Today was the big day. It was Dave Ryan's 5K for Special Olympics...the day that Kali would run her first ever 5K. My brother Jason was going to run it with us. A few days ago, Kali's boyfriend Sean was talked into running it, too. Yesterday, Lee finally decided to run it as his first 5K, as well.
Jason, Lee and I headed out this morning into the chilly, breezy air. I had intended to run in short sleeves, but when I got there and couldn't warm up, I decided to keep my long-sleeve shirt on underneath. We went and got Lee registered, got our bags and coffee and water and bagels and went up to the car to prepare before heading to meet Kali and Sean.
Jason, myself and Lee right before heading to meet Kali and Sean
After meeting up, we headed to the starting line. Before we even started, the race was a big fail because my cat had apparently chewed through the wires of one of my headphones and so I was left with just one ear of music to listen to. Lee flat out forgot his...nerd... I wish I would have taken a photo of the people behind us. It was super neat to be right at the front of the pack for the start, but also quite a bit intimidating. Regardless, we stayed and jumped around to stay warm
A quick pre-race photo of us all (minus Lee, the cameraman)
After a quick few words from Dave, his son Carson sounded the horn and we were off. Jason, Sean and I took off running with Lee and Kali right behind us. I soon realized that there was NO WAY I was keeping up with Sean or Jason, and that attempting to do so would put my finishing the race in jeopardy, so I settled into my normal run pace and went with it. I had people jogging past me the entire thing, but I sure felt like a winner for a few seconds.
The run was beautiful...if you have never been down by the river in St. Anthony Main or on the Stone Arch Bridge, you are missing out.
Here is the route for the 5K...ending by crossing the Stone Arch Bridge
After feeling like I wasn't going to finish the entire thing running, Sean and I met up magically and ran together for a good while. While we didn't really chat, it was nice to have someone to run with for a while. Steve and Lena from the Dave Ryan in the Morning Show were right by us for quite a while, talking about how good barefoot running is for you (which it really isn't). It found some humor in this, which helped take my mind off feeling like I was dying. By then, we were almost to the Stone Arch Bridge. I knew if I could make it there, I could finish.
That damn bridge seemed to go on forever...but I punched it to the end of the bridge where my brother was waiting. I thought I had finished, as the end of the bridge was supposed to be the finish. He yelled at me to keep going, as the finish was about a block up the road. He ran with me and I punched it again and finished. The great news? I shaved 18 seconds off of my first run's time! My time was 33:10...about 10:15/mile. I'm okay with the fact that it wasn't more. It was pretty windy out there and I overheated a bit with the long-sleeved shirt on.
The funniest moment ever that happened at the end of my race?
Slightly Awkward and Gross Warning!!!
I peed myself a little...
Apparently, I had to pee pretty bad and my muscles thought they were all done functioning and working after the 33:10 of running. I promptly waddled to the Jimmy Johnny, finished my tinkle, tidied myself up and went to wait for Kali and Lee.
A while later, I saw Lee coming to the end of the bridge, so I hoped back on the course and finished with him. A little while later, Kali comes running down the bridge and Sean and I hoped back in to finish with her. I was super excited for both of them because a VERY short while ago, I was finishing my first 5K and I think it feels better to have people you like finish a race with you.
Both of these fine folks did a pimp job at running their first 5K. They are both super awesome and deserve mad props! You guys have worked hard for it and will get better and better!
WAY TO GO, KALI!
LEE, YOU ARE COOL!
After the race, we cooled down and I even won a door prize (door prize at an outdoor race...???). Then, we took off for my motivation: breakfast at Al's!
I forgot to snap a photo of us all (because I suck), so I leave you with this photo of the three of us folks!
Jason, myself and Lee after finishing the race and before heading to Al's
XOXO
