A Running Race Day

After having to lay down my April race events I had wanted to do (a local 5K and 1/2 marathon) because of knee issues, I finally got to run in my first race event of 2007. I hadn't run a 5K race since last Fall. And it was a great day, perfect weather, and a nice flat course with only 4 turns. My goal was to get under 30 minutes which I did, but I didn't get my personal best. I was off by 1 minute and 26 seconds. But I still had a great run and feel pleased with how I did.

This morning my oldest daughter woke up and wanted to go with me. It was great to have her there. As I rounded the last bend and saw the finish, I first heard her cheering me on and then I looked up and saw her. It gave me my last push to finish strong and hard.

I had been neck and neck with a lady named Susan. We pretty much ran the last 2 miles right next to one another. We chatted a bit as we ran. She was one year older than I and I kept thinking I can't let her beat me and I'm going to have to really fight to get ahead. I did and it felt good. As I neared the finish, I saw a gray headed older man ahead of me. I remembered when he passed by me during the run. I thought, "Run, Diane, run! You can't let that little ol' man beat you!" I gave it everything and I ran passed him! Yeah! My treasured verse kept ringing in my ear, "run in such a way as to win!"

I didn't get into the top three in my age group, but I was in the top 12! I placed 11th out of 32 in my age group. And overall, I placed 53rd out of 180 other females. I'll take it.

As far as my running mileage for this past week, I ran 4 miles outside on Monday and then 3 miles outside on Thursday. Then my 5K or 3 miles today at the race. The race today was a charity run called, "Race for Miracles." It was the first time I ran for an event where 100 % of the money stays here and equally divided between the two children's hospitals in the area. It is always good to have a purpose for running in a race. Today it was for sick children and I was happy to be part of it.