'Run, Wendy, Run'

Today, I accomplished my goal of completing my 1st 5K! My friend and I were relaxing at the pool over the summer and I asked if she'd be interested in running a 5K--mind you I was barely running at the time. She pondered for a moment, and then agreed to the challenge. The Pumpkin Race was selected solely on the fact that it was the last date we could find on the calendar. At first, we weren't convinced a 5K was such a wise choice as we struggled to complete a 1/2 mile when we first began "running". As the weeks quickly passed, we found ourselves successfully completing greater and greater distances--0.1 miles here, additional 0.5 miles there. Eventually, we both were able to successfully complete 3.1 miles--same distance as a 5K. We've both been running this distance for a while and have slowly been adding more distance. Trey and I have run the 3.8 loop (complete with hills) at Sharon Woods and I've run a little more than 4 miles once. I'm sad to say, that I completed the race alone today. My friend injured the area near her right knee and hasn't been able to run, let alone walk, for almost a week. We hoped she'd be better by now, but her pain continues. She's worked as hard as I have; if not harder and I truly pray her injury heals soon. It breaks my heart that we weren't able to run together--not for myself, but because this is her goal too. We have tentatively planned to run the "Buckeye Bash" scheduled for the morning of the Michigan/Ohio State game. I'm hopeful that her injury heals and that she's back in the groove soon! She's been a wonderful encouragement to me--especially when I've had the doubts of whether or not I could truly follow through with this goal! Stacey, I know, in time, your goal will become an accomplishment too!

"Ready, Set, GO!!" The 31st Annual Pumpkin Race begins in Grandview Heights, Ohio (Columbus)

I placed several additional goals on my race this morning--I DID NOT want to walk at all during this race and I wanted to finish in under 32 minutes. My first mile was 10:17 and that was announced just before I rounded the bend and headed up a sizable hill--who knew there are hills in Columbus?! As more and more people started walking around me, I was even more determined NOT to stop. I reached the top of the hill, huffing and puffing, but never once stopped to rest. The race continued on fairly flat roads until the end of the 2nd mile--there a slight, but steady, incline began. Thankfully we were able to turn and run back down the hill. I remember glancing at my watch at 25 minutes and thinking--only 7 more mintes to go girl. As I rounded the last corner, I could see the finish in the distance, I remember Trey telling me to "pour it on" at the end. I have no idea where this burst of energy emerged from, but I was able to run a little faster and am absolutely stunned and amazed at my finish time--29:31.

Will I run another 5K? ABSOLUTELY!!