2008-06-18

I ran in a 5k race on June 7. It was the anniversary race of the first 5k I had ever run. I ran that first race in 31 minutes 40 seconds, and didn't walk even one step. Well, I've learned a lot since that first race and I've logged a lot of miles. I learned not to even bother with turning on the ipod until the sound of 500 people's tennis shoes fades somewhat, I've learned that it is ok to walk--especially if you have to stop to drink Also I've learned that you should have some one have water for you at the finish. This year's race featured a large group of people doing something called :girls on the run. I told Dr. mom that I'd like to do that sometime, but was worried I'd slow the girls down. She said that any girl that could run faster than me was probably not in girls on the run. I think the sheer volume of people participating in girls on the run skewed the numbers a bit, but I think dr. Mom was mostly right. I finished in an official time of 30 minutes 19 seconds (my watch said 30: 16 so that's not bad). I finished 20th in my age category--out of 60. I beat a bunch of ten year olds too--mostly girls on the run I think. I walked a few times in this race, and overall felt whipped at the end. I haven't run at all since then (although I want to go out today), because we've been on vacation.

Yes, if you really want to stress yourself out, I recommend a 5K run, followed by a walk around an art fair, and a birthday party all in 90 degree heat, and then leave for an eight day trip the next morning. Hit a tornado on your way there AND back. We went to St. Louis, where the temp never seemed to go below 80, ugh. But then back to Michigan, and we haven't hit 70 since we've been home. The ladies loved the zoo and the Magic house and generally we wore ourselves out.
Husband and I decided we are fantastic parents, based primarily on the actions of those around us--including a woman who was slapping her child to get him to stop crying and a dad at the hotel who would give one "command" to the kids in a normal voice like: come over here so mom can take your picture. If those poor kids didn't instantly do exactly as he wished (and sometimes he even had some unspoken wish--like the said picture he wanted them lined up and still) he'd start screaming. There was also much misbehavior to be seen, enough that the girls just stared at other kids during the hotel breakfast. My favorite was the child who threw no less than three massive fits in the 30 minute space we were there--including the last where he kicked his shoes in our direction.

On the way home we stopped for lunch in Lincoln, IL which is where the boy I dated the summer after I graduated went to college. Our relationship did not weather college--which was believe me a good thing. He was convinced we'd get married and last I heard he was seriously dating a woman with my name. Anyway, I got home and googled him and so he couldn't be the short bald, fat unhappy man in the restaurant, which although it is mean of me to say, is really too bad. I had a good idea for a short story over that one, I may write it even though I'm bad at that sort of thing. I sound vindictive don't I? Well, he said something a little mean to me the last time I saw him.

It has taken me 30 minutes to write that last--between the ladies (mommy how do you spell beetle) and googling the ex-boyfriend (who is a minister near peoria), so perhaps it is time to quit. After all I have 3 more loads of laundry--after doing 4 yesterday, jam to make, pictures to upload and a party to plan (my husband--the cute good one who was not a jerk! is turning 40 next week).

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