Monday, July 14, 2008

I guess I have to write about me..........



Ok, so my only "event" this weekend was a 5K. I had big plans to train for this and run my first 5K (I've walked several). But alas, I did not train adequately, and so I knew I would be walking this one as well. However, seeing as how it appeared most people would be running it, I really wanted to run a portion. So, Jeff and I awoke early on a VERY cold morning (foggy and under 50 degrees in JULY!), and arrived at Duck Lake. The previous day was "triathlon" day and this day, Sunday, was the "footrace" day. Everyone started together but some chose to do the 5K, some the 10K, and some the half-marathon. I started off running (ok, it was more of a very slow jog) and tried to keep up as long as possible. When I could take it no longer (my lungs were ok, but my achilles tendons were screaming), Jeff said "that was about a mile" (how embarrassing!). We then walked, increasing our pace as I realized the couple in front of us, walking with grandma and pushing twins in a stroller was beating us! Adding insult to injury was 75-year-old Margaret who was smoking me with her lopsided gait and run/walk pace. I was being left in the dust by two grandmothers! So, with all the energy I had left, I began to run, if only to pass up my elders and not feel like such a dork. I was totally sucking wind by the time I crossed the finish line, but at least I came in ahead of the Geritol generation (wow, a real feather in my cap, right?). However, I did wait for Margaret to cross the finish line and asked her was her secret was - running a 5K at 75? She explained that she and her husband started running at age 50 when their son got into running. They recently cut back their "50 events a year" to 25 and had just run a 5K the day before. That's it. I'm eating Wheaties and running my ass away from Starbucks. I want to be running a 5K when I'm 75! Anyway, I got my medal and had the kids take the obligatory photo (note how lovely I look after camping for two days, doing the 5K and having no shower). I'm inspired for my next event, however lowly I am on the athlete's totem pole. I finished, right?

2 comments:

Shelly B said...

Congrats on doing a 5K and finishing. I probably would have had to walk the whole thing. Sounds like you guys had a fun weekend. We need to plan a big trip and meet halfway with our campers. Where would the get us, South Dakota maybe???

Sydney said...

Congratulations to each and every one of you!!! I think that doing something like that as a family is not only admirable, but something not enough families do... As usual, you're family is wizzing by the Joneses (this time on foot, bike, AND in the water)! Great job!