My First 5K: A Drama.

Somehow I can't say no to my co-workers. They say hey, do you want to do such and such? And I am thinking, NO, NO I don't want to do that! Anything but that! How do I get out of here??? I can't breathe! But somehow, what comes out of my mouth is, "sure, that sounds like fun." Case in point, the 5k.

Our office sponsored a local 5k this weekend and part of the deal is that you get 4 free entries. In a weak moment of post-honeymoon fatness, I decided that running this race would be good motivation to get my butt in gear. The problem is, I forgot all about the race until you guessed it, Friday.

Co-workers: Sooooooo are you ready to run on Sunday???
Me: Yeah I don't really think you get that I don't run.
Co-workers: Oh come on it's gonna be great! We'll stick together! All for one and one for all!

Did I mention that said co-workers are both over 6 feet tall and I stand at a respectable 5'7"?? I digress...

Co-workers: We have one more slot to fill. Do you know of anyone else who would like to run?
Me: (Inside-cackle) OH I am SURE Jerry would want to! I'll call him right now!!!!
Jerry: Ummmmm......
Me: Great so you're in!
Jerry: ummmm.....if no one else will, then I will I guess.
Me: perfect!!!

Now I can share this dreadful experience with the one I love most! It's sort of like eating something terrible and saying, 'eww this is awful! Try it!" and then saying, "OMG this is soooo good!,'

'oh yeah? Can I try it?'

"NO WAY!!!"

Little did I know that besides not being particularly in shape, I would have all of the forces of good and evil to contend with in making it through this race. You see, as a last resort, we accepted the request to play in the church band that morning. This means showing up to church at 8am and staying until around 1pm. The race started at 2pm so we only had time for a few snacks and off we went.

Excuse #2 and perhaps the most viable was that I had an INSANELY painful tooth crisis on Saturday night and was coincidentally awake for most of it writhing in pain, sobbing, or just all around keeping Jerry awake worrying about me.

However, when Sunday rolled around we rolled out and got to it. Advil in hand. We went to church and made our way down the block for the race. The great news was that the free shirt was a great quality long-sleever (cha-ching). And there were donuts!

It was time to start running RUNNING! I didn't have the proper shoes, the proper clothing, or for that matter sunglasses! Jerry kindly sacrificed his sunglasses (to shut me up no doubt) and off we went. I am pretty sure that I could have walked faster than I jogged, and yes my co-workers left me in the dust after the first corner. But I did it. We did it. Despite my needing to walk for a bit here and there, Jerry stuck by me. I would say, go on, push yourself, I'll see you at the Finish Line. And he wouldn't have it. He said no way, I'm not leaving you to run it alone.

We talked and laughed at ourselves each time we hit a mile marker. He never left my side. My tooth managed to stop screaming and despite one minor blister, we made it! And we actually had fun! We are even talking about giving the whole running thing a real shot. We both need shoes. And I need to learn how to breathe. That was the absolute worst part for me.

Today I went to the dentist and am no longer in pain. My legs feel all sore (and great) and my husband has a big shiny gold star next to his name :-)

Our time you ask? 40:05

Now we have something to beat!