Jenny On the Spot

Saturday was the Viking Fest Road Race. I signed myself up for the 5 mile run, and signed Joel up for the 25 yard run for 4 & 5 year olds! My race started at 9 am. Joel’s “race” was scheduled to begin at 10:15. I was concerned… I hadn’t run or exercised at all for over a week. By race day, my goal was to finish my race in time to see Joel’s! OK - that would give me one hour and 15 minutes…

A little encouragement helps… one house near the start had their speakers out. They blared “Chariots of Fire” as we began. With a little under a mile from the finish, the race route took us by the same house, only this time they were playing the theme song from the Rocky movie. I was surprised at the emotional push their humor and cheers gave me!

The end is in sight. I saw my family, and managed to give Joel a quick peck before crossing the finish line:) I was surprised to see the time at the finish line was 49:45! That means my average was 10 minutes per mile. I am happy with that (my treadmill average is 10:30 to 10:50 a mile)! I finished in time for Joel\’s race… plus I finished well-ahead of the group of teenage girls (about 8) I had run with most of the way! I focused on a steady running pace (it is probbably more of a jog for REAL runners), while the girls opted to run AND walk (I overheard them working ourt their strategy). There were a few times I thought I would not gain the ground I needed, however…it seems… slow and steady really does win the race!

Yeah, so I didn’t really win the race (I came in 221 out of about 285…), but I am happy with my performance. I improved my personal time, got to see my son run his first race, and I finished before a few healthy young people to boot:)