No sleeping in for this Pajama 5K

So its getting a little tough finding races and I actually signed up for this one just a few days before the race,  This one was actually a very fun race and had lots of memorable moments.

So I found the Mito 5K Pajama Run, it is a race that benefits the Research for Mitochrondial disease.  So being that this was a pajama run first thing to do find me some PJ’s that were suitable to run in.   Just so you now I sleep in yoga pants and t-shirts that are now to big to wear during the day.  I had to get cretive but think I came up with that worked pretty well.

The race was held at Liberty Station and this is a course I am kind getting used to running.  This is one popular places to do a run.  I did not have to get up super early to get to run, but even with that said I was there way to early, must learn better timing.  Once there I found that there was a silent auction and there were some really cool gifts.  So I spent the first part of my time there dropping raffle tickets.  That still left me time to try and see the runners and actors from the movie McFarland that were there for autograph signing.  It was still cool that they were there and if you have not had a chance to watch this movie, it is a must see.

Then the race got underway and being that it was still a bit cool in the morning it made the start of the race pretty nice.  As I always do I was hoping to run this race under 40 mins.  So I take off and I feel pretty good running it, so good I get a good amount of running in before I stop for just a moment and then I am off and running again.  As I start coming down to the last stretch I get running again and at a pretty good pace.  As I am running a bunch of high school boys that appear they are from their track team are slowing down and I start to pass them.  Having a little fun I tease them as I pass them and say, “are you really going to let an old lady pass you”.  Of course the minute I say it I regret it as two of them take off and pass me.  Well old lady or not challenge accepted and I take off running faster than I ever have.

I get to the finish line I realize that I am going to make it under the 40 mins.  As I cross the finish line I am first off exhausted and barely make it to an area to sit down and then it dawns on me, I DID IT!!!  The guys that I teased came over and I had to say thanks because had I not chased them I would not have beat my time.  They were really sweet and asked me about my running, with that door open I shared my story and one of the young guys gave me a hug and the other gave me a high five, both touched me.  Next thing I know an older gentleman who I assumed was their coach came over and congratulated me saying their guys had shared my story with him, he finished with he did not know me but he was proud of me.

I never ever thought I would enjoy running. Although that feeling happens after the race – during the race I always say to myself … What am I doing?! ?

Now to find my next race!