As I mentioned in my spring race plans post, this past weekend was filled with running adventures. It all began on Saturday with a local 5K at the high school where I graduated, followed by a road trip to Ponchatoula Louisiana for a 10K and the strawberry festival. (More on that in a later post!)
On Saturday morning, the weather was iffy. Lots of rain, wind, tornado warnings, etc. Thankfully, it all held off and our events (the 5K and an Easter egg hunt) were able to go off as planned! This race also wasn't set to start until 9 a.m., which I thought was odd and kind of late for a race, especially one in April in the south. This 5K was the kickoff to an all-day event, so once I saw the schedule, it made more sense as to the timing of it all.
As I mentioned, this race was at the school where I graduated, so it was fun being back and seeing all of the memories and familiar faces. This school is actually preK3-12, so I spent a LOT of years there. When I walked in the front door, I heard my Spanish name "ROSITA" (long story) and my Spanish 2 teacher was there to greet me with a big hug. It was so much fun seeing her again! (Y'all, it's been almost 20 years since I graduated!)
My sweet dad came along as my race support while Jason took Brayden to our church's Easter egg hunt (and I met up with them later).
Being back in the gym where I spent SO much time was so weird!
They even kept our poster with our softball winnings! I was on the 1999 & 2000 teams!
After a little opening ceremony, it was time to begin the race. Thankfully, the race director is a runner and knew we were ready to get going, so we only stayed in the opening cerremonies for a short amount of time.
This race was small and once they called "GO" I quickly realized that I was in the lead. What. The. Heck. I had read about all of the roads to turn on, but wasn't sure I could remember them. Thankfully, the course was well marked and I was able to follow the signs just right!
After finding my groove, I just kept focusing on moving forward. It was warm and humid and I was running fast (for me). My first mile clocked in at a 7:47 and I knew I couldn't keep that up all three miles. I also had a guy on my heels and I didn't want him to pass me. This course was not closed either, so the cars on the road made me a little nervous.
I did grab a cup of water at two of the water stops, but I kept running while drinking the water (which was kind of a mistake). I also kept willing for it to rain so I could cool off a bit! Unfortunately, it never did.
As we passed the 3.1 mile mark, the guy that was behind me passed me (of course) and went on to cross the finish line just a few steps ahead of me.
After he turned around, I realized who he was and made a joke about it. I work with his dad! Small world, huh?
I seriously gave this race all I had. My lungs were burning and I just couldn't go anymore. Even though I didn't cross in first, I still placed as first female and received a certificate towards a pair of shoes from our local running store! (This was our 2nd annual Warrior 5K and I also placed as first female last year!)
After grabbing a bottle of water and saying goodbye to everyone, my dad and I set out for our church and the Easter egg hunt.
On the way there, I was talking about my PR and mentioned that I didn't come anywhere close to it, even though I felt like I was running fast (for me). My dad asked if I was sure...so I looked it up and much to my surprise, I DID PR...by 14 second with an average pace of 8:02 per mile!
I could not believe it! Having a PR at a race held by my school is extra special to me, so this one means just that much more, especially since my previous PR was from 2015 (and pre-baby)!
It was a great start to the weekend and I couldn't wait to see what the rest of it had in store (more great running things to come so stay tuned)!
Have you ever had that nostalgic return-to-your-high-school kind of feeling?
Congrats on your PR! It's always such a great feeling when you give a race your all and get rewarded with a PR. I would love to do a race by my old school - that would be so nostalgic and fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It really is an amazing feeling!
DeleteWe are in the middle of organising a get-together for our 20 year High School Reunion! I still think of us as kids but many of us have kids of our own now, and some people's kids are already teenagers! Still feels so weird sometimes! I should actually suggest a race and see how many of them join in! What an awesome PR for you and time!! Glad your dad was there to support.
ReplyDeleteHow fun!! I'll be at 20 years next year. So weird!!
DeleteWow! Congrats on winning the 5K!!! That is awesome. I was a teacher for 30+ years, and I don't think I could remember the names of too many students I had in class 20 years ago. Kudos to your Spanish teacher. You must have been a standout kind of kid! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha thank you! I told her I wasn't sure if she would remember me and she said "You always remember the special ones..." So sweet!
DeleteCongrats!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy!
DeleteWhat a fun race and congrats on your PR! Now I know to know the story about your Spanish name. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell...so, my Spanish 1 name was "Karina" (with a different teacher). This teacher came in for her first year of teaching during my senior year and taught Spanish 2. She had cards with Spanish names on them and we had to have them on our desks for class. Sadly, she didn't have a "Karina" card, so she told me to pick one. I picked Rosita and it stuck...apparently for almost 20 years! :) Now you know the story! Haha!!
DeleteWhat a special race to do so well in - big congrats on being the first female! I can’t imagine running a race with no one in front of me...that’s the stuff of elites!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I know what you mean, but this race was super small! It was SO WEIRD being up close to the front!
DeleteHow fun to go back to your old school and run a race. Nice job on that speedy finish!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was so neat to be back!
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