I ran a 5k!!
Posted in Family by: Alisa
That’s right. Just this morning I ran the Marsh Madness 5k in Palo Alto. It was right off of Embarcadero on the trail through the marsh. It’s flat the whole way which is good because not only did I not train for this, I especially did not train for hills. So, phew. I’ve been running 3 miles once a week for a little while now so I knew I could finish the race. I also knew I would be near the back because I run really slow. Really slow. Like a tortoise, and I was running with a bunch of hares.
There was one lady who almost got herself shoved into the marsh by little old me because she kept run/walking around me. She would walk and I would pass her and 
then she would flat footed stomp up behind me like she was a monster attacking and then pass me just to stop right in front of me and start walking again. We did this for 3/4 of the race and I seriously wanted to scream at her. If only I had a different gear to switch into I would have left her in the dust. But alas, I have one speed. Tortoise.
I felt really good about myself at the halfway point because as I turned around to head back to the finish line I passed quite a few people. Then I got almost in sight of the finish line and almost every single one of those people passed me. I got so mad I started walking. Those 
people had been walking most of the time and then they just turned it on and easily overtook me. I was also mad because quite a few of the people who were running the 10k zoomed past me. They started 5 minutes before me and ran twice as far and were still finishing the race before me. So I walked for a little bit and had a pity party with myself then when I thought I was almost to the end I kicked it into tortoise gear again and finished the race.
It was so nice to see Scott and the boys waiting for me. Oli held out his arms to give e a hug as I ran past. They were so excited to see me running in the race. Before I started Max asked me if I was going to finish 1, 2 or 3 
and I laughed and said this was just for fun and that I would be near the end. At least I told him the truth. I think there might have still been a couple of people behind me but not many. I’m just glad I ran this on my own. I would have hated to hold my friends back. Everyone seems to be avid runners and I’m just a once a week so I can justify all the junk food I eat kind of runner. I’ve heard that running is addictive but it hasn’t caught me yet.
Scott is very actively trying to get me psyched for the next time and I’m trying to buy into it. I know that running is good for my body and it is probably even good for my soul so I’m not hanging up the towel yet. I just expected some kind of adrenaline rush as I crossed the finish line and all I felt was disappointment. At least I know what to expect now, right? I know I’m slow. I know I’ll be passed by numberless concourses of people. I know now that I need to get my sensor removed from my shoe before I go to see my family so I don’t get yelled at next time. I know that I can get a sausage McMuffin with egg and and orange juice after the race so maybe that’s all that matters. A sweet reward for something I do once a week anyways. I guess I’m saying, bring on the next one!
What have your running experiences been like?
Btw, my time for the 5k was 48 minutes. Goooooo me!
October 25th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Rock on, Alisa!! You did it and you looked great doing it–super cute running outfit, by the way. So sad I didn’t get to run this with you; I wish I had a “I’d rather be running a 5k t-shirt” because I would have worn it to my prop 8 meetings this morning. I agree about it being a little defeating having all the people pass by, too, something I hadn’t really expected when I ran my one and only race last spring. But I was so happy to see that finish line that I think my relief eventually overtook the shame of being slow. Nothin’ wrong with bein’ a tortoise!
October 25th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Great going Alisa! I think you are an awesome example to your kids and to me, the real tortise. I can’t imagine finishing a race like that so fast. If it were me, I would carry a lounge chair strapped to my back to sleep in, thus the three day finish for me. In all seriousness, way to go!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Awesome job, Alisa! I forgot that this was today! I’m so impressed! You should really be proud of yourself. I was supposed to do this with you and was too lazy to even get my act together enough to be nearly as fast as a tortoise. When all this house garbage is through, I can start spending some more time at the gym and maybe do one with you next time. Way to go!
October 26th, 2008 at 12:48 am
Good job sweetie!
October 26th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
dude Alisa you’re awesome- I don’t even have a tortoise speed so don’t feel bad about it, at least you’re running! I love the pictures of you by yourself, if I didn’t know any better it would at least look like you were ahead of the pack. Congrats!
October 27th, 2008 at 7:43 am
wow your arms look great!
I hate that at 5Ks there are all these little kids running circles around the adults and the adults that run with a kid or TWO(!) in an umbrella stroller, like they were just passing by and decided to run the 5K..