My First 5K

So today I did it. I completed a couple of my goals. The biggest being my first 5k! I hadn't registered for the race, so I got there super early. My heart was in my throat with nerves as I signed the waver and got my bib and timer. Before the race I met my friend and her sister. I found a great starting place and waited for the starting whistle.

The announcer's voice could hardly be heard, so we were all unaware that the whistle was about to sound, and then it did. I started off at a pretty comfortable pace. I was able to maintain that pace through the whole race. Just around the one mile mark my legs were beginning to rebel and I couldn't help but think "oh my god, I have to go back." I don't know what kept me going, but my friend's signs definitely helped. As I rounded the final block, the timer said 39 minutes and I swore to myself that I would get under 40. I sprinted as fast as my legs would go. 39:27.1. Success!

It was an amazing experience. Random strangers cheering you on, telling you how great you are doing. Other racers pushing you to keep going. The energy on the street, the adrenaline. It's awesome. I can't believe I made it the whole way through. In high school, I couldn't run one lap around the track, and it took me 16 minutes to run a mile. Today I ran 3.1 miles at a 12:44mm pace. This is where my life starts changing, and now I feel comfortable calling myself a runner. Yes. I am a runner.