Bellevue 5K

Bellevue 5K, otherwise known as Welcome Back 5K!  Today was my first foray back into the land of racing.  Let's do a little rewind first, and see how I got here.  The Cliff Notes version (get it, cliff?  I crack myself up!): 2010 was the rise and fall of my running career.  I had never really liked running at all, but had started to dabble in it - run one song.  Then it was run two songs.  And then I had run a mile continuously!!  I continued to build and there I was - running my first 5K without stopping, running (with some walking) the Princess half, watching my personal records fall left and right.  For awhile it seemed as if each 5K or 10K I ran I was setting a new record for myself.  I was on my way to becoming a runner!  And then came the fateful day in Italy.  Long story short (with some dramatics thrown in, because I do so like the dramatics!) I fell off a cliff and ended up with a sprained MCL (grade 2, whatever that means).  And there has been virtually no running (or anything else) for about 5 months now.  Which catches us up and brings us to this morning.

But let's back up, shall we?  To the night before, where I decided to mess with my iPod.  Why did I do that the night before?  Good news, I now have new songs on my iPod.  Even if I stayed up past my bedtime.

Race Morning!!  I got to the race site, parked and headed for registration.  Holy Registration Line!  It was down and around.  It ended up eating all my extra time.  I got my t-shirt and since I didn't have enough time I tied it around my waist.  I had just enough time to do a little stretching (not even enough time to visit the port-o-potty!) before they started us off!

My goal was to alternate running and walking, using songs to tell me when to switch.  I started off running and almost immediately (or so it seemed) we were climbing up a hill.  I was about to give in and walk when song #1 ended and I could legitimately walk! :)  Thank goodness!!

At this point my fingers were freezing!!  I had debated gloves, but decided against it.   I regretted that decision until I passed the 1 mile mark.  My fingers had warmed up by then.   I settled into a good rhythm and leapfrogged with several people who were also doing run/walk intervals.

I knew I was going to have a decision to make.  With my pattern I was going to finish on a walk song.  So do I run 2 songs and finish strong?  Or keep with my pattern?  My knee seemed to be doing okay, but I didn't want to push it.  I compromised.  I walked briefly until I was the 6 mile sign (for the 10Kers) and realized I just had 2 tenths of a mile left.   I tried to turn on the afterburners but the 5 months of near inactivity and the hill I was climbing didn't quite let me.  I had to walk up the last little bit of the hill before I somewhat turned on the afterburners to cross the finish line.

Now I could say my time really didn't matter to me.  But that wouldn't be true.  I really wanted to finish in under 45 minutes.  And, well I finished in 45:28 - close but no cigar.  Oh well, there is always next time.