Do it or not.....

Tonight was the Donut Alley Rally 5k.   Part of me REALLY wanted to do it.  After All, I have done this run for the last few years.   But then part of me really did NOT want to do this run.  After All, I haven't had a good run in AGES. My runs have been dismal and painful.  I really had a lack luster approach.  When my parents asked if I was doing it, I replied "I'm supposed to be doing it"  and the next time I answered, "I'm registered to do it."   Notice there was no commitment in those responses.  None at all.  I went and picked up my packet on Thursday night and I STILL was not overly committed to doing this run.  I may have actually prayed that something would happen to keep me from doing it.  I went back and forth.  I dind't expect a great run....I expected a dismal run actually.

I still didn't have a clue if I was going to do it when I left work on Friday at 2.  I filled my afternoon with activities (I went out and picked up a couple geocaches.)  I went back home and lounged around.  Really, I had no clue what was happening.

Finally I decided to do it.  I threw on the first exercise clothes that I touched.  Nope, there was definitely NO thought or planning.  And I prepared to leave.  My brother said this would probably e my best and most favorite run because I was heading into it with no expectations so there could be no disappointments.

I knew that since this was a timed event that I would have an official time.  So I opted to not even run any GPS tracking on my phone.  I actually out of habit put on my heart rate monitor chest strap, but I never tracked a single heart beat.  I just ran.  

Off I went.  I killed some time before the run and had a few minutes to talk to my friend Kristen.  I talked a few minutes via Facebook with another friend that was doing the run and before I knew it, it was time to start.

  The gun went off and we were off.  Ok, if you've ever run a race you know it's more like we were 'crawling'.   I started to run.  A nice easy pace..but I ran.  I made it about a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half before I took a little walk break.  The last half of the run I intervaled it out....no set intervals, just run walk at what felt good.   

It wasn't exactly pretty.  It wasn't exactly a great run.  But you know what?????  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  And that first mile and a half stretch of running.....VICTORY!!!!!!

My results.....I've run a 5k faster.....but you know what?  I've run a slower 5k before (more than once).

By golly, maybe I CAN do this half marathon!!!!!