'Healthy Heart 5k' race report......My first 5k!!!

So today was the big day!!! With my ACL surgery in less than two weeks, my goal was to run a 5k before my surgery.

I was SO nervous. I had to have everything just right this morning...LOL. The race was on base. I got there and nearly everyone was active duty military. Do you know how intimidating that is when you are and overweight wife?

I found a couple of my husband's co-workers from the ship and talked to them before the race started. I was literally shaking I was so nervous! Over the loudspeaker, they announced the course and mentioned a certain hill we were to climb. All the military just groaned! At that point, I wondered what I got myself into!!!

I started out running, praying the nerves would ease. There was a long uphill about 1 mile in. I ran up it, no problems!!! However, I started feeling SICK to my stomach. I seriously thought I was going to puke. This is the first time that has happened so I totally blame it on nerves!!! At the 1.5 mile point they had a Gatorade stop, but I KNEW I would hurl if I added anything to my stomach. It was THAT bad.

The Gatorade stop was right before the infamous steep hill. I took one look at it and knew I should just walk up it. It was hard walking up it!!! As soon as I got to the top, I started running again, still sick to my stomach. With about 3/4 of a mile left, the course leveled out and I was feeling pretty good! I picked up my pace and started passing a few people, which was empowering!

I crossed the finish line really strong. Immediately, I felt I probably could have pushed even harder, but I was still proud!

My time, according to them, was 34:00 even!!!! However, my Nike + said 34:53. Either way, I beat my goal time! My goal was 36 minutes, but I hoped to do it in under 35min. I ran all but that hill.....which I'd guess to be .35 miles or so.

They only had enough t-shirts for the first 72 finishers. I was kinda bummed. However, one guy shouted, "Who wants a t-shirt???" I shamelessly shouted MEEE!!! One of my husbands co-workers said, "Give it to her, this is her first 5k and she is having knee surgery in 2 weeks!" Sooooo......the guy gave me the t-shirt. I was happy!

I have one thing to nitpick about! It annoyed the heck outta me when I would go to pass someone and they would speed up! I would have to pick up my pace to go around them. Why do people insist on doing this?

Now the sad part...LOL. I met my husband at my son's preschool (right next to the course) and walked my son in. I decided I wanted to get a couple more miles in and go to the gym. LOL <-------who is this person??? I went to the gym and did 2 more miles for a total of about 5.11 miles today. :) Again, I thought to myself that I could have pushed even harder at the end of the race. I guess that is lack of race experience in knowing how much to save for the end!

So, in 2 months, I have gone from only being able to run .75 miles to a 34-35min 5k and I have gone from 265lbs to 245lbs. Not bad :)

Day 53 - 5.11 miles
Healthy Heart 5k - 34:00 their time, 34:53 my Nike+ time
2 miles on the treadmill