One of the main reason's that Chris and Sweetpea attended this 5K is that Sweetpea wanted a chance to run too. She has heard me talk about running and seen me practice so she wanted to join in. Her wanting to join has made my heart glad. I would love for her to find joy in something as simple and wonderful as running at her age instead of at 32 like I did. Maybe, just maybe, if she starts now, she won't be struggling at age 33 to make it through a 5K in under 35 minutes.
Her race was to begin after mine ended but I still had Chris waiting in the wings if she needed someone to run with her(you really didn't think I was going to run another 0.5 miles after my own hellish 3.1 miles). While he is not a runner (he thinks I am psycho for running), he can manage a half mile if the occasion calls for it. The kids were all anxious to begin and when the race director called them to the starting line, they were there faster then you could bat an eyelash. They all lined up in classic race starting position (one foot in front of the other) some with parents but most without. After consulting Sweetpea, Dad did not have to run, and off she went to the lineup with a few hints from me. She had her foot right on that starting line and she was ready to go with a serious look on her face.
The race director got on his bike and got a head start before he yelled go and off the kids went. Sweetpea was doing well and keeping ahead of the pack but I was sure she was going to run out of steam before she reached the turn around. I quickly ran over to try and peer around the bend but I couldn't see her any longer. As the kids began to came back into view I first saw the 10 year old girl out in front (who just finished the 5K and beat me too) and the little boy (maybe 5) who's Mom kicked butt in the 5K finishing in 16 minutes (oh how I hate her). Then came Sweetpea, in 3rd place and going strong. As she got closer she slowed to a walk and I thought she was done, but she took my advice and after 5 or 6 steps, took off running again. She went ripping towards the finish line as fast as she could and crossed in a speedy 3:30.
She was so excited that she came in third and wanted to know what award she was getting since 1st,2nd, and 3rd always get awards - right? I had to explain to her that the kids all get the same award (a bag of candy in this case)but that she did a great job. We ended up staying around for the awards ceremony just in case but after baking in the sun for 15 minutes, she decided we could leave. I was relieved it went so well and I hope that she enjoys taking part in these races until she can run with me (and probably beat me) in the 5K races.
The family..
- Billie
- SouthEast, PA, United States
- This Blog is all about me and my life as a mom of a beautiful 9 year old and my dear husband who entertains me as much as my girl does.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
How I love to torture myself
This weekend I entered in another 5K race. There were two important differences in this one though. First, I would be running alone. My friend who always runs by my side was unable to attend since she just had surgery - I guess that's an excuse of sorts. This means that I had no one to stay with me as the rest of the pack runs swiftly by or to keep me motivated when I reach the point of exhaustion. The second thing that was different is that my family (Chris and Sweetpea) was attending as well. For some reason this induced a good set of nerves in me. I already knew I wasn't going to win and that I could only hope to finish well for me since I am not a fast runner. I run these races strictly for finishing them. Each race that I finish drives me forward in my quest to be in better shape. I know if I can run 3 miles today then maybe tomorrow I can do 4.
As the race started, I already regretted being there. It was a small field of runners (about 85) so I had an uncharacteristic spot near the starting line. I prefer to line up in the back of the field since I know 90% of the runners will pass me. In this race though, Sweetpea kept encouraging me to get close to the front so I could win. She wanted me to come in second since I told her there was no way Mommy was going to win the race. As we all took off the pace was fast as always and people were soon leaving me behind as the slower runners fell into their places.
At about a quarter mile in, I was tired and only my will kept me going forward. I was tired, the sun was beating down on me, and I really didn't feel like running. I vowed to make it past Chris and Sweetpea who were waiting for me at the bridge crossing and at least look like I was doing well.
Well I made it past the bridge and then I made it to the 1 mile mark in 10:10 (which is good for me). Now I just had to make the loop before I could head back for the finish line. At this point there were 2 women in front of me and no one behind me. I couldn't see anyone at all behind me and even though I knew someone was back there somewhere, the thought of coming in dead last was not pleasant. I just kept running hoping to do well and even if I came in last, I would know that I had tried. After I made the turn, there were no more splits to tell me my pace. There wasn't any water either (which I was very upset about, I count on that water station 1/2 way through the race). I headed back for the bridge where Sweetpea was waiting for me.
As I came across the river bridge, there is my beautiful girl hanging on the end of the bridge looking desperately for me with a very concerned look on her face. I took out one earphone so I could hear her and what words of encouragement do I hear? "Mommy, you're in last place!" Oh she is so sweet!
Chris gave me some much needed water and a smack on the butt along with an enthusiastic "Keep moving!" and they were off to the finish line to cheer me in. I only had about a half mile to go now and at this point I wasn't going to stop. I made it around the last few blocks and I headed for the finish line. As I came down the home stretch the other faster runners are there clapping for you and telling you what a good job you are doing. As I get to Chris he encourages me to sprint for the finish because I can make it in under 35 minutes if I hurry. I summoned up all the energy I had remaining in me and I sprinted as best I could to cross that line. My final time was a speedy 34:42:59. Yes, that 1/100th of a second is vital to my time! This was my fastest 5K yet and I am amazed at how far I have come since I started this quest. My first 5K in April I finished in 38:30 so I have cut almost 4 minutes off my time. Maybe by the end of next year I can be under 30 minutes - oh how happy would I be then!
As the race started, I already regretted being there. It was a small field of runners (about 85) so I had an uncharacteristic spot near the starting line. I prefer to line up in the back of the field since I know 90% of the runners will pass me. In this race though, Sweetpea kept encouraging me to get close to the front so I could win. She wanted me to come in second since I told her there was no way Mommy was going to win the race. As we all took off the pace was fast as always and people were soon leaving me behind as the slower runners fell into their places.
