A Southern State Of Mind: Corporate Run!

I finally did it! I ran an official 5k! WOOHOO!

I've been wanting to run one for awhile now and all the ones that have been around here have interfered with work. So when this one came around- I jumped on it! :D

John and I signed up for it MONTHS ago- plenty of time to get in shape. Ha. I hurt my back and have not been able to run a lot lately. BUT I pumped out the run anyway:D

John and I left UM around 4:45 and with part of the registration fee we got Metrorail tickets to take downtown. It was nice to not have to drive and get caught in traffic, but boy were the trains packed! It also took forever to get home. :( but that's okay:D

When we got down there we ate a snack and took some pictures and got ready for the race. Since it was a walk/run there was a start for each. Nobody really followed the signs so lining up was insane. There were over 22,000 people there and I wasnt sure how we were going to be able to run. The race started at 6:50 when the gun went off and we got to the start line about 15 minutes later. After that I decided to just start running through people. It was rough for the first little ways, but then it was easier to manage to run around and through people. John is a sweetheart and ended up just staying with me instead of trying to fight through all the people. I know I slowed him way down, but it meant the world to me that he did the race next to me :D Towards the end he really had to encourage me not to walk :D Good man. Anyway, the run was really pretty! I was so focused on running though that I missed a lot of the scenery. haha maybe next time.

Anyway, I finished in 41:57- not a great time, but I did manage to run the entire thing, albeit slow. So, I am proud of myself!!! After the race, UM fed us dinner (again, part of the registration fee I'm sure) and then we headed home.

I had a lot of fun. I think I will do a race that big again though- too many people. I am super proud of myself.

As most of you know, this is something that I have wanted to do for awhile. I started running initially lose weight, however I never stick to anything because I get so bored. However, we got a dog which also helped- why walk Carter when I could run and be done sooner and he'll be more tired? but ultimately, I decided I wanted to do it for my dad. I thought it would be neat to run each year in honor of him. Ever since he had a stroke he was in a wheelchair and couldnt walk. I know that if he could he would have wanted to get up and run and stretch those legs out! So, I thought in my own little way I could do this for him each year. It also just happened to be right around his birthday! So perfect timing:D This run was for you daddy, Happy Birthday! I LOVE YOU!

Arriving at our tent