I did it ... Again!

Lindsey and I finished!

Before the Veteran's Day 5K

Finish Line

I just finished running a 5K race. I know that many people don't think this is a big deal, but I think it is a big deal for me. 2 months ago I couldn't run half a K. I was doing my weight loss thing and didn't ever want to go on a treadmill. I lost the beginning weight by going on the elliptical. I was in a meeting and my boss encouraged everyone to run and do the best we could. He was an army officer and encouraging the sergeants to exercise more. At that time I started using the treadmill, and everyone knows how much I hate that. I ran and walked a mile, then two miles. I even did 3 miles until someone told me two miles was good enough. About that time my oldest daughter, Lindsey, told me she wanted to start running 5Ks and then 10Ks and asked if I would do it with her. I don't like to run, but wanted to do something with my daughter, so I told her I would try. We had planned on doing the Turkey Trot in San Jose on Thanksgiving. I researched it on the internet and came across a Veteran's Day run that was 11K or one mile walk. Neither of us wanted to do 11K, so we signed up for the mile walk. We weren't happy about the shorter distance, but 11K is a little much. Last night when I started researching location and parking the website said there was a 5K also. So, we decided to do it! Neither of us could sleep last night, and we got there early. There was a short line to sign in, but within 15 minutes of us getting there the line was very very long. We got out numbers and there was a little ceremony for the veterans. The guy who sang the National Anthem even forgot the words!! But all was good and we started. I started in the middle of the pack, but everyone was passing me, and I was passing no one. I ran at a steady pace and then my shoelace came untied. Then everyone that passed me started telling me my shoe was untied. Did they really think I didn't know? I figured I would tie it when I turned around for the 5K route. Lindsey passed me running back and then I saw the turn around point. I stopped at the half way mark and tied my shoe and then started back. I was alone now. I passed one girl, and one or two passed me. The majority of the runners were doing the 11K. As I got close to the finish line I saw Lindsey was only a 20 meters in front of me. I didn't speed up, but I kept a steady pace. She finished about a minute before me and I finished at 35 minutes and 17 seconds. I felt good and we picked up our shirts and I got a medal because I was a veteran. We will do it again on Thanksgiving and I will finish in 33 minutes. Lindsey and I had talked and wanted to finish by 44 minutes before we started. I am sort of hooked and want to do this stuff again and again!! I DID IT, and will keep doing it!! Thanks everyone for helping.