I DID IT!!!!

Yep, on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 9:16 AM I screamed to downtown Baltimore that I am a runner with a very loud, "Yeah!" as I crossed the Baltimore Running Festival's 5K finish line!!! Friends said they heard me in the runner's recovery area and I saw the photo on marathonfoto.com, I was super, super excited!!! (already purchased my personalized video of me crossing the finish line)

Friday night Jenn W. and I took a nice walk around UMBC just to "limber up." I was so worried that I wouldn't be able to sleep Friday night. Chris and I went for a ride and I talked and talked. Poor guy, I know I just rambled about running and emotions and running and well emotions. I decided to go to bed around 10:30, assuming I would lay in bed tossing and turning. Boy, I was wrong. My alarm went off at 5:25 Saturday morning and at first I was confused but then, "Oh my shit!!! It's 5K day." Out of bed for a shower to wake up and then I hopped into my runner clothes. The KFCFB team met at my house at 6:30 and we were off to the lightrail to downtown B-more on an ever so cold, never run in temps this cold, morning. When we arrived, Camden Yards was already a buzz with over 20,000 people. This was really happening. I was so excited about everything that was going on I kept forgetting that at 8:30 AM I had to do my part in the Baltimore Running Festival's 10 year anniversary. Runners lined the streets in an array of attire. One guy wore a 4ft Dunkin' Donuts coffee cup costume and another guy in a full, faced covered and all, green neoprene suit. One 10 time runner wore a tux the entire marathon (all this and I was worried about a sleeves cut of old Ravens t-shirt)

The marathon began at 8AM with a parachuter and tons of confetti. And they were off for 26.2 miles...WOW!!

Okay, now that they are out of the way(LOL) it's time for us 5Kers to get to the starting line. They have pace markers on poles so that you can line up with others at your pace. HA HA, the last one was 14+ minutes...guess that's me. We didn't go that far back but we were 3 minutes and 16 seconds walking from the start line. Anxiety has now turned to excitement and I am READY!!! And we're off....walking to the start line, starting my watch and start running. It's cold and crowded. Walkers in are front of us and bobbing and weaving is needed. (not to mention a group of blind people to our left with canes. please don't trip me) Everyone warned me of "the hill." Yes, it was a little difficult because it was as soon as the race began (but I'm not sure I'd call it a hill, long incline absolutely) The four of us stayed together and hit the 1 mile marker at exactly 14 minutes. Within a half mile, Jenn W and Jaime we gone, their bobbing and weaving was a bit More efficient than mine. Thank God for my long time friend who downgraded from tri's to a 5K to run RIGHT ALONGSIDE ME!! YAY JENN HOLLAND!!! It seemed like it took forever to get to mile 2 (actually it only took 14:28). Everytime I started to doubt myself, JH took over with a lovely, keep me moving story. After mile 2 I knew I had this!! My feet never stopped running. They slowed for every marathon foto photographer along the way but they didn't stop. I had loads of fun talking to the spectators. Saying things like, "You can't just watch you need to scream for me too!" That really helped keep me in a good mood. As we approached the warehouse at Camden Yards, Jenn told me that she was stepping back and I needed to let my adrenaline take over. No Jenn, not yet, it's not here yet. I couldn't believe when there was just a little bit of the warehouse remaining. Then I saw it, the clock at the finish line. Yep, you heard me right, the FINISH LINE!!! JH stepped back and there I went, I couldn't believe it. The next thing you know I'm singing aloud to "Pump Up the Jam" and sort of dance/running. I'm looking at the spectators. When I saw my crew, I slowed quite a bit and waved and smiled. (Chris said he saw me and was thinking, "Stop dancing and smiling and run!!") I knew I had done it. My goal was to run it all in under 45 minutes. The timer said 46:16 as I crossed but my chip time (and watch) were 43:45. I did it!! I was taking it all in...and then with a loud "YEAH!" I crossed that line!!!

I'm not gonna lie, after I crossed the line, I felt GREAT. During the run, especially the first two miles. I did think to myself, maybe running isn't my thing. What the hell am I doing here? Then the other part of me butted in..."hello, you can and will do this. OWN IT!!!" I'm about to sign up for the Jingle Bell Run 5K which is downtown on December 12. (this is all in my "own it" plan) Also in my plan is to cross the marathon finish line before I turn 40!!! (I'll keep you posted on that one)