This weekend I ran in my 4th 5K. It was called Heels and Hills. Cute, right? It is an event all about promoting women's fitness in a non-threatening, non-intimidating environment. Great program.
My friend Kristi and I decided we would do this race together. That is kind of weird because for most of our lives getting together has involved eating food (lots of it) and some type of sedentary activity. But things--they are a-changin'!
I put off registering for the race so long (not because I didn't want to do it, that's just how I roll) that I had to get to the hotel early on Saturday to register. As I was filling out my paperwork I noticed the option to enter the Athena category, for women weighing 150 lbs. or more. You could opt to be in that category or your age bracket.
I thought, well heck, everybody knows my weight...this is a no-brainer. So I signed up for the Athena group. Got all registered, went to see a movie, had dinner and went to bed in a comfy hotel bed of my OWN! The weekend could have ended right there and been perfect, but it gets better...
Here I am early on Sunday morning just before we left the hotel for the race.
The weather was great for running on Sunday morning. I felt so good during the race. I have finally figured out how to pace. I was really concentrating on breathing and I never felt like I was going to die. On the last 400 m I usually feel a little woozy and this time was no exception. I pushed through it and even sped up just a little bit. I finished the race feeling spectacular. I even think I could have run a couple more miles.
Kristi did awesome! I'm sure she will tell her side of the story on her blog in the coming days...
We waited around for a while after the race was over. I really wanted to know my time. The last 5K I ran in 34:19 and I was curious to see if there was any improvement. Finally they announced that the results were posted on the board so we walked over there and this is what I saw:
If you can't see very good let me tell you-- I got First Place in the Athena Division and my time was 32:34. Almost 2 minutes shaved off my June time. I actually got a little teary eyed when Kristi pointed out my name on the list.
The whole thing was kind of surreal. At one point after the race Kristi and I were talking and excited and the profound nature of the moment hit me. I thought, Oh my goodness! What has happened to us?
Something really good. Here's to the new us!
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34 comments:
That is amazing! Great job!! Your such an inspiration to us in blogland and apparently your real life friends too :)
There is no word to convey how phenomenal that is. Congrats to both of you for a successful race. Yay!
WOOT! Great job on first place!!! I sign up for the Athena category as well, as I'm proud to be working out and not sitting at home.
Totally Awesome!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is so awesome :) You both look so proud, as you should be.
Congratulations Keelie! It must feel so amazing to be able to share this with your friend.
Rae
xx
Awesome! Congratulations! So glad you got to share this special moment with your friend, so fun!
YAY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! SO AWESOME!!!!
Congratulations! Way to go!
Yee to the Haw! You did it, girl! Look at what you have accomplished in a year...amazing! You are SO inspiring. Congrats to you both for finishing the race!
Congratulations to the both of you...and especially to you for PB time improvement. Woo Hoo 1st place!
Have you blogged about your monitor yet? If not please tell us...loving your shoes...Rhondabill
WAHOOOO, YOU!!!!!!!!!! congratulations, Keelie! Great job. Deb
Too cool!!! Congrats! That's a super triumph!
This is a very exciting and touching post! Way to go girls!!!
HIGH FIVE !
Awesome job!! What an inspiration! And great job on your PR!!
Wow! Great job. Especially since she just blogged about hating to run! LOL...
That is an excellent time!! It takes me like 30 minutes to run about 2k(I do walk some still though) ..man I need to get better. Great job!!
This is so awesome! You're very inspiring!
Congratulations Keelie and Kristi! You two inspire me! :) Out there running and winning races - you go girls!
Looks like you're at the Mustangs of Los Colinas! The very first time I visited Texas my two good friends brought me there. Spectacular!
Congratulations again on your victories. I'm so proud of you.
Congratulations Keelie and Kristi! You two inspire me! :) Out there running and winning races - you go girls!
Looks like you're at the Mustangs of Los Colinas! The very first time I visited Texas my two good friends brought me there. Spectacular!
Congratulations again on your victories. I'm so proud of you.
I am so proud of you Keelie!!! GOLD MEDAL GIRL! That's awesome!!! Keep pressing forward. Let this be just a reminder from God that you can truly do this! What a great JUMP START to get you going again:-)
SOOOOOOO proud of your for A. Your weight loss B. Your motivation C. Your time!! D. For winning Athena!!!
I am part of the Heels and Hills Lucky 13 team and I was also at the race on Sunday. It is a wonderful organization and I could not be more thrilled with their mission.
Keep up the good work! I loved all your before and after pics!
I came to your blog via the Heels and Hills facebook page. I ran my first 1/2 marathon Sunday in the Athena division as well. I certainly did not place, but am proud of us none the less! You are such a beautiful woman, and I am thankful to have come across your blog!
We featured you today on the Heels and Hills Facebook Fan Page. Check it out here... http://www.facebook.com/heelsandhills
Congratulations on all you have achieved! :-)
-- Libby, H&H Race Director
that's amazing! your family must be so proud of you ... you must be so proud of yourself.
but honey please blur out your name and city ... no harm in caution ...
don't mean to detract from how awesome your victory is, just concerned =)
Wow, congratulations on your victory! I got a little teary-eyed-happy for you after reading your blog. Running those races and getting PRs (personal records) are so additively fulfilling, aren't they? Keep it up!
Your pics. look amazing. It's interesting to see how much younger you look in your more recent photos. Cute outfits too!
I nominated you for an award. Check it out when you can at waitandweightless.blogspot.com
That is fantastic! Congratulations on another medal and on a quicker pace. That is a very respectable time my friend!!
Way to go! That is a fantastic time! I'm so sick of being near last at road races.
A non-threatening, non-intimidating race environment would be amazing.
CONGRATS!!!
That is such an awesome achievement!
Congratulations Keelie! How very awesome!! You are doing wonderful!! You look absolutely fantasic!!
Now, it's my turn to get back on track with my weight watcher's program! Thanks for all the inspiration you give me to help me want to do so too Keelie!! You go girl!! You keep me wanting to stay positive!! It definately pays off, that's for sure!
Blessings,
~Lynn
How inspiring! I was at that race too! I love your blog and would love to take some of your ideas to inspire other athena runners too! Before and after pictures are GREAT!!!
Okay so I just wrote out this whole long thing and now it says it didn't go through...lemme try this again...
I'm friends with Gina Stinson here in Sulphur Springs and she is so hilarious! :) Anyway, have been reading your blog for awhile and have a question. I began running earlier this year, ran my first 5K in June, but the mental thing is killing me. Any tips on how to keep pushing through and not let your mind get the best of you??
Thanks for letting pick your brain :)
Jaime
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