RAN MY FIRST 5k tonight! Blog/day = Day2, Dec2

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So, I had wanted to run my first 5k in 2010. There was one locally Thanksgiving weekend, but as a fundraiser for arthritis, cost $25, and the weather wasn't great, and I just didn't feel prepared.

Nothing really changed today, except this one was free (except canned good donation to local food bank), and was the last one of the year. Plus it had sounded pretty ("run through the lights": www.kalamazooarearunners
.com/2010RunThroughTheLigh
ts.html and family members who had been downtown said it was pretty when they had been there, and I hadn't seen it yet this year (they have some very nice lights..the kind that have a moving float thing, and the main little park downtown is all decorated...I did a 'Rocky' through the candy-cane lane, lol).

So, yesterday, I looked up the date (I thought it was Friday night), and realized it was today, Thursday. This afternoon, I thought about wussing out, but really wanted to have done it (different than wanting to do it, lol), so ate some good protein, got a bunch of layers for my top, and went. I actually showed up a little late, but got a parking spot RIGHT in front of Gazelle, and people were just running by, so I checked in (the guy told me to fill out the reg form when I got back) and I hit the road. Lots of young, swift gazelle-like folks flew by, and I jogged gingerly along the edge of the icy sidewalk, in the bits that were slightly less icy, as if the salt had melted ice along the margins. So I went slowly. Many ran into the road, but I was wearing a black over-jacket, and wanted to stay safe in the dark. After awhile, I mostly ran by myself as all the gazelles had leapt forward. But that was okay...just reminded me of running alone, and at all the intersections, there was a kind face of a race volunteer. As I pulled toward the park, I was one of the last ones, along with a couple who were running together. I didn't want to run twice around the park, so I cut through it, which was really more enjoyable (see Rocky ref. above). At this point, I slowed down and then walked through half of it, and enjoyed it with the families that and couples that were milling around, enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Once out, I started running again after the street light, up to the end, which ended up being very close. The cheering of the greeters made me feel good, as did the 'party' atmosphere at the finish. They had hot chocolate (provided by The Confectioner Bake Shoppe next door) and bananas, and people were shopping at the running and outdoor sports store that had organized it. Inside, I found out the time: 7:15 pm so I estimate I ran it in about 40 min, so pretty good, considering it was icy. After awhile, across the way, there was a raffle drawing along with Santa and crafts for the kids. I waited around for awhile, and went back to the running store and picked up local running literature (apparently there's a mini-event on 1-1-11, and in May there's a local marathon and half-marathon), and then back across and outside to the drawing, but since I didn't know anyone, I opted to head home. The main thing I thought about while running was the ice, and I kept envisioning posting this blog :D :) :D

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The decor downtown, especially in the park, was festive:
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • vSILLYHP1953
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    What a wonderful day you had, and you stayed upright on the ice! I'm going to do a 5k walk sometime next year, something I've never done. I'm not going to have a goal of running yet.

    3902 days ago
  • vSTEINERMOM
    Good for you! What an accomplishment! My husband ran his first 5K at Thanksgiving. I walked it with my daughter. It always feels good to meet the goals that we set for ourselves.

    Are you in Kalamazoo MI? I am in MI as well. Keep up the good work!
    3906 days ago
  • vSPARKNB
    Thanks everyone! I just wanted to get it off my 'bucket' list, and now I'm feeling like I may do more! :)
    3907 days ago
  • vGREEKGAL1
    Way to go on finishing your first 5K. Hope you have many more enjoyable races in your future.
    3908 days ago
  • vSKINNYPOWELL1
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    Congrats on completing your first 5K, totally awesome.
    3908 days ago
  • vMOVINITMORE
    You did emoticon !! I love the attitude in your writing about running alone.
    Guess what it's all about completing not competing!!
    You should be proud it's a wonderful accomplishment.
    I'm glad my blog helped you there have been several that have helped me.
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    3908 days ago
  • vTBABY912
    that's wonderful! emoticon emoticon
    3908 days ago
  • vLOVESTODJ
    Congrats to you!
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    3908 days ago
  • vJEWITCH
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    3908 days ago
  • vCINDYLOOHOO589
    Congratulations, I admire you determination.
    3908 days ago

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