Birdie

Birdie hasn't stopped since she started running this year, doing her first 5k in Rocklin, Ca. for Run Rocklin 2012 where the proceeds go to The Officer Redding Foundation.

Since that 5k, Birdie has ran a few more, all her races going towards what is close to her heart, the military.

Birdie runs a Facebook Page called Adopt a Pillowcase for a Soldier.
Through her page you can donate to have a pillowcase made for a soldier and it will be sent out in a care package.
Birdie has shared the emails she gets from these soldiers, the gratitude they have is heartwarming and it's understandable why she spends so much time putting her heart and soul into creating them with others that want to help out.

I took Birdie out for a hike before she started running and I asked her if she wanted to jog with me for a bit, she made it clear she doesn't run.
Well, she signed up for Run A 5k in 2012, signed up for a 5k and she hasn't stopped since.
Yeah, she doesn't run.

Birdie is an inspiration outside of our running world as much as she is in it.

Thanks for keeping up (and passing us!)

Otter Pop Run!

Amanda -RA5K2012 co-admin runs in a 5k!

On May 20 at 7am I was still very sleepy but on my way to The Otter Pop 5k run in Menlo Park. This was my 3rd race of the year, and the shortest distance of the year. The race didn't start until 8:30 but I had to get there early to set up and warm-up. You see, this wasn't just a normal fun run. But rather, work. My employer is one of the main sponsors of the event. I was there to work, and run. 
I did everything wrong getting ready for this event. I stayed out late night before, had a drink or two. So I didn't get any sleep. I ate heavier foods, I even had a fresh canoli. I didn't pre-hydrate the night before. I only ran twice in the two weeks leading up to the event. I barely stretched. I did everything wrong. But still, I had to do it.
Race Time.
The "serious" runners were moved to the front of the line. The little kids that wanted to run were asked to get behind these people so the wouldn't get run over.
Ready, set, Go! 
And we were off. I started out really strong( and way too fast). But I wanted to stay with the majority of the pack and not get run over. Slowly, I down shifted into a more comfortable pace. By almost the half way mark I was to a fast walk. I had started out too fast. But at the half way point and on to the second loop  I shifted to a mid-slow jog. And kept a reasonable pace throughout the rest of the run. Quite a few of the children did the second lap to complete the 5k. One younger boy( he must have been about 7or 8), just kept plodding away. You could tell he was tired, but he wanted to finish. And he crossed that finish line 5 seconds before me. Some how, I managed to finish. I was pretty tired, but I finished.
As soon as I crossed over the line I ran straight to our stand and started handing out Otter Pops. I will admit, I ate 4 in the process of passing them out. I had to test the quality of the product. *wink 
I received 3rd place for my age group (female 19-29). I also set a PR of 33:04 for 3.2 Miles. It was a good day and a great race. I didn't plan it right, or stick to what I had drilled into my brain. But, sometimes, that's ok. And next time will be even better. I'm already looking forward to next years race. And, of course, the Otter Pops
-Amanda L. S. 

Brooks Running Dig Deep Laces, originally uploaded by Random and Odd.

I am so excited to announce that the hard work I have put into Run a 5k in 2012 is finally paying off.
It’s May and I have almost already reached my goal.
Brooks Running donated DIG DEEP shoelaces and I put together a Giveaway for our group on Facebook and then began reaching out to other companies around the US.
We now have 4 other companies willing to help us out with products for future giveaways!

Please join Run A 5k in 2012 and help our group grow and motivate others!

I’d never run in my life. Why would I start now?

When I first joined the “Run a 5K in 2012” page earlier this year, I thought “What
in the world???”. I mean, I’d never run in my life. Why would I start now?
A co-worker of mine asked if I wanted to run the Color Run in San Francisco later
in the summer and I decided that might be fun. But that would mean I actually
had to be ready to run a 5K. A 5K??? Seriously? That seemed like an awful long
way. I highly doubted I’d ever be able to accomplish that.
So I started to run. Not too far at first. But each time it became easier. At that
point, I didn’t even know how many miles a 5K was. After one of my runs, I came
home and checked it out on an online conversion chart and was shocked to find
that I’d just run a 5K. Woohoo! I didn’t even realize that the loop I was running
through my neighborhood was 3.25 miles. Perfect!
“Run a 5K in 2012” continued to post encouraging messages, not only to me,
but to their other members as well. On days where I might not have felt quite like
running, I’d see a post that would encourage me to get up off my butt and run. Of
course, after my run I’d always feel so much better.
I ran my first 5K on April 15 and it felt AWESOME! I’m signed up for 3 more this
year and am planning to add a few more to my calendar.
Now I look forward to posting my results and seeing the feedback. It makes me
want to do better. I might not be anywhere close to running anything other than
a 5K, but I love knowing that I have an entire support team in “RA5Kin2012-land”
and always look forward to the responses.

