I Ran My First (Outside) 5K!

Getting ready to run

I can't even describe how good it felt to run my first real 5K event on Friday, as part of the annual Fargo Marathon events.

I finished! And I ran (ahem, jogged) every second of it, which was my goal. I wanted to prove to myself that I could keep plugging away without walking - and I did! I finished in 38:44 and had plenty of energy to keep going. In fact, I thought I still had a few blocks to go when I rounded a corner and saw the finish line.

Hugs from the kids to wish me luck

The whole event was sort of surreal for someone who has never run in anything (other than the dreaded school mile run), nor been in a crowd of more than 8,000 all taking part in the same event. As they filed us into place behind the starting line, shuffling us closer and closer together, I started to get really excited. The national anthem helped build the anticipation and as soon as the officials yelled "Go" I teared up. Seeing Jason and the kids cheering from the side made it even more meaningful. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this.

Gavin and Nattie made a sign to cheer me on.

The run was crazy, with runners of all different speeds vying for room and navigating through the crowd, a giant swarm filling the street. Kids ran with their parents, teenagers ran in groups, people significantly older than me zipped by on their own. I just stuck with my comfortable pace, enjoyed my TobyMac and took in the atmosphere. And kept running.

Jason's view of the start of the race

Within the first mile, my longtime friend Anne caught up to me and we chatted for a few minutes before she ran ahead so we could keep our own paces. We had plans to meet up afterward to celebrate.

And we did. It felt so amazing to accomplish something I never, ever thought I could do. With 9-weeks of dedicated training, I ran 3.1 miles.

I did it!

Anne and me - our first 5Ks!

 The finishers' medal