I was not sure what I was going to do for the 5k. My leg was not well enough, I thought, to try to "race" it and I just didn't think I could mentally "run/jog" it. Even thought about sitting this one out. But as I begin to intermingle with many of my running buddies, the thought of sitting it out was absolutely absurd! Excitement filled the air and I could hardly wait to get going. My newest and closest friend (my leg wrap) and I headed for the front of the line. I told myself that I would run as hard as I felt I could do without hurting.
Ed W. caught me before the race and took my picture in the street. Thanks! I tried to hide my compression wrap under my shorts but had my leg wrapped as much as I could to keep from re-injuring it.
I wasn't ON the front line but got as close as I felt I could safely. I hate for others to KNOW they are slower than others (sometimes even walkers) and get ahead just to slow down the faster runners and make them run an obstacle course for the first quarter mile just to get around them. Funny, these folks don't ever get to the side but in the middle of the street. Okay...done with that now. So off we go! Not sure exactly when/where this picture was taken but I'm to the right of the second cone in the black shorts and red shirt. Hopefully, you won't recognize me because my hair has a mind of it's own when I run!
I felt pretty good running. No pain at all...alright!! The wrap must be helping. I ran as good a race as I could. Since my marathon training and race, my speed is really off but I'm looking to regain it by summer provided I lose some of this flab I've decided was a good idea to carry around. NOT!!!!!!
When all was said and done I was able to whip out First Place in my age group...woo-hoo!! I was not expecting a single bit of recognition. This really helped my feelings especially since I was 2 minutes off my best 5k!! Did you hear me??? Two minutes!! This was a flat course and I couldn't do better than that?? Come on, Robbie...this will HAVE to get better. But I'm feeling stronger all the time and that's good news.
I'm so excited here! Friends with their trophies:
Bob C. and Tommy P. Way to go guys! One more bit of VERY exciting news. One of our club members, Bill G., set a new state record for his age in this race!! He came in at a fast 20:33. Our hats are off to you, friend!
Got his picture before the others in his age group for this reason. And, finally, Congratulations to Leonard V. for coming in first overall, as usual!! Way to go, Superman. He not only directs the races, he starts them, wins them and comes in so early to cheer everyone on when they cross the line. And, oh yeah, he tallies the results and gives out the awards. Whew!! This tires me just trying to get it all written down. There's soooo much more but this is it for now. How he directs, starts and wins races is beyond my ability to understand.
Update: Nine (9) state records were set in this race. Just found out. Congratulations to Leonard V. AGAIN for running such a good race! Good job to all of you.
For more running stats, go here for the results: http://gulfcoastrunningclub.org/results/data_5K.php?race=stpat&yr=2011
Picture with running buddies: Julie and Bob
Me, Julie, Bob & Kent. Great job to all of you! One more picture with a good friend taken at the last race.
Tommy & KentWe decided to hang around for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Here is a picture with just a tad of all the booty I got. Check out that cute white garter with a green 4-leaf clover on it. The necklaces I'm wearing are all really different. Not just the usual beads. All of those were given to a little girl in the car next to us.
Can you tell who took this picture? Look REAL close. It's a no-brainer.
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