It has been a while since I ran a 5K.  Today the race was right across the street along a route that Shane and I either walk or run at least twice a week. 

MVCC Run 

Up at 5:45 am and out the door with Shane for a warm up 2 miler.  Fiddle faddled around and ate 1/2 a banana with peanut butter at 6:30 am.  Ted left to go have coffee with the guys. I ran over to the school early, got my bag of goodies and number, then ran back home.

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It was warmer this morning and perfect for running.  Teddy, Ted’s son, arrived at the house about 8:05 am.  He was going to run as well.   This was going to be fun, fun fun.  So we headed over to the school at 8:30.   The race began at 9 am.

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We lined up. We were off.  I wanted to run my heart out from start to finish thinking, nothing could be as hard as what I did on  that bike Thursday night.  I spotted a runner who I knew was so fast so I intended to keep her in my sights.  Ahhhh.. that didn’t happen.  She disappeared from my view in less than 5 minutes and that wasn’t because I passed her    

I was running faster at the beginning of this race than I have ever started out before.  I really slowed when we went up the short but somewhat steep hill to the parking lot.  Got the breathing under control. That hill is a lot easier when Shane is pulling me up it.

In the parking lot, turning left and now it’s down hill by the football field. What a breeze.  There were people way up ahead of me and people way behind me.  Once again, I’m running solo.  Teddy?   He lined up behind me at the start so I had no idea where he was.  There was some wind along the route but nothing too threatening.

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I have never tried to run hard from start to finish so it was a new experience.  I also didn’t have a dog hanging from my middle.  It was a fun challenge.   It was  hard work.  It was so worth that adrenaline rush at the end.  Final time: 24:08, average pace was about 7.43.  PR?  No idea.  I started racing 4 or 5 years ago and never kept track.    BUT…. I did win 1st place in my age group!  

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And…. Teddy got 2nd in his. 

Right after Teddy finished the run, we walked home and I cook up a much needed breakfast of the infamous weekend Egg Beater Omelet.

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I showered, changed and then went to collect my award (pictured above).  Great day – I gotta run FASTER!

Shopping with the Birthday girl and good eats at UNO Grill.

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By 10:30, I had my award and I was calling Sue (my sister) and Stef (my niece) to see when we were meeting up.  Since Stef had a birthday yesterday, my gift to her was shopping and lunch.  We were headed to Modern Maternity. Stef is going to have a little boy in August…I’m going to be a GREAT AUNT! ….NOTE TO STEF:  Please feel welcome to leave a comment saying  “Gee Aunt Jo., you already ARE a great Aunt!

After shopping for about an hour and half we were  HANGREEEEE….   The choice was Uno Grill.

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Me:  Bayou Shrimp Salad

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Sue:  Asian Chicken Salad

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Stef:  Honey Crisp Chicken and Egg Salad

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Since there was very little left on any of the three plates, I’d say we all LOVED the food at Uno’s.

What a perfect day.  A race with Teddy.  Shopping and lunch with Sue and Stef.  Doesn’t get much better.

What’s your idea of a “perfect day”?

Joanne

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