Race Day!

Today was the morning of my very first race--a 5K/5M run through some downtown parks. This is what we woke up to--a couple of inches of snow, and a very brisk breeze!

Nevertheless, I went anyway. The race started at the Julia Davis Bandshell. The line you see there is the timing chip line--I'm in it somewhere!

I signed up with my long-time friend, Lisa. Fall of 1977 found us roommates in our freshman year at BYU, where we took a class called "Fit for Life", which emphasized lifelong sports that would keep us fit. Part of the class was a timed run at the beginning and end of the semester. Lisa and I ran a lot together then, but haven't run together since. I started running again two years ago, Lisa, last summer. Unfortunately, I signed up for the 5 Mile, Lisa, the 5K, and it turned out the courses were completely different!

This is the start of the 5 Mile run. The die-hards are in front. Don't those two guys in front know it's 36 degrees outside, with a wind chill making it feel colder?

I'm started closer to the back of the field. I wasn't the first, but I wasn't the last, either.

This is the start of the 5K race, which began 5 minutes after the 5 Mile run. The couple right in the middle are Matt and Lisa, a couple from our ward. Lisa and I run with a few others women on Monday mornings together. But don't you love the Leprechaun Lady? K didn't get a picture of the lady with the green tutu and green knee high socks, regrettably!

This is Lisa's group, running the 5 K. Even though we weren't running together, it was nice to know she was out there somewhere...

As the 5 K was starting, the 5 Milers were making their first loop around the park before hitting the greenbelt on our way to Municipal Park. By this time, I've passed a few people, and am about in the middle of the pack.

41 minutes later, Lisa crosses the finish line!

About 15 minutes later, here I come! There are people behind me. My biggest fear for this race was that I would come in dead last, but I didn't! My goal was to finish with a respectable time, and to run the entire way. I ran the entire distance, at a steady pace. Even though I was basically running this alone, because Lisa,Brooke, Sue, Matt and Lisa had finished earlier, they were there, cheering for me, along with Kirt and Ron, Lisa's husband. I was a ways from the finish when I heard Kirt yell my name. When I saw him, I almost cried!

The clock says 56.19, but I may have finished 5 seconds sooner, given the fact that I started in near the back. But ever at 56.19, that made it 11.22 minute miles, which is faster than I've run before! Here we all are at the finish! It was a great race day!