I did it!
I woke up this morning with minor ankle pain.  We got up to Cool to start our run and I had taped up my ankle and was thinking about how my calf on the other leg might get blown again for trying to baby the ankle on the other foot.

The run started and my boyfriend and I were together for about a half mile before I got stuck on the single track behind some walkers. There was no getting around them, so I just hung back and listened to them complain on how hot, dusty and muddy this run was.  HELLO, it was TRAIL RUN!
I got a chance to get around them and tried to catch up with Lester, but he was over the hill already.

Further in on the trail I came across a group of people who were training for a half marathon and thought this would be a good ‘warm up’ for them.  I’ve never heard more complaining.  ”This terrain is so weird, I can’t run. It’s like it couldn’t make up it’s mind if it wants to be uphill or downhill. Was that a snake?”  At one point I had to giggle.  The one woman heard me and she giggled back, “I’m complaining a lot huh?”  I told her, “it’s usually me that is doing the complaining, but since this is all I do…I don’t know any better.”  Then for the next half mile I heard all about the joys of street running and how it’s usually flat with just minor ups and downs.  It was about then we opened up to the most beautiful meadow.  ”But do you get to see THIS?”   I wanted to spin around and spout out the joys of trail running, but if you couldn’t see it while you were running through it, there was no use in trying.
“Yeah. It is.” She agreed and then her and her friend were left behind as I listened to them try to figure out how to maneuver through a big mud patch.
Up ahead was my ‘pacer’. She was appointed the job when I noticed her slow stride.  ”HI!” I said as I caught up with her.  She had to be sixty something and she was past running and just power walking up a hill.  We got to talking and she told me she had fell down one of the hills that I have run many times.  She has busted something in her hip and was still recovering.   As we neared the creek, she plowed through it like a trooper and I let the icy water cool my feet as I helped some runners that were trying to make their way across the slippery rocks before they took on Knickerbocker climb.

During the middle of the climb I met another woman. I said, “Jezzus. I have to quit smoking!” and she, straight faced said, “I have to quit smoking crack!”  She asked me if I had done this before and I told her that yes, I had and it was almost over, I mean…after you get up this bitch, around the corner and up the last bit.  She groaned and tried to catch up with her friend.

Finally I was alone and could find my stride. The sun was about 5 miles from the earth and my arms felt like I had stuck them to the tail pipe of a motorcycle.  The aid station was up ahead and I drowned myself in two cups of water and started down a hill into another meadow.  At one point a giant butterfly came and tagged me in the head.  ”WELL HELLO MISTER BUTTERFLY!” I yelled out and thanked him for reminding me why I was so happy to running.

My watch told me that it had lost GPS satelites and I didn’t even care, I knew the end was near and that meant I could finally go pee.

Cresting the hill I could see Lester’s bright yellow shirt at the finish line and I was all smiles as I rounded the corner, high fived the volunteer and crossed over into his waiting arms where he gave me a huge hug and kiss!
Best Finish so far!
He was there for me during the Resolution Run, but when I crossed the finish line the only thing I could think of was finding a first aid station for my blown calf.
This time, I said, “I FELT GREAT! NO PAIN AT ALL!! That was SO MUCH FUN!”  I could still feel him breathing hard so I know he wasn’t too far ahead of me and I was was so proud of him I almost cried.
We found a fellow runner and got our picture taken at the finish line.  I am all smiles because it was the perfect run for me!

"Just a little further", and anything is possible." RA5K2012

"My friend...
She did a short film montage of the year that was coming to pass. In it, was a bit on how she ran her first 5k. Somehow, she had convinced me to run with her. This was my first race since High School. She had motivated me into running the race. I decided to motivate her to finish it.
"Just a little further" I kept saying.
We finished.
She inspires me. 
She started a page. Run. Who the heck wants to run? I was suprised to find out, that I do. And I want other people to join us. Run. Keep moving. Keep motivated. Keep positive. 
I finished my first half marathon, just a year after that race. I set a goal, she kept me positive and focused. I made another friend join me. 
"Just a little further" I kept saying.
We finished that race. 
My friend says I am an inspiration. But it is She that inspires me. We keep each other motivated. We pick each other back up when we are down. We give each other a hard time for slacking off. Praise, for when we do good. We are inspiration, for we have been inspired. 
"Just a little further", and anything is possible."

