So I didn't die afterall: A Jingle All the Way 5k Review

That's right, I didn't die. In fact, we made it just fine. Lauren made a sign for us. We posed with the sign some for pictures...like the ones below.

(left to right: me, Shelley, Lauren)

We were all excited and pumped...kind of. Earlier that morning, when it was time to wake up, I saw Shelley in the hall and suggested that we sleep instead of run. Shelley said that sounded like a good plan. Nevertheless, we managed to get up and moving.

We reached the starting line and got all of our stuff situated. And complained about the cold for a while. We also posed for the Strictly Running camera as well...I'm looking at the slide show and it looks as if we weren't included. Those bums. We looked cool. AnyWAYZ...Lauren and I were joined by Shelley, Dow, Yoshi, Meredith and Jill. Joeli didn't make it out to run. Something about not being prepared because she had been taking care of her kids (priorities, Joeli, geez!), however, Joeli and some of the fam did show up to lend support which was greatly appreciated. First of all because we like a cheering section and second of all because we had someone to hold all of our stuff ;-) (thanks, Joeli!). Before the race, Dow also tried to pick up a date (see photo below), but unfortunately was politely turned down. Tough luck, Dow.

Finally, the race started. Pretty much everyone in our group ran ahead of me. Not too far though. I'm a good lingerer. I hold up the rear well. The first part of the race was downhill down Gervais Street through the Vista. That part was pretty cool. It didn't take me too long before I made a couple quick friends while running. There was this couple that thought it would be appropriate to stop for all of the stop lights on the road. I agreed with them and we were pals for a while. We also waved at the crowd that came out to watch me....er, I mean the race and parade. I picked up some speed going down hill, however, and had to leave my new friends behind. I even passed Meredith for a nanosecond. By about the first mile, I was getting a little tired. I think that was about the point that Meredith just took off away from us. Dow and Yoshi were up there somewhere too. Lauren was up ahead of us as well, but not too far...then she ended up taking off way ahead of us as well. So Shelley, Jill and I stuck together. The conversation was good...I think we mostly made fun of Meredith ;-) (ok, we didn't that much).

Then as we approached Devine Street, we saw that one of the racers was out on the ground. The ambulance had already been called. Since Shelley and Jill are both nurses, they felt obliged to assess the situation and make sure the racer was still breathing and all that. I felt obliged to stand around because I would have felt guilty running on right then and I decided it would probably be a good idea to keep the nurses close by me while running. You never know what might happen to you. Anyway, once the nurses decided that the racer would be ok and that there was nothing else that could be done, we decided to not stand in the way and run on.

We trotted on until we reached that big hill up Greene Street and decided to walk that mess. After gaining our composure from that blasted hill, we ran on to the finish line. I finished with a time of around 38 minutes. Not bad for me I thought, especially since we stopped for a while. Upon arriving at the finish line, I got to partake in my favorite part of these races...the refreshment table! I grabbed up some powerade and bagels and was quite pleased with myself. We hung out for a little while and then decided to go ahead and find Joeli since none of us were going to be getting any medals, haha.

All in all, it was a good race. We got to spend time together, make new friends and get some exercise as well. I also just enjoy being a part of the community. Awesomeness. Is everyone ready for the Cold Winter's Day Run on the 29th?

Joeli hanging out at the parade after the race.

We were conversating about something.
(l-r: Lauren, Shelley, Me, Meredith, Jill, Dow)

The racers, minus Yoshi, plus Caleb
(back, l-r: back of Caleb, Lauren, Shelley, Me, Meredith, Jill
front: Dow)

We had to get Joeli in on the picture taking as well!

(l-r: everyone plus Joeli)

Let me just say...tomorrow I may die...

So, yesterday Lauren and I went through the course for the Jingle All the Way 5k that we will be running tomorrow. We were of course, running during the day so we had to stop for traffic lights and such, so we were able to take breathers in between. We did okay until we got near the Palmetto Pig and we decided to walk because we were feeling pretty spent. We walked up to the Collesium and then I suggested that we run again since we were about to go up the big hill on Greene Street. After calling me a jerk, Lauren agreed to run (hahaha). We chugged our little hearts as hard as we could up that hill. Before we reached the very top of the hill, I said, "Ok, we gotta stop." If we hadn't been in public, I probably would have laid down on the ground right there.

