57:53

This is my 50th post on this blog!  Yay!

I completed my first 5k!  And it only took me almost 60 minutes... 57 minutes and 53 seconds, to be exact.  But you know what, I don't care.  Because I started it, I walked a good bit and jogged a semi-good bit (does that make sense?) and I ran across the finish line.  Not walked, but ran.  And for that, I am pretty damn proud of myself.

First, I would just like to say that A) my legs look thin!  I never thought I'd say that.  And B) that train behind me came through just as we were almost to the tracks, which we had to cross to get to the starting line.  I was freaking out because people were running across the tracks AS THE TRAIN WAS COMING.  Like, yeah, I want to start the race on time as well, but I'm not going to RUN IN FRONT OF AN ONCOMING TRAIN.  Foolishness.

We started out walking and I would tell Ben when I wanted to jog.  And whenever we did, I would set small goals for our jogs.  Like, from this lamp post to the next  OR this red light to that red light OR one full block.  It just made it easier for me, rather than just run as far as I could.

I would also like to say that running requires a whole different kind of conditioning for your body.  I've been working with Gene The Personal Trainer since November, and I've conditioned myself pretty well for cardio.  But running... that is a totally different ball game, people!  My ankles are still stiff and a bit sore.  And my body in general was in shock, I think.  But that just makes me want to work on it even more.  

I told Ben that by my 30th birthday, which is 23 and a half months from now, I would like to be able to do a half marathon.  I'm not going to hold myself too tightly to that goal, since I do want to have kids by then as well, but it gives me incentive to work on running more than I ever have.  I like the idea of running, and even though I was hurting and tired after the mere 3 miles we did, I felt good while doing it.  And I'm so glad Ben was there to encourage me.  Especially since about 2.5 miles in I was feeling pretty tired and felt like my calf might start to cramp any second.  My tennis shoe was also rubbing a nice blister on my right heel as well.

All in all, I am just really proud of myself.  I signed up for another 5k next month with my friend Rene and I'm really excited about it since it's the Color Me Rad 5k.  Just like The Color Run, just a different name and race.  I will definitely try to condition my body a little more before then.  I'm so glad that I can say I accomplished a goal I set for 2014.  It feels truly awesome.

TOP:  (L) I'm ready!  (R)  Me and my love!

BOTTOM:  (L) A crowd of about 3,300!  (R) Made it to the car- OMG why did we park so far away?!

(just ignore how my face looks without makeup.  I was not going to go full-face to the 5k, guys.)