Where do I start! RA5Kin2012

"How has RA5Kin2012 motivated me?  Where do I start! I can tell you it started before it was created. I stumbled across a blog one day and was instantly captivated by this person.  I laughed, I cried, I got really ticked off but mostly I cheered for her.  Never did I let her know I was there stalking her blog.  Hee hee.  Well in 2011 my life went downhill and fast.  I wanted to hide from everything and everyone.  But while I was retreating into myself, this amazing woman was grabbing life by the horns and experiencing everything she possibly could.  I wanted that.  I would be 40 soon and wanted a change.  I finally made myself known and hit her up on facebook and then RA5kin2012 was created.  I though why the hell not and signed up for a 10k and started to train.  I read about everyone else finishing their races and finally the time came for me to run.  I ran that 10k and came 4 minutes under my goal time.  I had never run before in my life prior to January and I am still running to this day.  I post my training runs and RA5k always has an encouraging word.  Next week I am going to sign up for my 1^st Half-Marathon.
All of this because someone had the courage to start her journey and share all her ups and downs with the rest of us!  Thanks RA5k!"

For me, running clears my mind!

"I started running before finding Run a 5k in 2012, but the motivation to run, and the motivation to run with RA5kin2012 is one and the same.

For me, running clears my mind, keeps me sane and grounded, and sometimes is even a way to let me get all my emotions out at once.  I like to think about why I'm running. If it's a run with Team in Training, I think about my nephew and that usually motivates me to push through. I started with TNT in 2010 because of my nephew.  Our family and friends had done small events with American Cancer Society and LLS for years prior (Relay for Life and Light the Night Walk).  You see, my nephew CJ was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just 2 years old. After a long and painful journey filled with the lows of constant hospitalization and the highs of going into remission after a bone marrow transplant, he relapsed and lost his battle to the disease at the age of 3.5.  Every run is for him.  I found RA5kin2012 when I was at my lowest emotionally.  He passed away in 2002 and 2012 marks his 10 year anniversary.  I knew it was going to be a really rough year for me. After seeing the RA5kin2012 website and all of the amazing people getting off the couch to be active, I knew I'd get through it.  My strength gets even stronger after reading everyone elses story for 2012.

Thank you for creating this group.  You really have no idea the impact you can make with a gesture that seems so simple at the time."

BROOKS Dig Deep Shoelace Giveaway!

Thanks to @BrooksRunning I am able to provide our very first "Give Away"
I'm super excited about this and because it's our first give away on RA5K2012 I'm going to make it easy.

I asked our FACEBOOK GROUP to send me an email with a story on how Run A 5k in 2012 has had an impact in their day, their run and how has it motivated you.  It's an easy one for the first time because I am new at all of this and learning as I go.
My goal is to have other companies reach out and say, "Hey, I have a hat or shirt or swag bag from our company, let's do a give away!"  and ultimately it will provide the people who are inspired by RA5K2012 to keep coming by and HOPEFULLY (my biggest goal of all) is to have them inspire others to get out there and move and sign up.

In the next few days I will be uploading the first set of emailed stories for you all to read.

I strongly encourage you to visit the companies that do send us stuff for giveaways and let them know that RA5K2012 sent you!

Again, HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to @brooksrunning for the DIG DEEP shoelaces for our very first giveaway!

Please feel free to email me at RunAFivek@gmail.com for any questions.

If you're interesting in sponsoring a giveaway on our blog or knows someone that does, contact me at RunAFivek@gmail.com and let me know.

Stay tuned for the stories to come on how we were motivated!!

Kimberly's Half Marathon!

Yes, I am well aware that we are a 5k running 'group', but we have evolved into so much more in the past few months and I think we should encourage ALL types of running.

Kimberly wrote a recap on HER BLOG about the day and the run.  I loved it and was glad that I did read it because there are a lot of Zooma races out there and I had thought of running in one. Not so much anymore...and found out it's okay to run during races.  So far, I only whine.

Congrats Kim!!

Hey Tough Chicks!

Go check this out to win a hat that will let everyone know exactly what you are:

CLICK HERE and be directed to Slow is the New Fast. (great website, down to earth writer and very inspiring!)

I would love to be able to provide cool give-aways for all you AMAZING people that are running in a 5k this year. Brooks has provided some stuff and when I can get the swag bag filled up I will open one up!