At about a quarter mile in, I was tired and only my will kept me going forward. I was tired, the sun was beating down on me, and I really didn't feel like running. I vowed to make it past Chris and Sweetpea who were waiting for me at the bridge crossing and at least look like I was doing well.
Well I made it past the bridge and then I made it to the 1 mile mark in 10:10 (which is good for me). Now I just had to make the loop before I could head back for the finish line. At this point there were 2 women in front of me and no one behind me. I couldn't see anyone at all behind me and even though I knew someone was back there somewhere, the thought of coming in dead last was not pleasant. I just kept running hoping to do well and even if I came in last, I would know that I had tried. After I made the turn, there were no more splits to tell me my pace. There wasn't any water either (which I was very upset about, I count on that water station 1/2 way through the race). I headed back for the bridge where Sweetpea was waiting for me.
As I came across the river bridge, there is my beautiful girl hanging on the end of the bridge looking desperately for me with a very concerned look on her face. I took out one earphone so I could hear her and what words of encouragement do I hear? "Mommy, you're in last place!" Oh she is so sweet!
Chris gave me some much needed water and a smack on the butt along with an enthusiastic "Keep moving!" and they were off to the finish line to cheer me in. I only had about a half mile to go now and at this point I wasn't going to stop. I made it around the last few blocks and I headed for the finish line. As I came down the home stretch the other faster runners are there clapping for you and telling you what a good job you are doing. As I get to Chris he encourages me to sprint for the finish because I can make it in under 35 minutes if I hurry. I summoned up all the energy I had remaining in me and I sprinted as best I could to cross that line. My final time was a speedy 34:42:59. Yes, that 1/100th of a second is vital to my time! This was my fastest 5K yet and I am amazed at how far I have come since I started this quest. My first 5K in April I finished in 38:30 so I have cut almost 4 minutes off my time. Maybe by the end of next year I can be under 30 minutes - oh how happy would I be then!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Faux pas and more..
How has technology and the Internet changed our lives? Here are 2 examples...
The other day we were leaving a parking lot and Chris (DH) did something stupid. I would tell you in detail what it was but as soon as he realized it, he made me promise I wouldn't blog it. I of course laughed and said "Well I'm going to blog you saying that!"
The worst faux pas of the week belonged to me and I am of course going to share it anyway. I really can't be more embarrassed then I already was when it occurred.
I was asked to present at a meeting that I used to be a regular attendee to, but I haven't gone since I was promoted. I am very familiar with the majority of the people there but there are also many new faces. The atmosphere there is always one of joking around and good natured fun even though the participants have changed. Before I could begin the training I was presenting, there was general discussion of a new(less then 3 months with us) girl that abruptly left the company. She was a very young (22) and very attractive blond Russian immigrant (so she had the sexy look and accent to go with the sexy name). One of the men(Mr Funny) that supports the same area she did jokingly said "She must have left because she was tired of me leering at her all day, along with the rest of the building." We all laughed and moved on with the meeting.
After the meeting I returned to my desk and I wanted to share this story with my friend and co-worker who also used to be a regular attendee. I opened up the IM function we have for office use and clicked on what I thought was her name (starts with a J) and instead I clicked on the name of Mr Funny who made the comment (also starts with a J). I then typed out the whole story before hitting enter. You can imagine my surprise when the reply I received was from Mr Funny instead of my girlfriend. I was mortally embarrassed and had to tell him who I intended to send it to and why. Luckily for me, he has a great sense of humor and I didn't say anything offensive (imagine if I had said something like "That Mr Funny is such an a@@hole"). Even so my face was as deep of a shade of red as you can get!
I learned my lesson from this and I will be paying closer attention to what I click prior to hitting Go. It could have been worse, I think I got off easy on this one!
Have any of you ever made this type of mistake?
Ever been told - you can't blog this because they didn't want everyone to know about an incident even though we all do stupid things?
The other day we were leaving a parking lot and Chris (DH) did something stupid. I would tell you in detail what it was but as soon as he realized it, he made me promise I wouldn't blog it. I of course laughed and said "Well I'm going to blog you saying that!"
The worst faux pas of the week belonged to me and I am of course going to share it anyway. I really can't be more embarrassed then I already was when it occurred.
I was asked to present at a meeting that I used to be a regular attendee to, but I haven't gone since I was promoted. I am very familiar with the majority of the people there but there are also many new faces. The atmosphere there is always one of joking around and good natured fun even though the participants have changed. Before I could begin the training I was presenting, there was general discussion of a new(less then 3 months with us) girl that abruptly left the company. She was a very young (22) and very attractive blond Russian immigrant (so she had the sexy look and accent to go with the sexy name). One of the men(Mr Funny) that supports the same area she did jokingly said "She must have left because she was tired of me leering at her all day, along with the rest of the building." We all laughed and moved on with the meeting.
After the meeting I returned to my desk and I wanted to share this story with my friend and co-worker who also used to be a regular attendee. I opened up the IM function we have for office use and clicked on what I thought was her name (starts with a J) and instead I clicked on the name of Mr Funny who made the comment (also starts with a J). I then typed out the whole story before hitting enter. You can imagine my surprise when the reply I received was from Mr Funny instead of my girlfriend. I was mortally embarrassed and had to tell him who I intended to send it to and why. Luckily for me, he has a great sense of humor and I didn't say anything offensive (imagine if I had said something like "That Mr Funny is such an a@@hole"). Even so my face was as deep of a shade of red as you can get!
I learned my lesson from this and I will be paying closer attention to what I click prior to hitting Go. It could have been worse, I think I got off easy on this one!
Have any of you ever made this type of mistake?
Ever been told - you can't blog this because they didn't want everyone to know about an incident even though we all do stupid things?
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