For the Run of It

This is a non-craft related post so if you don't want to hear my blabbering....just skip over it :)  

Today, I participated in my first 5K race in about 3 years.   I used to race a lot before my last two children were born (competing often in 5Ks, 10Ks, 10 mile races and even a marathon).  My husband and I would compete with each other to see who could win the most medals!  But, I stopped running a lot when life got so busy with numerous military moves and lack of energy and drive----what I assume I can attribute to an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) that zapped me of my energy to run consistently.

In May, after years of battling chronic fatigue and a goiter, I was sent to an endocrinologist who put me on medication after the blood tests confirmed that my thyroid was attacking itself.  By my symptoms and visible appearance, she presumed that my thyroid has been sluggish or ineffective for years. 

After a just a month of medication, I had lost some of the unexplainable weight gain (particularly in my neck and face) and felt so much better.  With the increase of energy, I could run a lot more regularly (like the good ole days)!  And....I realized how much I missed it.  Running had become mundane and I really tried to find excuses to go to the gym or hit the sidewalks.  Feeling exhausted so often made me dread my workout days.  Not anymore...I cherish my runs and love the time to myself to unwind and just think about things.   Some days I run fast, some days I run slower...but the important thing is that I run.

A few weeks ago, I decided to register for a 5K race to keep me motivated.  That race was this morning.

I was super lucky---the weather here has been crazy lately but this morning it was beautiful---the sun was shining and at race start it was 78 degrees.  (Perfect!)

Before I left, I insisted that my husband and kids NOT come to the race. It was only a mile away but I really did not want to have any pressure to do well and if I did have to stop or ran slower than I usually did....I didn't want to disappoint anyone but myself.   It was too long since I had done this so I didn't know what to expect.

Well, he ended up bringing my two youngest (the oldest is spending the week with her dad.) I didn't know they were there until after I ran through the finish line.  It was so fun to have them see me doing something that was such a big part of my life before they were born.  And, they were pretty impressed to see their mom in a race.  They didn't care how fast or slow I was...just loved seeing me do it!

My son (a TOTAL details person) ran up to me and said "Mom, you were the fourth woman and the 20th finisher overall.....I counted!" Ha!  He expressed an interest in trying to run a race soon as well :)

Although, the race field was not super competitive or large,  it was good enough for me.  I was thrilled with my finish* and was just happy to finish feeling good.

Here is my medal---2nd place in Female 31-40 age group. (Yep, even though I finished 4th overall for women, the third place finisher was also in my age group...drats! )  I am really proud of this one because I could not have done this just a few months ago.

After the race.  (Thank goodness this is not a scratch-and-sniff picture! SWEATY!)

 

*For my running friends out there, here are my official race details.

Finish time:  23:35 (7:35 min/mile pace) ; 4th place female overall; 20/150 overall finish; 2nd place female 31-40 age group.

Off to put my feet up for awhile and watch some Olympics!  Thanks for stopping by!