I fell asleep last night with Zevan just after 9 PM, and woke up around 4:15 AM.  I worked on updating pictures on the boys’ websites, then started taking a leisurely, relaxing shower…
Mama!  Mama!  Zevan woke up at 6:15 AM, when I was right in the middle of my shower.  He whined the whole time I finished up.     So much for calm preparations for the race. 

After my shower, he wanted to eat, so I put him the high chair with a bowl of Special K Red Berries and milk so I could get dressed.  In order to leave, I had to plop him in front of Thomas the Tank Engine show (Doug was still in bed).  He usually sleeps until at least 7:30 AM, so I don’t know what was up with him this morning.  Apparently, he was inconsolable the first 45 minutes I was gone “Mama, come back!” he kept repeating.

Tiffany picked me up this morning at 7 AM.    So early…

It was so cold this morning that I had on 3 layers plus gloves when we got to the parking lot.    I decided to take off the third layer and keep the gloves.

We met up with May and her friend Kris, and hopped on the shuttle bus to the starting line.  We got our race packets, pinned on our numbers, and got in line for the port-a-potties.  I ran into my friend Lanel and her husband.  I also saw Kim (another West Side Mom) before the race.

May and Tiffany did a little warm up jog.  I just walked a bit and stretched my shins, calves and hamstrings.  I ditched the gloves before the race.  I was mostly worried about the wet pavement.  I *really* didn’t want to slip and fall.

Bang!  We were off!  The first stop sign came up suprisingly fast.  That first big hill, as expected, was the worst.  I fast-walked up the last bit of it, from the main parking lot to around the corner.

The course seemed to go by faster because of all the people distracting me.  I hit mile marker 1 at 11:11 according to my heart monitor (I also averaged about 175 BPM – way high!).

About halfway through the second mile, my shins started to ache.     I walked for a little bit.  Yowch!  I was getting nervous that I wouldn’t be able to finish the race.  I plodded on, running as much as I could.  There was a little jog out and back on the second fork of the course.  It was uphill for about a tenth of a mile.   I hit the second mile marker at 22:47 (avg 170 BPM)

The third mile is a blur of pain for me…my shins really hurt…the cadence now was “ow, ow, ow” with every step.  I fast walked up the hill by the south parking lot.  I remember looking at my heart monitor sometime after 26 minutes, thinking, “Oh, May and Tiffany are already done by now.”  I ran on the downhill, got to the last turn, and I could hear the music from the stands.

“Let’s get ready to rumble…”  doo doo doo deh deh deh doo doo doo doo deh deh deh doo doo doo doo…

My heart monitor said 29:something.  I really wanted to finish close to my St Pat’s 5K time of 32:31.  So I ran my little heart out.  I passed the woman with the squeaky sneaker.  I passed the bearded guy in shorts.  “Run, run, run!” I said to myself (and possibly out loud, I’m not sure).

As I passed the clock, it said 32:something !!!     Woo hoo!

When I got to the little gate where they take down your number, the woman in front of me stopped running cold.  I almost ran into her.  Silly woman!  I called out my number to the guy writing them down.  I don’t know how that all works, but if that woman cost me precious seconds, I’m going to be irritated 

May and Tiffany finished right around 26:something and they were waiting for me, eating bagels and oranges.  I was so psyched to tell them my time!  Woo hoo!!!  They were so excited and encouraging.     I felt really great!  My friend Lanel finished shortly after me, and then I saw Kim right after that. 

May took off with her friend Kris to hike the incline   Crazy woman!

After chatting and some wonderful cinnamon bagels from Panera, Tiffany and I got on the bus back to the parking lot.  On the way home, we hit the Starbucks drive thru for a treat  .

All in all, it was really great!  I’m so glad I did it, and I’m so happy that I finished in the time that I did. 

I still don’t enjoy running.    I just really like the way I feel after I do it. 

I need new shoes.  My shins only started hurting the last few weeks, so I’m sure that’s the problem.   

Oh, and we went to the zoo after I got home, so I got even more walking in.    I’m beat, but I feel very accomplished.  And glad it’s over