Life Goal - Run a 5k, Check!

So, this morning I got up bright and early to make my way downtown Grand Rapids to participate in the River Bank Run's 5k Race.  It has always been a goal of mine to run this race.  Because let me know you, I am not a natural born runner.  Working up to a whopping 3 miles has taken me quite some time. 

And as my alarm went off at 6am, I questioned my own reasons, which was only compiled with the rain and 40 degree weather.  But I managed to get myself out of bed, dressed and stretched before 6:45am and headed to the race with my brother and Eric.

Once we arrived downtown, there was no turning back.  I had the adrenalin of a schoolgirl on her first day.

Paul, my brother and I started lining up about 7:10 and the starting horn was blown at 7:30am.  And then we were off!  We stuck together for a while, but Paul is a better runner so I told him to go ahead.

At some points it seemed like a breeze and at others I thought I was going to throw up.  But, I didn't die and crossed the finish line in 27:09, in the top 20%.  My ultimate goal was to do it in under 28:00, which I reached!  I ended up being the 286th female to finish out of 3,074.  So I view this as more of an accomplishment than anything else.  Either way, I did it :)

Our prize for completing was this lovely pin, which I am going to wear...never.  Sorry River Bank Run, no offense against you but thousands of people completed the 25k, so I don't think I did anything worth wearing a pin for.  But I did take a picture for you all to see.

Tomorrow, I am hoping to post a whole bunch of pictures from the fundraiser.  So just be warned of the photo heavy post coming soon!