The Larson's: Pretty RAD

I had a goal for 2013 to run a 5K...I had this goal for various reasons, one to try running since it's never been a strength or even desire of mine. Another to find a hobby since I have, well, none. I wanted to have something to work towards, something that when I finished I could feel a sense of accomplishment. For some a 5K isn't a big deal. It's like 3.1 miles and some people have been able to run all their lives without any problems. Well, let me tell you something, I am not one of those people, I hadn't even ran a whole mile until recently. My friends always made fun of me for the way I ran in school, which didn't help that I was already self conscious about it anyway. I don't know why, maybe I ran like a dancer which was probably true. I could never breathe correctly while I ran. I was/am slow, very slow. Running always hurt my hips, and I mean hurt like hell, couldn't walk for days no matter how much I stretched before/after or anything. I had a lot of things going against me with this goal, mostly previous voices in my head that wouldn't shut up. Hips that make me feel like an 90 year old woman when I get out of bed in the morning. Luckily, with the help of massage therapy, foam rollers, constant stretching while sitting at a desk all day, research, C25K program, finding my own pace and breathing technique I am proud to say I ran (most of) a 5K. No, I didn't run the whole thing which is mostly my fault with a few excuses thrown in but I ran 95% of it while everyone else walked it.

I really do feel a sense of accomplishment because I did this on my own. I had the idea, trained and ran by myself. Getting closer to race day running was the last thing I wanted to do, but I'm so proud of myself for going through it with. While the Color Me Rad isn't a race I will ever do by myself again, I'm glad I did a relaxed one for my first time. It was pretty fun to get paint and corn starch thrown at me so it is a race I'll do again, just with a friend if I have one. Well, enough rambling about my sad life, here's a few pictures of my mess!

Can I tell you that this run was beautiful! It was on top of the old Airport in STG and overlooked the city and it was absolutely gorgeous weather! So I think when I visit now I'll be hitting up a few runs that I missed out on while growing up in that amazing town.