Anyone interested sponsoring a giveaway for Run A 5k in 2012, please feel free to email me @ randomandodd@gmail.com

:)

Birdie's First 5k !!

Written by Birdie:

Final Time: 32:52

I ran with Team Gracepoint from the Gracepoint Adventist Church.

I lined up by myself and did not run with a group, as I wanted to set my own pace.

Since this was my first 5K, of course I was excited as the start got closer. But once I lined up, I tried only to focus on pacing myself and not getting swept up in the mad dash at the starting line.

My favorite part of the run was just being part of the whole running experience. Since I usually always run by myself, this was such a different feeling. I think it really made me want to do better.

The worst part of the race was when we came up Sunset and the street was still jam-packed with runners. Nowhere to go left or right and two young girls decided to stop in front of me and discuss their hairdos for the day. Seriously??? I had to yell at them to get out of the way.

I'm currently signed up for The Color Run and the Merrel Down and Dirty Mud Run. I will most likely sign up for the 9-1-1 Rememberance 5K as well. I'm not likely to run anything more than a 5K for quite some time, but would love to get in at least 4 or 5 this year.

My running goal for a 5K would be to do it in around 30 minutes. That would be a major accomplishment for me. But I don't have much hope for being able to achieve that anytime soon, since I don't run well in warmer weather. Now that it's starting to heat up, I will most likely get slower, before I get faster.

Some people train for months on end before running their first 5K. I literally started running only about 2 1/2 months ago. I'd never run before in my life, let alone thought that I'd even run a 5K. It seemed like something that I'd never be able to do. Now, I look forward to the next one.

Kimberly running in the inaugural Dacula Dash

On Saturday March 24, 2012, Kimberly Smith did the Dacula Dash. She wrote about it on our Facebook wall, “I did everything wrong, lol. I didn't get to bed last night until after midnight, didn't get to sleep until after 2am! The alarm went off at 6:30 and I DID! NOT! want to get up. But I did. I drug myself downstairs and had my banana and 8oz of Spark energy and was out the door by 7:30.
I didn't have a particular goal in mind other than to do my best. I was secretly hoping for 40min, but was ok with just getting out there. I decided not to beat myself up over time and just have fun. I talked to kids who were running. I gave them high fives and told them they rocked. I got to the halfway point at under 20mins and felt great. Rounded the corner and headed back. When I got to just over 2miles, I got a wicked side stich. I tried to run through it, but it wasn't happening. I took a min to stop, breathe, and stretch my arms over my head, then started back running. I was doing good, and got to the intersection right in front of the finish line, and the cop stopped ME to let cars go by...Grrrrr!! Then he tried to "cheer" me on by saying "Come on, you're almost there" Yeah, I would have been there if you'd let me go...doofus. Got across the intersection and had a group of people sprint past me then stop and walk. Pet peeve of mine, BTW. So as we are heading to the finish, I was weaving past them.
All in all, not a bad run. It was the reset I needed.”

Kimberly came in at 41:40.

Congrats Kimberly and thank you for adding another state to the Run a 5k in 2012 goal.

Elaine clocks in at 34:36 for her first 5k !!!

On March 17th, Elaine headed out to Robious Elementary School in Virginia to start her very first 5k. The proceeds from this second annual 5k went to the Robious Elementary PTA.
She was sporting her pink St. Patrick's Day shirt and her bib.

When asked what was her favorite part of the race she said, "Running with others and having all the people on the sidelines cheering us on."
Sometimes as runners we forget how important the people that come out to watch us and cheer are such an important part of the race, but not Elaine. She brought her husband and then her kids joined in the last 1/4 mile of the run with her.

She said she wasn't nervous about the race, but coming in dead last. It kept her putting one foot in front of the other and she proved to herself that she could do it!

Her future plans include a 10k that she has signed up for in two weeks! Talk about keeping it going!!!

When asked about her future in running she said, "My goal is to continue on this journey I have started of making this a wonderful, active year full of new adventures and meeting new people!"

Congrats Elaine on your FIRST 5k of 2012 and good luck on your 10k! Please keep us posted on your journey!!

President's Day run!

Written by Amanda Simmons


On Feb 20. 2012 I laced up my Saucony running shoes, pulled on my dry fit Nike pro combat long sleeve and my Dryfit tee from the Rocklin run I did last year. I looked really cute. I knew I had to make sure that I looked good because my friend would surely ask me to take pictures. Then I dashed out the door and made my way to pick up my brother, whom I had some how talked into running/ walking a 10k with me. I didn't want to go alone. Not because I was nervous. I prefer to walk/run alone. But because I wanted to share this experience with him. I remember the gratifying feeling of finishing my first race last year (my first since High School).

