Run Forrest!

So this morning was my first 5k in 4 years. I woke up feeling pretty good, but a little nervous. It's only 3.2 miles...not a big deal. I made some coffee and used vanilla protein powder as my creamer. That was a worse idea than it sounds. I know, it sounds like a great idea. It's not.

The race was to help a family whose father and husband is battling stage IV esophageal cancer. According to the race website, the course was to be "flat and fast", and it was, which I was thankful for.

My goal was to finish the race in 23:30. I run around here at a 24:30 pace and my local route has a couple of killer hills. So I figured a flat course, with people pacing me, should be able to do it in a minute less time. I found what could turn into one of my favorite pastimes...watching people stretch before a race. We all looked ridiculous. It reminded me of Ben Still in the Disney cult classic, Heavyweights; "come here you devil log!"

So I stretched and ran the race. It was complete with cheerleaders and everything, and I even spilled Gatorade down my face halfway through! Well I ran the race in 22:45 which was a big surprise to me, but I am definitely pleased with the results.

I am looking forward to the next race that I run. I don't know when that will be but maybe I can do it in 22:44!