5k Finisher!

I like lists and pictures so let's recap my first 5k with both!

What I learned: 

- I have a lot more energy, adrenaline, excitement on race day than on a normal day
- I can run a lot faster than I give myself credit for (I finished in 38:00 and I was shooting for just under 45:00 so I blew that goal out of the water).
- I run faster when I can run with someone
- I love having a support team who makes signs. The other runners get jealous.
- I love that you get a medal for finishing. If makes me feel twice as accomplished.
- I now identify myself as a runner. I have a Running Board on Pintrest and everything. 

- I really enjoy running.
- I am exciting to start preparing for another one.
- I foresee running longer races in my future. We will see. I have to get through the 25 goals first.

Picture time!

I passed Jenel and Jaclyn but they weren't looking. A few moments later, Jenel had sprinted up to take this picture. I'm laughing in most of the pictures because Jenel and Jaclyn were being hilarious as I ran by them. The fact that I could smile and laugh as I ran by was pretty impressive.

Almost at the finish line. I was definitely ready to be done. And glad it was a downhill stretch.

Pretty happy when I thought my time was 38:17 (based on what my iPhone said). Little did I know it was actually 38:00. 

My running buddy, Carol.

The signs Jaclyn and Jenel made for me. They were pretty impressive.

Gratitude Snorkle

This weekend was in short amazing. So many unexpected surprises yet so many planned adventures. It was a lot of small things that just added up.

• Skyping with Matt Rogers
• Having Matt come on to teach Mark II with us at Catalina and getting a teacher for every class
• Spending time in scripture as I prepped 1 Corinthians 
• Seeing Noemi 
• Seeing Yolanda unexpectedly 
• Getting invited to stay and hear a seminar at the LaFe staff conference about immigration 
• Seeing Melody and having adventures in Northridge
• Hamburgers with Hawaiian roll buns 
• Spending time at home with Jenel and Jaclyn
• Having support while you do something challenging 
• Hilarious signs (I'd rate them at 7.5)
• An unexpected running buddy for my first 5k. 
• Finishing my first ever 5k at 38:00 - much faster than I expected 
• Breakfast burritos
• The best milk shake ever
• Just watching a movie with a good friend 
• Talking with the twin

Becoming a Runner

I will run my first 5k race ever in exactly one week. I'd have to say I'm pretty excited but I am even more nervous. I didn't really ever envision myself as a runner up until this year. I started as a vague idea of I should get into better shape and I really only have the time to go running. 

It has been a really unexpected and slightly process. I started by walking to campus, which is about two miles from my house. Then I started running (well jogging at the pace I go) for barely a mile. One day, back in late October, I asked a student, Jenel, if she wanted to go running with me. I was trying to put myself in a vulnerable place, modeling what it looks to be intentionally not in a position of power by doing something I knew she would be better at me in. What was supposed to be just a "teaching moment" turned into something so much more. 

Since then I began the process of running regularly. I even played with the idea of running a 5k. I wasn't committed to it really, just throwing the idea out there. Well I learned quickly to never just "throw" ideas out there in front my students because at least one of them takes hold of it and begins the job of convincing me to just go for it. So in December when I made my 25 goals list I decided to just go for it. I have learned a lot about myself through this process. Some it was obvious and some was surprising. 

1. I really like running (this surprised me the most)
2. I process life best while moving (walking, running, driving)
3. I tend to have a naturally slow pace. I even sprint slowly in comparison to most people
4. I run the best when I can let mind fully wander off. I don't think about how hard it is to breathe or how much my legs hurt
5. I love running with 1-2 other people at most because... 
6. I am really competitive and when running with a lot of people I know I tend to go straight to comparing our performances  
7. I take not doing well (such as having to stop and walk, going slow) really personally and don't like to be bad at things (see number #6). 
8. I tend to not participate at things I'm not good at - which is why I never ran much before 
9. I have to run with music. Audiobooks do not work sadly (I wish they did) 
10. Having a routine made running a lot easier 

I guess all this to say, I'm glad I've gone after this goal and I'm glad it wasn't easy. I'm not sure I'm ready to call myself a runner but I think I'm getting there. We will see where I'm at in one week. 

Running Adventures

Today it was raining. I debated for a while if I should go running or put it off until tomorrow. I decided to brave it and go. It was only sprinkling so I wasn't getting wet really.

Until I managed to step into a giant puddle half way through my run. Literally at the halfway point so there was no point in turning back. I got to enjoy running just under a mile in a wet shoe and soggy sock. That's why I played basketball in school. Indoors and never a chance of wet shoes or soggy socks.

Long Road Ahead

For one of my 25 goals this year, I am going to run a 5K - well actually two - one at the beginning of the year and one towards the end. I have about two months until my first ever 5K race. I don't typically run let alone participate in organized running, but I want to get in better shape this was the easiest to do with my busy schedule.

I was doing pretty well before I left for Urbana, but because of the conference itself and then getting majorly sick right after, I haven't run since late December. I finally started training again and I felt like I wanted to die (or at least stop running and cry). I hope it was due to jumping back in even while I'm still recovering, but I feel like I started over. Not that I have any clue really what I'm doing (ok I have some idea how to train well and there is a plan involved) but it will still feel like a miracle if I pull this 5K off.

I don't really know what the picture has to do with running really, but I feel like I'm the T-Rex here, trying to achieve the possible. And you know, a genie in a bottle wouldn't hurt either.