Stop And Look Around

So I did it. I ran the 5k in the Victory for Victims race at Lake Balboa yesterday morning. I was very nervous about it. I haven't run 3 miles in one shot in a long time. Stef reminded me to just take my time and enjoy it.
I was nervous because I hadn't run since the previous Saturday. And because I drank two beers the night before. I just thought I wasn't doing myself any favors. I made sure to drink plenty of water Sunday morning and ate my customary non-fat Greek yogurt with honey to ensure good hydration and energy.
Then I had to keep returning to the bathroom.
Then parking felt like it was 5k from the starting line so we had a schlep to begin with. I was getting nervous about the time. But we got our bibs and I was even able to change my registration from the 10 to the 5k. Then I lined up with the slower folks between the 10-minute-mile sign and the one for walkers/strollers/pet.
By the time I lined up I was feeling ready and excited.
The start was slow because of the number of people and also because we ran through a tunnel at the beginning of the race. In essence, we were fed through a bottleneck to begin. In short order I found my pace and the runners thinned out. It was a spectacularly beautiful day and we were running around one of my favorite parks in the San Fernando Valley: Lake Balboa.
I was feeling good; well-hydrated, plenty of energy.
I remembered to pay attention to the surroundings and I enjoyed seeing all the ducks, the birds skimming along the surface of the lake, the small, artificial waterfall, the young kids digging deep and running great.
I slowed to a quick walk a couple of times. If truth be told, I probably could have pushed through those and kept running if I'd had a partner. But I knew I had plenty of time before Stef finished her race, and even more time before Aaron and the kids arrived for their race. So I took my time and enjoyed the scenery.
I turned on the juice at the end and sprinted to the finish.
I got this email confirming my time:

Hi Barbara,

Congrats on finishing the Victory for Victims today! Your time of 34:07 gave you a pace of 10:58/M.

Please find a link to searchable results below:

http://racewire.com/live_results.php?id=3130&bibnumber=1958

Thanks!

The RaceWire Team

I'm not particularly proud of the time. But I am happy I did the race. More so that it felt good. And I still plan to do a 10k before the end of the year.