0646- I did it!

This morning I ran my first 5k! I am pretty pumped. I have been running for awhile now consistently, but for a long time I never ran past a mile and a half.

This year I decided to kick it up a notch. My dad and I talked about running a 5k together. We were supposed to do it last spring, but that never happened. We looked at the dates, but then never found one that worked for both of us.

We kept running all summer and said we would do one in the fall. We looked again, and found this one- Running with Convoy. I was so excited, because it was at a location I've always wanted to run at (Raccoon River Park), and it was supporting a cause I really liked- feeding impoverished children all over the world. 

Unfortunately, my dad was at my sister's volleyball tournament, but I decided to do it myself. I am so glad I did it. Even as an adult, you still get a little twinge sometimes about doing something new with people you don't know, but it turned out awesome.

Here is my tracker so they can keep my time. I had never seen this before! (Also, check out my new sweet running shoes.)

The shirts they gave us and number 0646!

Unfortunately, I can't get Kley to run with me. But, I did get him to come cheer me on.

Heading up to start (these next pictures all taken by Kley).

Right before they shot the starting gun.

Kley first spotted me coming- I'm so far back you can't even see in the picture. Ha.

Finish line.

You can't really tell what's happening in this picture, but I had just passed this girl in a Cyclone tutu (there was the big Iowa/Iowa State game today). I couldn't let a girl in a tutu beat me. I really wanted to pass this little girl that was running in the left corner with the green shorts, but I couldn't catch her. How can kids be so fast?

Almost done!

Crossing the finish line.

It went better than I thought it would! I'm really glad I did it. It actually felt great, and it was BEAUTIFUL weather outside. The past two weeks here have been about 100 everyday, so it was much harder to run. I had only ran three miles once, last weekend, but had been running about 2 or 2.5 consistently. I ran 3 miles in 34:57 last time, so my dream goal was to finish in under 30, but my realistic goal was to finish under 35. I finished today at 31:32, so I was pretty happy with that!

I was a sprinter in high school and hated running long distances, but I guess that's changed in my adult life. I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to run another one! I am proud of myself for working towards a goal and accomplishing it.