Harbor Town 5K Recap and Good Friends

It's definitely no secret that I ran my first 5K Friday evening. I was excited and nervous. It's been many years since I participated in anything competitive. It took me back to the days of softball. Ha!

Even though I am new to running it became obvious to me very early on that I run better in the morning and this run was at 7 PM. I wasn't sure what the best plan as far as meals go would be for the day so I just winged it. I had a pretty big breakfast that morning. Bacon may or may not have been involved. I can't confirm nor deny. I had a very light lunch and just before I left my house at 4:30 I had a few chips and salsa. About 10 minutes before we walked over to the race my stomach began to growl. So, I inhaled a small cup of applesauce. If I run at night again I'll stick with this. It worked well for me.

Pre-race pic!

Game Plan

More than one time during the day I mentally reviewed my plan for the run. First of all, I wanted to start towards the back! I knew if I started in the front with Laura or Meredith that I'd try to keep up with them and everyone else and possibly die before mile 2. I wanted to run at a comfy pace and enjoy mile 1. Mile 2 would be a bit faster. Finally, mile 3 was supposed to be my fastest. Everything went the opposite direction. Ha!

Mile 1

I was standing to the side when the race started talking to Holly and my MIL and I just kind of jumped in probably right in the middle. Not part of the plan, Linds! 

Sadly, my music was playing so low I couldn't hear it so I had to run to the side and quickly fix it. I can't run without music. No way. No how. 

I jumped right back in and for a second I almost became claustrophobic. I'm used to running alone. Once we made our first turn the crowd thinned out and before I knew it I was zipping in and out of people. I finished my first mile in under 10 minutes. Not. Part. Of. The. Plan. 

Mile 2

As soon as I finished my first mile I started to walk a bit. I ran with a bottle of water and needed a sip. This was when a lady in her 50s running by me smacked my booty and said "come on, girl." I had to spit my water out from laughing. Is this how you race people roll? Someone let me know so I can be sure to spank some booty, literally, on my next race. 

Ok...so, anyways along the way some of the residents of Harbor Town had their water hoses out and were spraying us. I promise I ran from one side of the street to the other more than once to be sure I got wet. They were wonderful. They were cheering us on. It was great. One had a huge table set up with Jell-O shots! I didn't think it was a good idea on my first run. Maybe next year. 

Somewhere during mile 2 I spotted my friends Jaime, Janessa, and Lora. They made signs for us. I thought that was really sweet. 

Aren't they the best?

Loved my sign!

Mile 3

This was the mile that was supposed to be my best but it was not. I'm ok with it though. I'm learning and the best way to learn is to just get out there and do your thing and make changes for the next time. More walking took place on mile 3 than mile 2. I was so hot but I was thankful because normally it's at least 100 degrees here this time of year. It's been mild this Spring.

The scenery on this mile was my favorite. At one point I had an amazing view of The Pyramid and The Memphis Bridge, or the new bridge as us Memphis folks would say.

It was around 2.5 miles that I was like its hot, suck it up and deal with and run! So I did and before I knew it I was crossing the finish line. It was a great feeling. I see how one might become addicted to these things! I finished in 36 minutes. I'm being told that's good for your first 5K. All I know is I want to do better next time.

Woohoo!

Post Race/Party Time

Runners received Nike gym bags and a Nike hat, how cool? There was also a table with a mountain of Sonic food. Lol! At that time all I could think about was diving into a pool of water and drinking wine so I skipped the Sonic. Shame!

Post-race

Our fun group walked back to Laura's and made dinner plans which ended up being 1000 boxes of pizza. Don't order pizza after you run a 5K because you'll order way too much! Lol! 

We walked to Laura's MIL's house and there was a ton of delicious appetizers waiting. I was stuffing my face like it was the only way to get into Heaven, as Holly says. 

We sat poolside and we drank, ate, and talked. I did get in but only for 15 minutes. The water was at least 20 degrees. 

I felt like I've known Chris and Holly my whole life. 

Holly was just what I expected. She's very sweet and genuine. She's got gorgeous skin and I love her Midwestern accent. Such a pretty lady! It's also time she made a new nickname for herself because she does not live up to the name "Big Holly."

Chris. Because I have such a strong southern accent I just knew he was gonna give me a hard time. He only did like 3 times. He's a really nice guy with a great sense of humor. 

I also got to meet Jake. He's a lot of fun too. We are going to have fun this football season. Ha! Go Dawgs!

My first race was great and I finally got to meet Internet friends whom I'm happy to report were not serial killers. Lol. Someone in the group had friends that were worried he may be meeting some people that wanted to steal his kidney and leave him in the bathtub. Lol! 

Last, my SIL is doing a linkup today about wearing neon. See...this is why I'm not a fashion blogger. Well, besides the fact that I mostly wear t-shirts and Nike shorts. Lol! 

My only pic of me wearing neon and a piece of cake is involved. I keep it real! LOL!

 

Happy Tuesday!