Luck of the Irish!

Well, I DID IT!  I took part in my first ever 5K race.  Noticed I said "took part in" instead of "raced a 5K"!  I was shooting for the finish line and that is where I ended up.  I have never participated in a 5K before so I was a little nervous, but I suckered  asked Jenn in running it with me!  It was a later race, 7pm on a Thursday, so it was still a little warm, but with nothing to loose we headed to the starting line and waiting for our signal to go.

Jenn and I posing for our pre-race photo

 
It was a pretty easy start and then the hill came!  And I do mean BIG hill, after that was over with and I was thankful to be still moving, a sign popped up promising a water stop.  Well, two things were wrong with this in hindsight.  One, the sign was placed WAAAY to early because the water "stop" was another good 1/2 mile up the road, however I guess that is what kept me going until that point.  Two, water "stop"=misleading.  There was no stopping, it was grab your cup and keep running while drinking what seemed like a tablespoon of water.  See, here's the issue with that, on Saturday mornings we STOP for water, that way I can relax, stretch, talk and drink.  Well, not on race day!  Then it was down the hill around the corner and up another huge hill (I never realized all the hills in Ohio until I started running!).  Anyway, I followed Jenn's lead and we made it up and down and to the finish line!  I was never so glad to see a huge blue finish sign, I was so focused that I had no clue Russ, Mackenzie and the Benders were on the sideline right before the finish line.  I guess that is the focus of a "runner".  Anywho, I ran my fastest time yet, 11'30" pace and a finish time of 36:07!  Whew!

Focused to the end

We are the Champions.....well almost! 

The Official Kelley Doyle Fan Club!

 
Glad I did it, I definitely learned some things and am looking forward to some more 5K's before October rolls around!! 

Do you think it is easier knowing the route before a race to mentally prepare for it?  Or just go with the element of surprise so you aren't expecting what is coming next?