First Race!

So.  Yesterday I ran my first race since I started training.  I ran the Chick Fil A 5k in downtown Memphis and I was awful!  Ha! It was a very last minute decision...literally decided Sunday night that I was going to run it on Monday morning.  So Monday morning I got up (late), threw my running clothes on and was out the door.  The whole way downtown I was trying to talk myself out of it.  I was tired, I was going alone, there were millions of reasons for me to turn around and go back home.  But I didn't. And I'm so glad!  What an experience!  It was exciting from the time I walked into Auto Zone Park to register.  There was a band playing, tons of runners, and we got a fun little goody bag. 

So I got registered and headed to the start line.  I read online the day before that if you expected to win anything to make sure you make your way to the front of the start line.  So I stayed at the back.  Literally the back...behind 2000+ people.  The start was a little tough.  It was hard trying to make my way through the walkers, finding a hole so I could get in my groove.  But I got there.  Finally got in my groove.  And then quickly fell out of it.  I didn't run the entire 3.2, which was frustrating, since I've run 3 miles straight lots of times.  It was HOT and I'm not used to running in the day time.  Since it's been so hot I've been running at 8p or later.  I also had to carry my goody bag with me the whole time.  Like I mentioned earlier, I was running late, so I didn't have time to make it back to my car before the race started.  Oh well.  Lesson learned.  Get there early or take a friend to hold your stuff!  I can still tell you the best part of the race and the worst for me.  Best was turning the corner onto Riverside Drive and feeling the incredible breeze come off the river.  Ahhh.  Worst would be turning the corner onto Beale and heading straight up hill.  Lord help.  At the end of the race we came into Auto Zone Park (Redbirds Stadium) and crossed the finish line right at third base.  That was pretty cool!  My time was ridiculously slow.  So slow that I'm not going to share.  :)  But I'm happy to at least have a time to beat at the next race. 

After the race Chick Fil A provided free chicken sandwiches (YUM!) and people just hung out in the stadium.  So fun!

I'm such a nerd, I know, but the most exciting part to me was getting my very first racing bib! 

Can't wait for the next race!




                                                                                             Jessica