The race was in Burlingame, California. My home town. We drove over to Coyote Point where the race was being held. There we were greeted by a big old guy in a Hawaiian shirt "Ya'll signed up?".

We got our bib numbers and tee shirts.
10 am.

Race time.

I turned to my brother and said "Are you ready?".

"Ready as I'll ever be" he replied. And with that, we were off. The course started with a hill to the top of the point. From up here you could see San Francisco, the airport, the Bay Bridge, and all the way down the San Francisco Bay to the Dumbarton Bridge.

Down the hill we jogged through the Coyote Point marina. It was a perfect day. Slightly cloudy, to keep you cool. But sunny enough to keep you motivated. Along the bay trail we walked and jogged. At the 5k mark we decided to push through and do the full 10k. But we needed to walk the rest of this. This was my brothers first race and I wanted him to have fun and finish. People kept passing us and my brother started to look discouraged. I turned to him and started jumping around like a little kid who had just been given way too much sugar and said "Who cares? We'll get there when we get there. All that matters is that we got there. You're doing great! Just keep your chin up, look at where you want to go. WooHoo.It's just one foot in front of the other. Don't look at me in that tone of voice... I can do this all day! Let's go! YaHoo!"
We kept going. Just one foot in front of the other.
Once we got back to the hill we knew we were almost done. I looked to my brother "Ok, this is it. Almost there. Remember to finish strong!". We were jogging down the last half of the hill when he turned to me, gave me a nod. "Go ahead" I said. He took off running. Much faster than I had anticipated. The boy wanted to race! I took off. As we both raced over the finish line "You may be younger and now taller than me, but I can still kick your butt!" I skreetched. Smiling and out of breath, we laughed.
Over comes the big guy in the Hawaiian shirt with a bunch of medals. He draped one over myself and the one over my brother. Then gave us each a big bear hug.
6.2 miles in 1:36:28 with an average speed of 3.9miles per hour. But times don't matter. I am so proud of my brother. We started. We finished. We did it. That's all that matters.

"Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way". -Les Brown

Marcy is going for a record!

Tansley & Marci completed the FREEZE YOUR FANNY 5K run/walk in Bay City, MI on 1/21/2012. Marci's time = 51:16.29 (tough walk - lot's of ice).

Team Rogers also completed the Snowman’s Half/10k/5k run in Mt Pleasant, MI on 1/28/2012. Marci's time and personal best so far = 47:58.27.

T. & M. were scheduled to race in the REESE WINTER ROAD RACE on Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Reese, Michigan and Marcy got her new PR at 46:54

She will also race in the SWEETHEART RACE 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk & Team Competition Saturday, February 11, 2012 in Flushing, Michigan AND we will race in The IceCube Half Marathon / 10k / 5k in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on Saturday, February 25, 2012

Marcy has been going crazy with the 5k’s and I couldn’t be more proud!

Marci takes on the SNOW!

Marci and her daughter T, took on a 5 in the snow! What is your excuse for not running one of these yet?

Marci said, " My official time for the Frozen Blueberry was 49:11:06!!!! I took almost 4 minutes off my time IN THE SNOW and broke the 50 minute barrier! Yeehaw!!"

We as a group on Facebook waited to hear how she did and were so proud that she beat her 50 minute goal she had set for herself.

I asked Marci what her favorite part of the race was and what her plans are for future 5k races and she shared, “My favorite part of this race was seeing my daughter ahead of me and being able to keep my eye on her for most of the race. I also enjoyed watching her stop along the way to make snowballs - KIDS!!”

When I asked her what she did this time that was different than last time to get a better time she stated, “ This time - I didn't stop for NOTHING! Earbuds falling out - hat too hot - scarf too tight - vest to fluffy ;-) - I just kept going and did not lolly-gag. “

Marci is an inspiration for all of us that are still sitting on the couch, watching the news and saying to ourselves that we will get out there when it gets warmer, Marci said her next race is going to be the Freeze your Fanny 5k in Bay City. Her goal is is less than 49:11, but I know with some of the group pushing and virtually cheering for her and helping her set goals, she’s going to get it in 45 minutes!

Also, her daughter got FIRST PLACE in her age group. Way to go T!!!!!

