My first 5K

Halfway there!

I really don't get the whole 5K thing, but boy, is it ever popular. So like groupies, my husband and I signed up for our first 5K run (walk). We couldn't think of a better cause than The House of Hope's Hope Challenge 5K.  

So, up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning, half asleep, we journeyed down to the Plaza and picked up our packet. Pinning the numbers on our shirt made us official. We watched as the true racers warmed up. Some had jogged over for the 5K. Me? I sat on the bench with another newbie and waited for race time.

Not long after, the crowd lined up. The gun sounded and off we went with the rest of the mob. I remember Steve commenting, "If we are going to do this, let's get some exercise." We picked up the pace. 

Not long into the race, we saw Polly and John, cheerleaders for the race. We hugged, but there was no time for chatting; we were racing! People passed us, we passed a few, but mostly, our pace remained steady. As we approached the half-way point, we saw other familiar faces: Julie and Audrey, my niece and her friend who were also cheerleaders. Julie snapped this photo -- proof that we made it at least halfway.

As we rounded the final curve, we could see the finish line. All kinds of people were waving and cheering us across. We made it! "Get some refreshments," they told us. A Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit? Why didn't they tell me? I would have walked much faster.

After the race, we reflected...a beautiful morning, good exercise, and a great cause. Sign me up for next year!