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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Getting a running start for the New Year!

Yep, I did it again. I survived another 5K.

The Dude and I took off this morning and headed to Wichita for the race. We got started later than I had wanted to, and there were a few moments of nervous panic when we couldn't find a place to park, but we ended up getting there with about 15 minutes to spare.

The weather was beautiful - but it was COLD! It was one of those days where if you were in the sun, it wasn't bad - but get in the shadow of a building and wow - yeah - it was cold.

So here are your complimentary shots of the day. :)

First, the crowd at the start. Of course, I made my way to the back of the pack to get started so that I wouldn't get trampled by the speed demons. I might be slow, but I'm not dumb.




I kept my phone with me to use my running app, but I couldn't resist snapping a couple of pictures. It was just a beautiful day. If you look closely, you can see the runners coming back up on the other side of the river.



The Dude had Daniel and my camera at the finish line, and he got some pictures of some of the more interesting characters in the race...



....and then there was me.




After the race, we opted to not stick around for the complimentary chili and cocoa - there were just too many people, so we headed back to the van to go out to lunch. Daniel has definitely found himself a new buddy in The Dude - or maybe it's the other way around. Either way, it's a good thing, and seeing moments like this makes me smile.



So we hit the Golden Corral for lunch...and dessert...






So the final results are as follows:

My official time: 42:29
Pace: 13:44 per mile
Overall ranking: 316th out of 384
Ranking for age group (40-44, female): 23rd out of 27
Ranking for all females: 163rd out of 212

Overall, I'm happy with it. It wasn't my best 5K time, but it wasn't my worst. I've been working on finding more races so that I can meet my goal of doing one per month, and I have a bunch lined out. The Dude has already graciously offered to help in any way that he can.

Which leads me to my final thought for the night....The Dude.

He has been so amazing to me and to my kids - but today in particular, he did something that means more to me than I can ever explain.

He was there for me. He was at the start and he was waiting for me at the finish - and he supported me and cheered for me and honestly, inspired me to keep going until the end. Knowing that he was there waiting for me made running 3.1 miles worth it. When in the past, I've been told that I could never do something like this, he reminded me that I could do it.

And for that, I can't thank him enough.

I'm crazy about this guy - just in case you didn't know that already.

13 comments:

  1. I intend first to reiterate something I said in the Van, when you told me you were nervous. You are the mother of 5 kids. Gorgeous, intelligent they may be, but in each of their own individual ways and in the group dynamic, a handful. There is nothing that this world can through at you that you cannot overcome, because daily you take on the world to provide for and protect those kids.
    I was as pleased as a peacock staring at his reflection to be able to root you on from start to finish and honored that not only did you trust me to take Daniel, all on my lonesome, but that we got to have such a good time, bonding and just goofing off.
    I promise to do my best to support you in the things that you want to engage in, that matter to you and it means alot to me that I can provide you a buffer to go do these things, without worry.
    You're an amazing person and I'm made better daily, just being with you.

    Oh... and in case no one knew it yet... I'm crazy about you too!
    Daniel dipping his own rice krispy treat? Priceless!

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  2. Congrats, on the 5k and the Dude!

    -ancora

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  3. See, I'm pooped... and spelled throw way wrong! LOL...

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  4. I just love this!! Love that you ran it; love that the Dude took such good care of you and your adorable little boy . . . and I am proud of what you accomplished today!!!! Bravo sister!!

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  5. ancora and El - thank you so much! It was really a great day!

    Kerry - you're amazing. Period. Every day, you surprise me with something else, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store! ;)

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  6. I am so proud of you! Seriously, look how far you have come in the last few years. You have amazed me year after year with all of your fabulous qualities and yet you continue to amaze and impress me. Keep up the good work and send some of that motivation my way!

    Love,
    Shanna

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  7. Thanks Kateri!

    Shanna - Darn it, you made me cry! I love you, girl - thank you for always being there for me. I know that life has gotten in the way over the past few months and we really need to catch up one of these days. <3

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  8. I RAN MY RACE TOO. I ROCKED ALL DAY. YOU AMAZE ME EVERYDAY WITH ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR FAMILY. I'M GLAD YOU FOUND SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF TO ENJOY. IF YOU EVER LET THE DUDE GO, YOU'LL REALLY LOSE SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL.HE'S WHAT I CALL SUPER AND FOR THIS DAY AND AGE RARE. HE'S GO FATHER MATERIAL. JUST LOOK AT THAT CHILDS FACE. YOU CAN TELL HE LOVES THE DUDE. PLUS, HE MIGHT BE JUST WHAT DANIEL NEEDS. A MALE FIGURE IN HIS YOUNG LIFE. DANIEL WAS SMILING IN HIS PICTURES. YOU COULD SEE HOW HAPPY HE WAS.I DON'T MEAN TO PUT THE DUDE ON THE SPOT BUT IF A COMPLETE STRANGER CAN SEE THE LOVE, WHY NOT? GIGGLE GIGGLE.

    NOW ON TO YOU AMY. HIGH FIVES TO RUNNING THE RACE. GRANNY'S PROUD OF YOU.

    GRANNY

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  9. AMY, ANY MISTAKES I MAKE BLAME IT ON OLD BRAIN TO/TS.

    GRANNY

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  10. This post: Awesome! Everything about it. You inspire the rest of us and give us hope that there are some good guys out there! Congrats on reaching another goal!
    ~Debbie

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  11. Wow, your post is AMAZING!!! Your 'Dude' is AMAZING! It reminds me that there just might be some amazing men left out there... one's who believe in their women.
    CHEERS!
    Kim

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  12. Thank you Granny, Debbie, and Kim - I appreciate the kind words. I do think that he's pretty amazing! ;)

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