SacMomsClub.com

At 6:00AM this past Saturday, my alarm rudely interrupted my blissful sleep to let me know it was time to get up, and get ready for the American River Parkway 5K run. Two hours later I found myself meeting fellow SacMomsClub mom AmandaS., live and in-person. We had chatted about the race ahead of time and she even offered to let me park my car at her place, rather than fight my way for a spot there. It was so wonderful to meet yet another cool mom from the site and her two beautiful girls. To be chauffeured by her tall, handsome husband in their beautiful new car also gave me pep in my step for the 5K.

Unlike myself, Amanda had been walking and training on the trails for a while now. I knew as soon as we hit the event that I would be like a cement block around her cute running shoes and drag that girl down with me. In spite of my many suggestions that she leave me in the dust, she refused and we held tight the whole time.

We lined up to start the race and my heart was pounding. Amanda looked like she’d been running for years in athletic garb. We started off at a good pace, pounding the trail and breaking away from some of the pack. Amanda was so funny and interesting that I was more interested in hearing about her than in making good time. She kept a great pace and I tried to keep up with her as best I could. About ½ a mile in, I was really regretting that my only “training” had been walking my dogs around the block. Amanda rooted me on as my face quickly turned red and my breathing sounded like I smoke a pack a day. In short, I was pathetic. I checked out our competition; Grandmothers, children, pregnant women, women pushing strollers. My eyes landed on a “mature” woman in red and her adult daughter. I told Amanda “I’m not going to let them beat me!” and hustled it up a bit more.

Halfway through I saw a little dip in the road. I told Amanda “Let’s jog a little!” My father-in-law had suggested this technique. Amanda said that she heard you were supposed to jog for two minutes, and then walk for five. “I’ll settle for jogging for 30seconds and walking for five!” I told her. We did just that from crack in the path to crack in the path. On the fourth time we were jogging, I felt my bad knee slip out of its socket a little (in spite of my pro-knee brace). I stopped the running right away. At this point we were closing in on the finish line (about .5 miles to go). I insisted Amanda break away from me and jog the rest of the way. I couldn’t take holding her back and ruining her time for one more second. She finally agreed and looked like she’d been running for years as she sprinted off toward the finish line. I was soon passed by a man in a chili pepper suit handing out coupons and a five year old, and I came to fully realize the extent of my pathetic shape. The crowd was amazing! Music was playing, people were cheering! Encouraged by this support (and refusing to be licked by a chili pepper), I sucked it up and gingerly jogged the last .1 mile.

I finished 180^th with an official time of 46.28. That’s 46minutes and 28seconds. My personal best! Amanda finished 176^th with an official time of 45.46! That’s out of 232 people. Hey! I wasn’t last! I’ll take it.

After the race we hung out at the SacMomsClub booth and enjoyed gabbing away. We looked for fellow SacMomsClub mom blahblahblah at the ½ marathon finish line, but didn’t see her. I can’t wait to hear how she did, as it was her first half marathon! She’s been training like crazy.

As we were watching the other “real” runners come into finish, I was struck by what a unique cultural experience it is. People’s family and friends were there, strangers taking pictures, signs, balloons, flowers, music… It was a giant celebration of a physical accomplishment. I felt like a big faker being there. Like an Anthropologist studying a mysterious culture. I swore to myself that I would work much harder to train next time.

Amanda and I then took off and had a well-earned cup of coffee together. I honestly felt like I had known her for years and could have easily spent the entire day at the coffee shop with her. This is what I love about SacMomsClub! Without it, I wouldn’t have entered the 5K, met Amanda or jogged at all! I told Amanda that without her, I’m sure I would have finished last, or at least had passed the hour mark.

Next year, I want to do the ½ marathon and get a medal (everyone who ran/walked the ½ got one). Jewelry is always a big incentive for me!