One Jingle Bell Down, One to Go...

Well, I survived the Jingle Bell Walk/Run 5k! I have attached some pictures courtesy of my coach/drill sgt./excited sibling. The race itself was not that bad. Of course, I say that now, good thing there wasn't a laptop at my disposal as I crossed the finish line!

I made it to the race location early - registration began at 8:30 AM and I arrived soon after. I was a good pupil and did not partake in my morning coffee or cigarette (ok, so I haven't completely broken up with the cigs - it's more like one of those on again/off again dysfunctional relationships, but I'm trying!). I arrived before Nelly, Joy-ous and two of their students who also believe that running is fun. I picked up our race packets and turned in ANOTHER $30 thanks to my friends at Dentsply (yay!!), and went back to my car to warm myself before we began. It was cold on Saturday, about 27 degrees. I was less nervous about the chill in the air than actually completing this thing. I mean, I knew I would finish, but I didn't want to be dead last, I didn't want to look ridiculous, I didn't want to sprain or twist anything, I didn't want to disappoint Janelle. I mean, I had only ever completed one of these before and that was YEARS ago! We suited up once the sis & co joined me. She brought the hats and the Jingle Bells for our shoes laces. I brought the garland, the snowflake earrings I made and the knee high socks (well, calf high socks for me). We posed for pictures and then made the necessary adjustments. 1) The earrings had to go - they were way more obtrusive than originally thought. 2) So was the garland - Janelle wrapped hers around her waist, I left mine in the car. 3) The gloves I brought weren't really doing the trick so Nelly-bell lent me hers. 4) The ear covering/headband thingy was a must!

We started towards the back of the "running" group. There were walkers there, a few with their make up done, cute, warm looking outfits and coffees in their hands, I was envious - they brought up the rear and looked happy doing so. There were also dogs, I'm still not sure how my little puffballs would handle 3.2 miles of run/walking. Joy and the two girls that tagged along ran a good bit ahead of us for the entire race. It was just Nelly & I, and well, I ended up being quite the captive audience during the trot. You see, for once, I couldn't get a word in edgewise - not because I had nothing to say (let's face it, that's never been a problem), but because I literally couldn't speak between belabored breaths...in through the nose, out through the mouth...

We did a pretty good job of running, I would say that we ran at least 1/2 of the 5k (easily). She allowed me to power-walk up the hill(s) and allowed me to decide when I was ready to run again. About half the way through the race we were lapped by the race leaders. I took comfort in the fact that we were not "dead last" - though it turned out that only 6 official runners crossed the finish line after us. The official time was 42:45. We beat Joy's anticipated time for us by over two minutes. When Janelle had me figure the split (that's an official running term, I'm told), it came out to about 13:25 per mile, which I was happy with. That time is right about what I'm averaging at home on my own, and I don't run/walk more than a mile at a time! I can't let myself forget that this was only something like my 14th run, either.

One thing they don't tell you about is the loot after the race. There was literally a lady with an armful of donuts waiting near the finish line. There was Starbucks coffee - THANK GOD - fruit, cheese, granola bars, candy canes, etc. We had gotten a long sleeved tee and Santa Hat with the race enrollment too. I must say, it was pretty funny watching all of those Santa hats bob up and down as the runners started off that day. Before we left I stumbled across a postcard announcing a mirror image of the Harrisburg race in York the following weekend. I showed it to Janelle because I was thinking, "why in the hell did I have to get up and drive to Harrisburg to torture myself when I could have waited a week, slept in a bit and been a lot closer to home when I was done the race and ready for a nap?!" The plan kind of back-fired though when she suggested we all do it all over again the following weekend, and this time Shawn (my husband), and Sophie (her Golden Retriever) should join us.

Yep, I agreed. Am I becoming one of those addicted runner types? No. Am I happy that I can accomplish something outside of my comfort zone that I set my mind to? Yes. Is it also a plus that I will see my sister twice in two weeks (no matter how annoying she can be early in the morning, on race day especially). Shawn too, has agreed to join me, and while we are still on the fence about whether or not we will talk the doggies along, we can at the very least feel good about the fact that we have at this point raise nearly $200 for the Arthritis foundation. Again, thank you to those who have donated to my this wonderful cause and my silly quest. And there is that time that we need to beat...

In other news, I have made the executive decision to begin a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday training schedule based largely on the fact that I'm now running a 5k every Saturday. We ran tonight, again on Old Farm Lane, my time tonight was 13:40 and it was as cold as it has been since I began this journey. My cheeks were stung by the wind and 20 degree temps. I'm pretty sure that the tears that streamed down my face, froze there. But I'm not sick, I'm not too sore, and I'm feeling pretty good about my progress, though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to a day off tomorrow.