Jingle Bell Run Report
6:05 PM Edit This 14 Comments »
So, internet. I have a new PR for a 5K. 30:24! Can you believe it?! That's like 6 minutes off my last timed race in September! I can't believe it at all. I was shocked when I crossed the finish line and saw the race clock. After the whole achilles thing and not being able to run, I was thinking I wouldn't even be able to get close to my first 5K time! Most people dress up for the Jingle Bell Run and I was going for Snow Queen. Kind of Chronicles of Narnia thing. Dog Girl was an elf.
Here we are "Pre-party" at Dog Girl's house.
With the dogs!
And here we are pre-race with Diva Nurse.
See me in the middle there? I was waving to my fan club who were parked at the coffee shop we meet at on Saturday mornings. The owner totally gave me free hot chocolate when I finished. It pays to be a regular, right? All along the race route, little kids were shouting, "It's a snow angel! A snow angel!" Well, I was going for Snow Queen, but I will take that as a compliment.
Post race with my running coach, me, Dog Girl and Diva Nurse. WE DID IT!
Here we are "Pre-party" at Dog Girl's house.
With the dogs!
And here we are pre-race with Diva Nurse.
See me in the middle there? I was waving to my fan club who were parked at the coffee shop we meet at on Saturday mornings. The owner totally gave me free hot chocolate when I finished. It pays to be a regular, right? All along the race route, little kids were shouting, "It's a snow angel! A snow angel!" Well, I was going for Snow Queen, but I will take that as a compliment.The race was from downtown to Falls Park and back. There is a slow grade descent to the park. I was running with our coach who was injured this fall as well, and she kept saying, "Let it fall, let gravity do the work. Pick up your feet and fall, just fall." But I tell you what, the slow grade incline on the way back? Killlllleeerrrrr. When we got out of the park and were back on the main thoroughfare, I had to walk. I just had to walk, but I'm a good speed walker, so all was good. When we reached the avenue that reeks of downtown, I knew I had a mile to go, so we ran. We ran, slowly, but surely. I was trudging at times, but I kept my feet moving.
There was a woman who was running with a little boy. The whole time we were in the park, she kept encouraging him. "You can do it. We are jogging. We are not running. We're not going to walk. You're okay. Keep going. It's okay if you want to cry. We're good. You're good." And well? I was struggling so much, that her words were helping me. So, my running coach says, "It's Garret, right?" And the woman nods and we chime in, "Go, Garret! Go! You can do it! You're strong! You can do this thing!" And he's crying and the woman is saying, "Listen to those ladies cheer you on! Listen to them!" And she kept nodding at us, silently thanking us for our encouragement. And well, it helped me, too. Here was a little kid - maybe 10 who was doing something I never thought I could do and I'll be damned if he was going to quit. And neither was I. Well, the kid beat me, and for that? I'm super glad!
My friends were 4 blocks from the finish line. 4 blocks earlier, I wanted to puke. Seriously puke. But I thought, "Well. They came to see me run. I'm going to RUN. No matter how slow, but I'm going to be running when I pass them." And I heard them cheering my name. But all I could do was raise my hand in acknowledgement. I was too far gone in concentration. If I was going to finish this thing, I had to look down and just go. And go I did. And when I crossed the finish line and saw 30.24 staring back at me, I was dumbfounded! Completely dumbfounded.
Post race with my running coach, me, Dog Girl and Diva Nurse. WE DID IT!I wandered around, trying to catch my breath. I have exercise induced asthma. It's bad. I carry my inhaler in my bra for post-race help. I never have trouble WHILE I'm running, but the minute I quit, I'm wheezing and gasping and have to will my heart to quiet down and take slow, shallow breaths, while I'm coughing and generally looking like an idiot. I slumped up against the courthouse at one point, trying to tell everyone to get out of my face. I don't want concern. I just wanted to be left alone. I can't use my inhaler when I'm wheezing. I have to wait until I can breathe it in without choking. It was bad, internet. Really bad.
It scared me this time. I suppose because it was so cold. We walked back to the coffee shop to get me inside, but even the warm air didn't help. I just kept hacking away. I was so excited and wanted to talk, but talking was out of the question. I didn't get back to normal breathing until about 10:30 that night - four hours after the race. Scary. But I wouldn't miss it for the world.
SIX MINUTES OFF MY TIME! Did you hear that?! So awesome! And my costume was spot on. Sigh. Life is good, right? So, so good.
14 comments:
Way to go, Snow Queen K8!!
Wonderful! Your costume looked beautiful! Careful with that asthma, I'm glad you're feeling better now. :)
Good job.
Congrats on your PR! You rock!
I LOVE this Kate! I felt like I was right there with you. And to get a PR on top of it all? Holy crap!
Your incident with Garrett is the very reason I do not like to wear headphones or listen to music when I race. I want to soak it all in. You just never know where your encouragment will come from.
Gorgeous!! What a great idea! And you all look very cold. The fact that you run in the bitter cold makes you my hero. That and other stuff. But mostly the cold.
Something about your outfit has been sitting just on the edge of my consciousness all day. It finally hit me. It reminded me of the Winter Warlock from the old Rankin and Bass special Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.
See what I mean:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/winter%20warlock/2bigpig/PDVD_005c.jpg
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the song "Put One Foot in Front of the Other" on youtube.
You look so amazing, and I am super impressed at your PR!!!
I've got to tell ya - in the few years I've been reading your blog, I've never seen you as consistently happy as you are when talking about running. And the photos just prove it! Awesome on the PR - keep it up, girl!
I've got to tell ya - in the few years I've been reading your blog, I've never seen you as consistently happy as you are when talking about running. And the photos just prove it! Awesome on the PR - keep it up, girl!
For some reason this post made me cry. On, On.
Wow! Congrats on the PR! I am so happy you are out there running and feeling good! You rock :)
Great job! You did awesome!
Isn't it crazy how you will see kids out there running like it's no big thing. It kills me every race I do. An 8 year old wins the race every time I swear.
I'm so proud of you Kate. You did it! :)
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