I started the walk....which I guess this is a good time to interject that I had initially thought I would do intervals of running/walking, but once I got started my knee was still a little tweaky so I made the decision not even to attempt to run any of it because I was afraid that I felt too much pain I would give up...and this day wasn't about giving up.
So I went ahead and walked my first mile...it was quiet in the neighborhood, only passed maybe 3 houses with people picking up their paper or raking leaves. Into the second mile I thought, wow...I haven't EVER walked more than 2 miles...this is going to ROCK! I was feeling a little lethargic, but knew I had to do it. When I crossed the line (my driveway) where I was starting my 3rd and final lap, I looked up to the front door to see my husband and dog standing there looking for me! I gave him the thumbs up and mouthed 2 down...one more! He smiled and gave me the thumbs up! That lifted my spirits to push thru the last mile with more gusto then the first.
Last mile went pretty quick, by this time the sun had started to come out a little more and I had a little sweatshimmer going on. I got back to my driveway and my love was waiting to take my picture as I crossed the finish line!
I did it....my first 5K! Even if it wasn't a "real" 5K...it was to me. I did it, nobody helped me and I didn't make excuses. I did it...and I felt great! Thanks to my beloved HRM, I was able to track my lap times. 1st lap was 18:37, 2nd was 18:07 and the final was 17: 34! Its supposed to get better each lap...and mine did! Rock on! Burnt 438 calories and reached my goal of finishing in less than an hour. I bet that by more than 5 minutes!
I now have a starting point, and I pledge that my next 5K whether it be organized or not...will be even better. But this one, knowing that I was doing it along with dozens of other women and men all across the country, will always hold a special place in my heart. I did it.
