I run to run, not to win the race

Jessica Davis and me ready to race!

I find myself being reminded I need to be more in shape every time I try to be more athletic, or just fit. I ran the Run Walk Roll 5k benefiting United Cerebral Palsy of North Texas and did ok, could have been better. I ran it in 35:36 minutes. Not bad for a person that hasn't run since April but really, is that a good time me? Uh, no. It's not my worst time for a 5k this year, that was the Dash for the Beads 5K in February when it took me 37:21 to finish. But it wasn't my best time either. And I hurt.

It was hot yesterday, probably already in the upper 80's if not 90 by the time we started and the humidity was thick. Weather can either help you or hurt you and it definitely hurt me yesterday. There is something about heat and humdity that are GOOD in Bikram Yoga and BAD for running.

I started off ok, felt pretty good and made it to mile 1 at 10:50. I walked for a bit, ran to the water station at 1.5 miles and really felt exhausted. I just couldn't breathe. I knew the course, it was the same one we ran for the Butterfly race so I knew there was a hill coming up. I could see lots of people walking up...I was set on running it. Just keep going, that is what I told myself....and if someone had been running with me that made me, I probably would have kept going but about 2/3 of the way up, I was like "forget it!" I'm walking. I rounded the corner and picked it up, knowing there was a water station right as we hit the Katy Trail.

The whole time I was on the Katy Trail I just chanted to myself, "you can do it, you are almost there", "don't stop", "just keep going", "stay focused", "keep your mind on the task". Whatever I could do to motivate myself to keep running. It was hard. I have to say, a 5k to me should be a simple run, one I should be able to do at the drop of a hat and man, it was rough. I sweated like a race horse, maybe as much as my marathon!

It Me after the race, soaked in my own sweat, dying for some water.

I finally made it to mile 3 and saw the balloons at the finish line...picked up the pace and sprinted in. I was the 192nd person to finish out of 337, at 35:36 I beat my goal. My goal, knowing I hadn't run in months was to run it under 36 minutes. So goal achieved. I wonder what would have happened if my goal had been under 35? Ah, there is always next time.