I did it! And so did they!

Today was the 5k- The Race for Grace my first 5k, ever. In case it isn't clear what a non runner I am, when I was in school I ran a 12 minute mile when that was all we did in class. I've never run a second mile until just a couple weeks ago, so I was nervous about hitting mile three (5K = 3.1 miles), only to say "Just a little farther." But my pottery friend was involved in organizing this fundraiser, since she was a friend of the family that lost their daughter to cancer. She promised that there would be people walking the whole course, so we couldn't be last. So I figured, why not?

Reflections of Grace was hoping to get 300 people to come, and raise $25,000 dollars for their first fundraiser. I was told that the race numbers were given out numerically, and I saw at least 930. The fundraising goal was also met weeks before the race, not counting the money from concessions, the bake sale, the silent auction, Chinese auction, face painting or any of that. It was pretty exciting to see this nascent non-profit blow past their goals like that, and obviously it was a pretty fun day overall

For myself, my goal was to be back before the awards ceremony and hour and fifteen after the start. Not that I was worried about missing my trophy, but I had no idea how long this might take, especially if I coughed up a lung before the first mile was out. Why worry about that? Look at the topo for this race! Who wouldn't be scared about that final climb up to the finish? I am quite happy to say that we actually finished in under 38 minutes, Matt ran with me. I guess this means I am signing up for the Race for the Cure on Mother's Day- Any one want to try to run a 5k with me?

------ UPDATE-----
Turns out you can register as a 'Team' without Racing for the Cure at the same site. That is, we could form a team with members in Juneau, Seattle, Austin, Pittsburgh and Sonoma, if you all had interest in in teaming up. Then it would be like we ran a 5K together. It's like they say, the family that runs together, cures cancer together.

Intimidated? Check out this easy training program Couch to 5K in 10 weeks.