Alliant 5th Season Race
8/31/08 Tomorrow is my first race. . .EVER! I'm very nervous.
I have run 3+miles on the treadmill. But not outside (2+ was my longest outside and it was pretty flat). Not w/people around! More important is I'm doing this to help make life a little easier on Eileen. Her marathon is barely starting.
Still scared to death!
9/1/08 I DID IT! It was fun! There were so many people there! On the route there were 3 Elvises, an acapella group, 2 radio stations, belly dancers and my favorite, a chalkboard set up against a tree that said "you're doing great! keep smiling!" I ran the first 2 miles in 23 min, then (since I was faster than usual), I walked a bit and finished the race strong at 44:45. Darren and my kids were waiting near the finish line to cheer me on. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see them!
One down, 9 to go!
  Marion Swamp Fox 2008
8/6/08 The Marion race was a completely different atmosphere then the Alliant; less people, more laid back. I definitely prefer the latter. I ran (nearly) all of it. There were a couple hills I didn't quite make it all the way up. I also shaved a couple minutes off last week’s time at 41:17! The best part of the race was 3 little blond girls cheering their hearts out and encouraging me to keep going. They were just after the 2 mile mark and just what I needed to keep up the pace. I had so much support at the race. My parents showed up before the race to wish me luck and were there along w/Darren, the kids, and my best friend Kelly at the finish line. It was awesome to run into the finish area and see my friends and family cheering me on!    8/7/08
Two races in 2 days! I cheated a little but w/this one and just signed up for the walk. You HAD to keep your feet on the ground; they would disqualify you if there was too much bounce in your step. No problem there! It was a circle course around Rockwell Collins Campus (mostly parking lots). The winner of the 5K won in just over 15 minutes! He lapped us 3 times; the third time he was just showing off, but he still was going much faster than us! Kristin joined me; we had a lovely walk and talked the entire course. Nora and Brian joined the race at the end and crossed the finish line w/me. That made this race very special. Beautiful day for a run! Sunny and cool with a nice breeze! I signed Nora up for the kids run. We lined up for the 3 and under. On your marks . . . get set. . . "Mommy no!" Oh well, I wasn't sure she would even get to the starting line!
It is supposed to be a "Zany" race, w/people dressing up in crazy outfits. Not so much! I stood out in my pumpkin pants. I didn't win the prize for the zaniest outfit b/c another lady had a kilt and a purple boa. Nora wore a tutu skirt I got her for her birthday. Funny thing is she wasn't dressing up for the race, that’s just what she wants to wear! She's such a girly girl.
****Thanks to the generous support of my parents and girl friends I was sponsored for these first 3 races before I could get the website out. I only need $10 from 70 people to complete my goal! **** |
