Really, we do! In fact just a little over a week ago, I ran my first 5k race “Women Rock MN” to prove it!!
Back in January I wrote a post titled “Accountability” where I talked about how I was going to start holding myself accountable for my actions. I was going to exercise, eat better, and ultimately be my own best self. Well after several months of hard work, and a few struggles along the way, I decided it was time to really show myself just how far I had come. And thanks to my friend Karen, I was given the opportunity to do so on Saturday, August 31st, 2013 when I ran the Women Rock MN 5k race in downtown St. Paul.
It was a beautiful day for a run. I made my way to the starting line about a minute before the race officially started — what can I say, I like to keep things interesting — and lined up at the back of the pack. I had been training for this race since July and had given myself a range of time to finish in, and since I didn’t have a clue about how an actual race was run, I figured this was as good a spot as any to line up.
And we were off… I struggled a bit to find my rhythm at first, my playlist was having some technical difficulties, and I was figuring out how to navigate between the walkers and runners ahead of me; once I passed the rather large ferret-like roadkill just past the starting line (Gross!), the Black Eyed Peas song “The Time” started filling my ears and it was pretty smooth sailing, err running, from there on out.
Luckily for me, my family made the trip to the cities with me, and were there to support me as I made my way to the finish line.
I finished my first 5k race one minute ahead of my training pace, and at the bottom end of the range I gave myself! Go me!! It was truly an amazing experience. One that has been and will continue to give me the drive I need to keep on going and to hold myself accountable. I can’t wait for my next race, and I look forward to the many new challenges I will present myself with in the future!
Oh yes, and did I mention… Women Rock!
