Saturday, April 19, 2008
Yes, you read that right. I ran a race. Not just a one-mile fun run, but a real deal 5K. Well, almost. It's kind of a long story, but basically the cop driving the lead car and guiding us on the 5K course, took about .3 off the course on accident, so it was really more of like a 2.7 mile 5k rather than a 3.1 5k...but regardless, it's the same thing. A race of epic proportions.
Yes, I am 7 months pregnant. Yes, I did finish. Yes, it was slower than I wish it was, but only by about 2-3 minutes slower than I ran pre-preggo...so I felt pretty good about the whole thing. I had full intentions of running my last race at 6 months pregnant, but Lord willing I am still in decent enough shape to run now. It was a bit chilly for April, but I braved it anyway and I am so grateful I did. Amazed...and grateful that God has gifted me with legs that can still move at a 24:50 5k pace while carrying another life inside me, but also that this little dude inside of me got to experience this event with me in a way that no one else in my life can. Pretty neat to think about him just hanging out in there while I'm trying to bust out a race.
If you've ever run a race before, you know the worst part is getting passed by a certain group of people. In my case, this group is men or women with baby joggers. When they pass me, I just get so burned up inside. Mostly because I think, "They are carrying at least 20 lbs. more than I am (stroller plus child) and are passing by me right now with the greatest of ease! What is the deal?!?!" For the very first time in my life, I got to feel what it was like to be on the other end of that deal. For the first time in my life, I didn't care who in the world passed me, my goal was to finish...so for competitive, Monica-like Kara, that's pretty huge. Seriously.
A friend of ours also ran the race and he knew a couple who ran also. In talking with them the wife said to him that it made her so mad that a "little pregnant girl" passed her during the race. As she pointed to me, our friend said, "Oh yeah, I know her. She's seven months pregnant, can you believe that?" And the girl, standing in disbelief walked away feeling like the baby jogger had just passed her. The best part, and please don't take this the wrong way, was finishing the race and finding out I had made someone feel like I have felt in way too many races...and oh how I wish I could describe the sheer elation it was. Not because I made her feel bad, but because for the first time in my life, I had a real-life "passing with pride" experience and was able to hear how the other side felt! Call me crazy. Yes, I'll admit that I am, but seriously, it
finishing the race and hearing that comment made my (and BT's) day!
Here's a few pics...for the memory book:
Getting my number on...
Confused why Taylor is stretching
Here I come...charging the finish
Me and my banana, my sick hubby, and Taylor
My biggest fan!
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