...that I, having never won a race in my life, would actually win my age group in a 5K? Well, I did. Saturday, Gary and I ran in a race in Owensboro that was sponsored by Owensboro Christian Church to raise funds for their food and clothing banks. I was a member of that church for many years, and my mom and step-dad are still members. My mom knew that we had been running 5Ks, so she sent us the entry forms (hint, hint).
Though I attempt to improve upon my time with each race, I did not have high hopes for this one. The previous week we had run in the Komen race, and I had my best time, but that was because I was desperately trying to keep pace with my niece who is 20 years my junior. I didn't have her to rely on, so I just accepted that I would probably have a slower time. But then on the way to Owensboro, my husband also remarked that I probably wouldn't have as good of a time without Erin. Oooh! That was a challenge if I ever heard one!
There were about 100 people running this race, which is pretty small compared with the other races we have participated in. It was a cool morning, perfect for running. Gary and I said our good-byes at the starting line, and I took my spot toward the front. Now people who walk 5Ks really don't intend to mess up, but I would think it would be common sense to get out of the way! If one is walking, and knows that others are running, wouldn't it be obvious that he should line up in the back? I guess not because I was in about the 3rd row, and I had to weave around walkers when we started (I know, this was a church-sponsored race, and I should maintain my Christian attitude and let go of that nasty competitiveness). Once the race started, I got into my groove. I tried to stay up with a girl in front of me. She had an awkward form (I might too, but I have never watched myself), but I could not catch her. My grandmother, who died 7 years ago, once lived in Owensboro, which is where our connection with this church came from. Part of the course went past her old apartment, which was oddly sentimental. I thought about her as I ran, and I thought about a dear friend who also died a few years ago, Donna Fenn. She and I used to take Sunday trips to church at OCC. She loved the music there, and we always had a great time.
At the 2-mile mark, I really had no idea how I was doing. I just kept running. Because I run faster in the races, I have been feeling nauseated the last half mile or so. By now I know that it isn't likely that I will vomit, so I just keep running. At the Komen race my time was over 28 minutes; as I approached the finish I could see the timer: 27:30! If I ran hard, I could beat my time! I thought just tell me I can't run fast without Erin! Watch me! I sprinted for that finish line, and I believe that my official time was 27:52. I was very pleased. Gary also knocked a couple of minutes off of his time, so we were both pleased. I knew at that point that I was 35th overall, but didn't know where I fell in the age group.
After a pancake breakfast at the church, they announced the winners. Gary and I both won our age groups - and there were other people in them! I told him that we would just have to keep finding these small races so that we could actually place - and look like we actually know what we are doing! I can clearly remember telling Gary after my first race that I didn't know how I could possibly run faster because I had given it my all that race. Well, fast forward three months, and I have gradually knocked 5 minutes off of my time. I know that I will never be 'fast', and that I will eventually reach my peak time, but for now it is fun to see just how well I can do. We run, along with Erin, in Rockport this Saturday. It is the last race we are signed up for, but I know we will probably run at least one in October. I am not certain how running in the cold weather will be, so I don't know what winter holds. Maybe just the treadmill - YUCK! I can't wait until next spring and summer so that Jackie and I can see just how far these old bodies will take us!
"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." -Louisa May Alcott
Start reaching!
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