So, I know this is late, but better late than never, right?
We just got back home, got settled in, all that, so it's
just now relaxation time...
I ran a 5k in Chicago this weekend, Saturday morning at 10:00 am.
I met some friends there, both of whom I know from a running forum where I post regularly, both of whom I met for the first time today, and both of whom live in Chicago.
After walking around in downtown Chicago for 8 hours on Thursday, and then (maybe not-so-wisely) running 16.4 miles Friday,
I honestly didn't think I could pull it out Saturday. I was almost right.
Almost.
Phillip and I finally arrived at the race at 9:00 am, after an hour-long, COLD bus ride across town from our hotel to the race site, the University of Chicago. I picked up my race packet, my shirt, and my chip, and walked across the lawn. Leslie yelled out "Tonya!" and I thought, "Hmm. That's weird." I guess in my cold stupor I had kind of forgotten that at least two people might recognize me when we got there. I looked over and recognized her face immediately. She said Dave was not there yet. He arrived only moments later, all meet-ups went well, and pictures were taken, etc., which I will add soon.
As we were all lining up for the race, Dave and I started towards the absolute front, with Leslie in the middle somewhere. When the race started, I started off faster than I ever have in a 5k, and I could feel it in my legs. I thought it was going to be over for me after the first mile.
Anyway, as I passed a few people by, and others were passing ME by, I noticed a girl to my left, and another up ahead of me, probably a good 100 feet or so. I was intent on beating them both, but I didn't know if I could make my legs DO that. They were just so sore. I ran, not paying attention to much around me, and I passed the girl beside me, left her back a ways. One down.
I kept running, eventually reaching the turnaround at around 1.5 miles. The girl was still ahead of me, but not as far. It would still take some work, though. As we turned at the cone, and I began to run back from whence we came, I saw Leslie. She yelled some encouragement out to me, and I kept on going.
It was around a half mile later I realized I was closing in on the girl, and fast. As I passed her, she said to me, "Nice job," and I said the same. I kept hauling butt though, as not to let her come back at me at the end. After about .25 mile, though, I never heard her again.
As I ran the rest of the way in, I heard many people on the sidelines yelling for me, letting me know I was the first girl. Let me tell you, at those times, it is so exciting to be a girl. Right toward the end, Dave's girlfriend (thank you Vanessa) yelled out some encouragement to me and took a picture.
As I ran in, I felt it. BAD. My legs are super sore. I can tell I've been killing myself over these past few weeks with a marathon just four weeks ago, a 10 mile race just 7 days ago, and this 5k, not to mention winning every single one of them. Yes, I did win this one in Chicago. My time, though not a PR, was 19:24, and I was 9th place overall. I don't know how many participants were in the race, at this point, but there were 400 chips there for pickup, so who knows.
All I know is this:
1. I'm not doing anything more for a while, probably, as my legs need time for recuperation.
2. I love my Cool Running friends.
3. My husband is the best supporter. Ever.
P.S. Phillip did not run, so he was our photographer. He got some great photos!
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