As I wrote last night, I was having some mental barriers to doing a 5K tonight without a swarm of supportive people to finish it with me like during my first 5K. I was also slightly worried about the new medicine I am on for my edema in my legs, as it can cause muscle cramps. It was really cold (in the mid to high 30’s) all day and rainy. At one point, there was some sleet! Hubs called me around 3pm asking if I still wanted to do it. Uh, of course!!!
I got home from work and threw on some layers, including a Bondi Band, which conveniently not only holds the hair back, but provided some protection to my ears.
Hubs threw on some layers also and after looking at the weather radar, he decided it would be dry enough to bring the pup. We dressed her up too.
I think hubs was a bit resistant, but he didn’t show it. I admit, if I didn’t set this as a goal for myself, I wouldn’t want to go out in the rainy, cold night before Thanksgiving and walk. I love my pup, but she gets distracted, especially with other dogs and people wanting to pet her. He agreed he’d start in the back of the pack and walk her, while I could try to jump off closer to the front.
I left my camera in the car as I didn’t want to haul it, plus didn’t want to stop to take pictures. My favorite part of the lights was in the first mile of the course- the 12 days of Christmas in lights. After the 2 mile marker was another favorite, the lit animated horse jumping a fence. It was just fun to be in the dark running (um, walking) past the lights. It was calming in a weird way. Got to clear my head and just focus on getting to the end.
We were running a little late to the race, so we got to the starting line right as it was going off. I didn’t even have a second to check my watch for what time it was. There weren’t any race clocks, and I really thought I was going to be over 60 minutes. I started off strong for the first mile or so, which was uphill. I started slowing down around mile 1.5 and then tried to pick it up with a little jogging around mile 2. But mile 2-3 just felt so slow. I was moving as fast as I could, but some walkers from behind me started to catch up.
There was this one girl, probably about 12, that looked like my niece. We started at the same time (her mom was behind us) and she would RUN to get ahead and then walk. I would then catch up. Then she would RUN again, and then I would pass her. I wasn’t doing it intentionally, but after a while thought she was like the rabbit I was chasing.
At around 2.5 miles, my legs were cramping as I had feared. Out of nowhere, this lady with 3 scotties powerwalked right past me. I used her pace to try to make it to the end of the course. I just wanted to finish by now and go ahead and get upset over my 60+ minute time I was sure I had. (official time from my first 5K was 59:20). Unlike the first 5K, I had a pumping playlist that I tried to keep the pace with. I think it helped.
When scottie-lady and I turned the corner into the parking lot, I finally saw the finish line. The clock was blurry, and I swore I thought I saw a 6 at the beginning of the number. As in slow Emmie 60+ minute pace before I even hit the last tenth of a mile. I decided to go ahead and just jog to the end. As I got closer and closer, I saw *gasp* it wasn’t a 6! It was a 4! There was a 4 at the beginning!!!
As I got closer, I saw the 4 change to a 5, but I was still excited. I jogged on through the timer and told the guys “Wow! That’s over 8 minutes off my last time! I’ve lost 88 pounds!” I just blurted it out. No filter, just pure proud. They each gave me a high 5 and I turned in my chip. I don’t remember the exact time, but it was somewhere like 50:30. I’ll check to see if the official times are up Friday. But still, at least 8 minutes off my first time on July 17!!! When I did a 5K on the treadmill at the gym with Trainer Rob on October 9, my time was 57:20, and that included a complete mental breakdown, tears included.
This is why I do it.
I know a 50 minute plus 5k is super slow, but for me, it’s amazing. 455 pounds of Emmie could never even finish a 60+ minute 5K, nor would her mind allow her to even consider it!
Hubs ended up unknowingly taking a shortcut when he was following the crowd of walkers in the back. They cut through at about mile 2.5. He wasn’t too happy to hear that he didn’t complete the course! It was kind of funny. He decided he wants to do our own 5K once a month in the park that backs up to our house. I really appreciated his gusto!
We came home and assembled the Christmas tree. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving tomorrow! We’re not celebrating with the family until Friday (hubs has to work 2nd shift tomorrow- boo!), so I will spend the day decorating the tree and the house. Maybe will do some reading.
