Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Am I A Runner Yet?


At 49 years of age, I have completed my first 5K. Okay, I might not have had the grace of a gazelle, nor been faster than a speeding bullet (or turtle for that matter), but I did finish!


I am so glad I did it. It was a very relaxed, fun time. Not a huge crowd. A few families running. It was good. And even though I took a couple short walk breaks, I still bought myself a few plants afterward at the farmer's market!


I know this is still small potatoes but it's huge for ME. I never thought I'd be able to do this. Somewhere I guess I must have had some hope buried deep in my head because I kept trying.
Jim and I did our run together on Sunday with no problems. It was fairly wet out so I kept hitting the trees overhead so they'd soak me and keep me cool. Jim had to make an unexpected trip to FL to be with his parents while his mom is in the hospital (she's going to be okay) so I ran today on my own. I ran it in the rain and I'm so glad I did. It got hot when the sun came out.
As you can see, I really have come to like running in the rain more than sunshine.

11 comments:

clumsy ox said...

WOW!!!! That is so awesome. Congratulations! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 5K! That's awesome! That's good, it sounds like it was a low-key race for you, for your first time. I'm sure you'll always remember it too. Oh, and I prefer the rain myself too!

Glad your MIL is going to be ok.

jlou said...

Way to go! This is really inspiring for me. I'm trying to get up the courage to do my first race since the tender age of 9. I'm glad your first race was a positive experience.

Tom@RunnersLounge said...

A big CONGRATULATIONS to you, Karen.

So glad you enjoyed your first 5k. Save that shirt and bib number. I have my first race shirt from more than 30 years ago--and they didn't make shirts back then to hold out very well after 30 years.

You're inspiring to read. I'm guessing you're going to continue to amaze yourself.

SueBob said...

Congrats on your first 5K, I am glad you had a good time. Did you get a ribbon too? I have never gotten a ribbon in a race...was it an age group award? Or for all participants?

Chris said...

This is not small potatoes at all, Karen. Your first race. That is something to be proud of you. You have really come pretty far and I think it is wonderful. Keep it up.

And yes, you are a 'real' runner!

jodes said...

Woo-Hoo!! Way to Go!! I guess this makes you an 'official' member of the running family (not that you werent' before...). You even got a pretty cool running shirt! Make sure you save it. Also save your bib number! I still have both the shirt and number from my first 5k. Pretty soon you'll be drowning in shirts and bibs! :o)~ those little races are addicting.

*jen* said...

Congrats on your first 5k, that's fantastic!! This isn't small potatoes at all. It's one of many running victories (and t-shirts) to come. It's good stuff!! :)

Jenn said...

Congrats on the first 5k! My first 5k was exactly one year ago. Noticed you're following The Non-Runner's Guide, it's a great book and will get you to the marathon in ready form!

Lisa said...

Congratulations! I am so glad that you enjoyed your first race. I hope the race organizers had a photographer there so you can get a picture to document the day!

Anonymous said...

WOW Congratulations on your race!!! I remember it wasn't too long ago when I was reading that you were having trouble running much smaller distances!! You've improved a lot!

And yes, YOU ARE A RUNNER!