October-ness

So as I had mentioned previously, I decided to run the Rock 'n' Roll Prospect Park 10K as my race for October. Between making sure my new roommate moved in succesfully, setting up new bills and my best friend Mandy coming to visit, I felt like I didn't have a ton of time to run before the race.

She's here!

Mandy came to visit for 5 days between work and my new roommate moving in. It was a crazy week leading up to her visit but I was so excited to see her here in NYC. We filled her visit here with eating, a beer garden visit, Oktoberfest at Bear Mountatin (Circle Line cruise included!), kickball, cheering on the 49ers and her birthday celebration. Hope you had a blast Mandy!

Oktoberfest with Mandy, Kevin and Janssen

After Mandy left it felt like the week flew by and before I knew it, it was race day! With a early wake up call to make the hour trek to Prospect Park, the nerves didn't set in until my bag was checked and Michelle, Janssen and I headed to our corrals. As I told them, "I'll meet you at the end, I want to finish standing strong and to run continously.. and if I make it under an hour and a half I'll be happy too." 

Pre-race... when the nerves set in.

And we were off! Having never run Prospect Park before, Janssen told me there would be some slight hills that would be tough without having run them before. I felt good and knew that possibly I would see Michelle's husband Josh sometime after the 5K mark. Nearing the 5K mark I didn't see Josh but realized he'd probably gone ahead to cheer her on. As the first exhaustion wave set in I keep reminding myself that I have gotten farther than many people who've not gotten up off the couch and run. With that and the determination to run straight through I forged ahead. As I neared the 6 mile marker I started see people who had finished the race walk by with their medals and smiles on their faces... with that I knew I had to finish strong. AND I DID :) 1 hour and 27mins later, I completed my first (and probably last) 10K!

I had to get a photo with the back drop and my medal.