After that ordeal, my calves were hurting and we decided to walk back up to the Health Center where Lauren works. On our way back there, we ran into Dow and convinced him to come run the 5k with us.

I picked up my running packet today and am excited (i'm runner # 1 ;-) ), however I know it will be challenging. I'm glad I haven't gotten super competitive with this yet. If I feel the need to walk, I will walk. But I am going to try. Now, I'm about to make some pasta so I can get energized ;-) I went out and bought all kinds. So, Run, Everyone, Run! and if you're not running, come and watch us, and if you're too lazy to come out, watch us on TV (WIS). It should be interesting.

April

We've got supporters!

Okay, maybe not supporters in the financially sense, but Run, April, Run has recruited several cheerleaders for our cause. We will be accompanied by Shelley, Meredith and Meredith's preceptor in the upcoming Jingle All the Way 5K on Saturday. It's very important that we spread our Run April Run message to the local community -- and what an opportunity! WIS-TV will be televising the 5K as part of the Christmas Parade. Any thoughts on what we should do to promote our blog? Hehe

An Intervention IS in Order!

OK Ladies! An intervention IS probably in order and Mommyhood IS kicking my butt! Plus 3 speaking engagements in the last month! I have just been wiped out, but the time for excuses is over! I have to get back in shape so I can dust you guys the next time we run together! Hahaha! Even if I really DO run in my spiritual age - which IS 22, by the way - I think "dusting" anyone is a little out of my reach at this point! I will start running again ASAP though! AND I DO really miss you guys! I thought about our reunion, but must admit I thought it was coming up, not OVER... poopsie! AND, I saw Lauren's name in my cell phone directory just today and thought... "Aw, my running buddies! I miss those girls!!" So, we must get together sooner rather than later! Let's not run though... let's just promise not to eat anything fattening!! ;) Run, April, Run! Oh... and you too, JOELI!

I do believe an intervention is in order...

I think we should have an intervention. Perhaps Mommyhood is kicking our dear friend's butt ;-) I always forget to check my calendar so I forgot we had a reunion, but we have definitely been slack with the running. I'm gonna have to redo the graphic and change the name to Run, Joeli, Run! Hahaha. Do you have info on the Jingle all the Way run?! I've been wanting to know about it, but can't find it online anywhere. Ashley had the flyer but never can seem to actually get it to the house. Meredith was wanting to do that one too. Jingle All the Way is the one early December, right? Let's seriously consider.

Where the turd is Joeli?

April -- should we have a intervention with our running companion? And I looked at our schedule ... I think we were scheduled to have a book club "reunion" tonight, but I haven't heard anything. Reschedule? Or perhaps a book club/running pow-wow at the Jingle All the Way 5K two Saturdays from now?

I Ran this morning (now i want cheeseburgers)

So I ran again this morning. All thanks to Meredith again. I didn't think I was gonna make it as far as I normally do, but I did. I think it was mainly because Meredith and I were in conversation and whatever it was we were talking about I wanted to continue on, so I kept running. After I reached the end of the walk, I think I coulda kept going, but apparently by that point the conversation wasn't as interesting, so I saw walking as more beneficial than talking. I guess I can say that I can run two miles rather comfortably now (as comfortable as running can get I suppose).

When I got back home, I felt hungry. I always feel hungry after I run. Lately, I've just been feeling hungry period. Lauren and I had a brief conversation about this. I'm apparently not the only person who has been wanting to eat more lately. Perhaps it is the cold weather. We instinctively feel that we need to "stock up" for the winter. No matter what it is, I feel like I could eat everything in my house. I'm trying to ignore this call of nature so I won't gain a bunch of weight. Unless of course Ashley and I actually decide to go through with our plan to gain one hundred pounds, get on the show "The Biggest Loser," and then lose the weight and win the show because we're more athletic than the real fat people.

We shall see. Oh and we need to plan a 5k soon. December. Ski masks. Its all good.

April