I Chased the Night. And Won.

So, I ran a 5k.

This post is a long time coming... I thought I'd come home that night and write about the experience, but the more I thought about the whole thing, the less I knew how to talk about it. One thing I can say is that it was a very... personal experience. Almost like, "don't kiss and tell," I can't run and tell. Running, there in the city that enamors my soul, listening to songs that provoke such wonderful highs and emotional experiences, conquering myself, my fears, my insecurities, my weaknesses--it was very intimate. Which I guess is why it's almost difficult to know how to include you in it. 

I will say that it was incredible. The entire day I was more excited than I was for, like, Senior Prom. I'd rather don Oasics and a sports bra than an up-do and heels. I learned that about myself that night. There were about 1,200 runners, and when you add all the people there volunteering and cheering from the sidelines, etc, it was a huge event. 

As I recall the whole night, I'm getting almost misty eyed. I want to go back there. I want to be in that glowing, flickering crowd of fireflies again. I want to pant into the first cold night of the season, the skyscrapers soaring above me to my left, the glare of the city-cars below them, some honking and cheering us on--orange cones the only thing separating me from their paths, that and Atlanta Policemen directing traffic. It was truly the most enjoyable experience of my life. And honestly, without a shadow of a doubt, the coolest thing I've ever done, that I've ever been a part of. Thousands of people fighting our innate laziness and getting off our asses, pushing ourselves, glowing in crazy outfits, and just running. I can tell you one thing--I'm running again soon. Like, another 5k, pronto.

Before the year is out and 2012 stretches its loving arms wide for a welcoming embrace, I want to run a 10k as well. When I run the Peachtree Road Race next year, I fully intend on actually racing in that one. Not just running/completing. I also just want to run another 5k soon because I wanna shave several minutes off my time. Which is below. :)

42:20 is the gun time, but I was pretty far back in the throng of 1,200 runners; 40:48 is my tag time (from start to finish).

I'm really proud of myself. Although a 13:08 average isn't fantastic as far as running goes, it still means I jogged the whole thing, and didn't take one step to walk. Oh, and did I mention almost the entire race had a slight uphill slant? My hips are screaming, still, two days later. Before Saturday, the farthest I had ran without stopping to walk at all was 1.5 miles. Then I'd ran 3.1 miles with a few walking breaks, and 2 miles with just one walking break. So you see why I'm beaming with pride. Also, I have to add--I felt GREAT afterward. I wasn't even that tired... I definitely felt that I could have pushed myself much farther and harder than I did (like, I could have easily ran another mile when I was done!). But my dad had encouraged me to keep a slow pace the whole time, where I would fine myself saying, "Ugh, I could go faster!" the whole time, to ensure that I didn't wear myself out. It was great advice, since it made me able to jog the entire time. I'm really anxious to try again and push myself more!

And so the journey continues. October is filled with MANY new goals, challenges, guidelines, and plans. I'll probably post about them soon, but I had to let the 5k experience come out onto these pages before I lost the details/drive to write about it.

And now, some photography.

Pre-race Arrival at the park.

Because I love the city, I took a picture of this building closeby to the park/where we parked. Two cool fun facts about this picture-- 1. I shot this and realized there was a Canadian flag in the shot (so perfect, shout out to my inspiration BEN DAVIS!) and 2. Coincidentally, we ended up eating dinner in this building after the race!

When we got there and I turned to my right and saw the starting line down the street, my knees almost buckled and I got butterflies. I'll never forget that moment.

I was so excited. So excited. My first running number ever (now proudly on my wall).

Sexy awesome glowingness.

I thought this would look all cool and artistic, but the glasses kinda kill it. I didn't even end up wearing them in the race!

Post Race Joy. (And awkward arms. You can tell I'm not comfortable being in front of the camera... oh the struggles of being a photographer)

You'll see me proudly donning this shirt OFTEN.

 BONUS!

I went for a walk at the Botanical Gardens today, and this was a lovely shot I got by the creek of the path I was on.

Thank you to ALL OF YOU who have encouraged me through the process and sent so many loving and heart-lifting texts this weekend... You made the experience so wonderful, and I'm so blessed to be surrounded by so much support!