Saturday, December 08, 2007

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, that was cold!!!!

Ok, I'm going to try and focus on the positive of what I just did!!!

Since May, I have been running 3 - 4.5 miles three to four days a week in preparation of running another road race to improve my time. The goal was to improve my time and yet also build up my stamina to endure the tests of a 10K, half marathon and then MAYBE a marathon one day. Well tonight, I ran my second 5K since then. I thought it would be fun to run at night in the



In case you can't read that because of the smearing ICE RAIN on the camera lens, it reads HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR. I had heard so many wonderful things about this event; how the runners are able to run through this beautiful display of winter lights, all the while running the path at the park through the woods. It sounded magical. I did run with my camera (someone reminded me today of how good I was at multi tasking, so I guess this is a true testament of that) and take some shots along the course. Here is a shot to give you an idea of what parts of the course looked like to the runners.




I would like to say that the picture is fuzzy because of how FAST I was running but that would be a lie. The picture is blurry because of the almost freezing temperature, and the fact that the rain had started to come down at this point and was pelting me in the face. The camera also suffered a bruising. So that is why the picture is blurry.

Back to the actual race: I didn't run it alone. Two other MOMS Clubbers were running tonight (Jerri and Denise) as well as my friend Dawn (not pictured). This is us FREEZING our butts off BEFORE running the race. Did I mention we were cold?


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And this picture is a POST run picture. Notice the icicles forming on my head and the fact we are all smiles because we know we can seek warmth and shelter from the elements? LOL


Anyway, like I said, I am trying very hard to focus on the positive. So here are so more positive things I can say.

While I wanted to finish this race under 27 minutes, I didn't do that, HOWEVER I did beat my time from May. Not by much, but I did. In the overall standings (listed below) I placed 23rd overall and 4th in my age division.



So yes, I should be happy about all of that. AND I should be proud of myself for even toughing it out in the cold, rain and wind. Yes I SHOULD be....however, I am not!

I know I could have done better. I just know it. That is what is eating me alive. There were factors working against me (weather, exhaustion, night time versus day time running, unfamiliar course, WEATHER ~ did I say that already?) but I wish I could have still toughed it out and challenged myself harder to finish with a better time. However, there were certain points during the race I let my mind freak me out. Let me paint a picture for you.

As I was running along and taking pictures of the pretty lights, I gave no thought about the fact we were about to enter so DARK wooded areas AT NIGHT in a very sketchy town. Yes it was at a park and yes there were course officials spread out, but still. There were a couple times throughout the race when I was ''circled'' by a few men. Being alone (literally having a deployed husband and a babysitter at night with my kids) in a dark wooded area surrounded by men with no other witnesses really really played with my head. To the point where I slowed down so they would pass me by. I could have sped up but then they would still be behind me. It was a really freaky feeling and I'm certain most of it was in my head. They finally did pass me, but once I saw the finishing area, I made up those lost spots and past them in the end. My time though is a reflection of how CAUTIOUS I was. Had I not let that get to me, I really do feel I could have placed and timed better. But in the end this was my finishing time:


It's not the greatest time...but considering the FREAKIN' cold, I'll take it (again, focusing on the positive)

On another note, look how much fun the kids had with our sitter Roni!!!! Who doesn't love CUPCAKES????

11 comments:

Rene said...

Girl, you are so much braver than me! I think you did great. I'm guessing slowing down for the strange men affected your time. No more running alone at night,'kay? Congratulations on putting yourself out there and freezing your butt off!

Anonymous said...

Christy,
You have to quit being so hard on yourself. You did way better than I ever would running. It would take me hours to run a 5k. Good job on the run. I am sure all of the factors you mentioned played into it but especially slowing down for the guys.
Anyway way to go. Get yourself thawed out now.
Hugs,
Jill

Anonymous said...

You know, that's the first thing I thought when you said the course went through the woods..."SCARY!" I agree, you're too hard on yourself. You did GREAT!! It'd take me hours to do that! LOL

Anonymous said...

YEAH!Give yourself a pat on the back girl. You did an awesome job so dont be so hard on yourself. I wish I could be as dedicated as you are. Congrats!! :)

Anonymous said...

You did GREAT, Christy. I'd still be out there even now!! LOL Take pride in what you did...and know that this was (on top of a great run) a learning experience. :)
Jennifer

Michel family said...

WOO HOO! You go girl! I am so not a runner! I would not have finished at all most likely! You did awesome! Glad you were able to brave the cold and have fun!

Anonymous said...

Girl, if I could take the next flight out I'd be there in a heartbeat to 1st congratulate you, 2nd kick your butt for being too darn hard on yourself and 3rd make you take me to Toby's ranch :)

You did AWESOME! I am so proud of you!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Christy you did a great job! Quit being so hard on yourself girl! You are a great fast runner, my goodness you were running in freezing cold weather & elements. I don't blame you for being cautious. Congratulations girl! I was screaming for you all the way from Van Buren, did you hear me? ;)

Stacey

Kristen said...

Christy you did awesome!! Waaaay better than I would have! You should be really proud of yourself! I would have done the same thing I think if I were in your position with those men. You just can't be too careful and I'm a big worrier anyway! I'm sure anyone in that position wouldn't be able to function at 100% so I'm proud of you for sticking it out!

BTW, I'm glad we can be blogging buddies now! I added you to our links page so I can keep up with you more often now! Yay, this is fun! =)

~Kristen

Anonymous said...

Chrisity you did a great job!Be very proud of yourself.In the dark how scary!That would have turned me right away from it, other people or not.(((Patting you on the back))).

Way to go!!!

JenM said...

You did awesome girl!!

If I would of ran it, we would have been walking 5 minutes into it!