait to find out my official time the next few days. One thing is for sure though, I wasn't last.