My Birthday and the 5K Race

When I was asked by John-David what I wanted for my birthday this year, I didn't really have an answer. I did want my hair professionally highlighted but I told him that was too expensive. John-David took things into his own hands and arranged for me to get a massage, a pedicure and a manicure on the night of my birthday and then the day after he had taken off work and made arrangements for me to get my hair done (refer to family photos to see hair). I got pretty pampered alright. A girl could use to this kind of treatment on a more regular basis. I think it was up there with one of the best birthday presents I ever received. 

A few weeks after my birthday. I ran my first 5K. I never thought that I would run a 5K although I have for awhile wanted to. I have never been a big runner but I just thought it should be something I should do to prove to myself that I could do it. Back in January I discovered the new St. Luke's hospital had a gym and free daycare offered 3 hours of the day. I decided that this was my time to start really exercising. After a month of so of working out I felt confident that I could do a 5K and knew of one in a neighboring town that was in May and it included a kids fun run right before the race. 

My training program wasn't exactly what you would call well planned. About a month before the race I would run 3 miles on the treadmill once a week and the week before the race decided I better run it once on the road to get a feel for it. I don't think you could call my training competitive but I figured since I was working out that it couldn't be that bad. My goal was to not finish last and to finish in under 40 minutes. Once I started racing, I added two more goals: to not be passed by anyone pushing a stroller and to not stop except to tie my shoes. I was happy to report that I achieved all my goals and I actually finished it in 29 minutes and 52 seconds. I finished 245 out of about 575 or so. Not too bad for my first time. After I finished the race John-David asked me if I wanted to run a marathon. I promptly answered no. Maybe in a another lifetime. 

WARNING: These photos are neither beautiful or flattering (the ones with me, the ones with kids are very cute). The photos are merely posted for documentation purposes only. 

 The racers 

 Jackson in the 7-8 years category. I believe he finished in 3rd place. 

 Jocelyn in the 5-6 year category. She was somewhere in the pack but her smile won first. 

Everyone always talks about this girl's smile and she runs with it on too. 

 Kelsey in the 3-4 year category. She was all smiles until the race started 

then the crying started and she decided she was done. 

 I was the lucky winner who got to run with Bryce and Kelsey the 600 feet. 

Guess which child got carried for part of the race because they were crying so much? 

It wasn't Bryce. 

This was the start down main street of Coopersburg. 

I look like an intense runner. 

A family of racers (minus Dad but we'll get him next time) 

I thought I had downloaded a picture of me crossing the finish line but apparently I didn't. Just envision me in the picture above breathing hard and that's about what I looked like.

 Do you think I am on track for qualifying for the Boston Marathon? 

 It was 9:00 in the morning but who can pass up on free ice cream. 

We sure can't.