This morning I ran my 2nd 5k for this year, a charity run benefiting the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton. (To learn more about this organization, click here.) It was also the 2nd race Andrew ran with me. I LOVE sharing this sport with him!
It was a much, much, MUCH smaller run than the Surf City 5k I ran last month. That one had about 5,000 runners in the 5k, and over 25,000 total competitors. This one had maybe 200-300 total. It actually makes me a little sad to think that more of those runners didn't also come out to support these men and women who are on their way back to Afghanistan next month.
My niece Kristen, Andrew and I met up to run this one together since it is so close to where Kristen is living these days. At 8:00am, the Marines lined up and ran cadence, something I always enjoy watching. And then at 8:30, we gathered at the start and we were off.
My goal was to run this one in 26 minutes. Last month, probably because I spent too much time looking at the water, I ran very close to 29 minutes. I'd been a bit sick the past two weeks, first with a stomach bug, and then this week, I thought I was catching what Andrew and Kristen both had -- congestion, sore throat, aches... Luckily, mine was simply exhaustion. An good 11 hours of sleep Thursday night (Thank You Craig!!), and I felt like a new woman!
Anyway, I finished in 26:56!! Kristen was less than 40 seconds ahead of me - not bad!! Keeping up with the 22 year olds - woo-hoo!! Andrew, on the other hand, finished in 21:20. Kid doesn't even train and he kills it!! Can't wait to see him in the fall on the cross country team!
Highlights of the day included getting to talk to a few of the marines, and by far, the best part was this. Meeting a 77-year old woman who is still running strong! She finished the race a few minutes after I did, and when they announced that today was her birthday, I had to go over and say hello. Fascinating! She's been running for about 30 years, and her husband, a former gymnast, is also a runner. Together they have run marathons all over the United States. While I never expect to do something as ambitious as that, the idea of still being on the racing scene when I'm 77 years old, is so inspiring!! Kristen said she'd be sure to be right there with me -- and I'm sure she'll still be kicking my butt!
Next race: Irvine Lake Mud Run!!
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