Shawna and Katie's 5k

Shawna and Katie ran their 5k today!

Congrats girls!

Shawna said: " Had fun doing my run this morning with Joe and Katie. Katie did awesome on her first run! It was frigid out there to start but we warmed up once we started running.....It felt great.....felt like I could've done another 3! Can't wait to sign up for another!"

Marci's first 5k

Marci joined our Facebook Run A 5k in 2012 and got a good start on the year.
Here is her story of her first 5k:

" So, I brought along a friend with me this time (Emily Anderson). I was extremely tired. I am sick but I went anyway! There were not very many walkers at this race and we were in DEAD LAST!!! BUT still lapping the people on the couch as theysay. My daughter Tansley ran ahead. Quickly we lost sight of the people in front of us and got lost. Some lady running yelled "you missed your turn" - we turned around to "backtrack" - still no familiar faces - now I am worried about my daughter - walking as fast as I can - we get within sight of the finish - I see my daughter coming around the corner in her wee little boots - A precious high school girl running beside her - Thank God! Then a different lady running yelled "Are you walking or running?" - Walking - "You didn't finish the course - you better not go in the shoot!!!" - Emily & I walked approximately 4k in 40 minutes - we did not go in "the shoot" - Tansley (my little girl) went in the 'shoot' and crossed the finish line at around 42 minutes in her wee little snow boots - She also got a ribbon this time - Fun! All in all it was not pretty but it was an adventure and will be a Story for the Ages. Along the way, Emily and I decided to host a Full Glitz 5K someday with crowns and sashes for the winners. Please, don't anyone steal this idea - cause you heard it here first. Unfortunately, we did not take a picture. I thought I took a picture of Tansley running but really the video was going without my knowledge and once she was out of ear shot I said the "F" word a few times about getting lost and having someone be snippy about it ;-) I will try to post a edited version of the video if possible. Onward and upward to the next 5K NEXT week. Thanks for inspiring me, Marci "

GOOD LUCK!

Shawna and Katie are running a 5k this Sunday.

Shawna has been a driving force for me in the last year. She puts up her Miles in a Month and I did my best to reach the 30 miles in 30 days goal. I think I made it every month, minus one.

Katie just finished her Couch to 5k recently and Shawna is running with her! I can't wait to hear how it went!!

I spoke to Lester about his first 5k last weekend and he said he enjoyed his and together we are looking into others to do together.
He did great with one day of training, I can't imagine how well Katie will do with the whole program behind her!!

Jeremiah and Lester 1st 5k.

Another race completed today! This was the resolution run in Auburn, Ca.

Both Tabitha and I had signed up for this race in hopes of someone joining us. I wasn't sure who my Plus 1 would be for the race, but I would sweet talk someone into it. She signed up her 5 year old son for his first 5k and he did GREAT!


A couple of weeks before the race, My boyfriend, Lester mentioned that he would do it with me. I was shocked. He has watched me hike nearly every single weekend in 2011 and he even came to one of my races to take pictures.

The reason he signed up for this race is because it was a trail run. I had no idea that this run would be so brutal though. These trails are the ones I run nearly ever weekend, but this was a trail I had not seen before. I'm still trying to figure out how we went down 1 mile but came back up 2!

On Saturday before the race we had gone on a 5 mile hike and I was trying to get some time in on my Vibram's 5 finger shoes. I woke up this morning and I knew I was in horrible trouble because both of my calves were unbelievably sore. A quick stop at Sport's Authority to get another compression sleeve should do the trick.
Now, I am convinced that if this was a normal 5k I would have done okay and not injured myself, but the first mile was straight down hill and the next two alternated between severe uphill, mild uphill or minimal level.

By the time I got to the uphill I could tell there was something horribly wrong and I told Lester to run ahead because he said uphill was easier for him. I struggled up the first few hills and then this doozy of a hill came up and I sprinted up it. The hope of a flat area was my reward. As soon as I hit the flat area it felt like I had just got beamed with an orange on the back of my leg. An orange that had just come out the microwave. "OH SWEET JESUS!"
I had to power walk the majority of the way back up the canyon.

As I came up out into the parking lot, I saw Lester coming for me, He had already finished, "Give me your camelbak. You wanna run in?"
"I made wrong choices, I made wrong choices...ohhhh get me to the aid station!" He ran with me to the finish line and when I came out of the chute he gave me the biggest hug.

Now I am laid up on a heating pad.

Happy 2012 everyone!! It's going to be a great one!!

Marci was our first official-unofficial runner in a 5k.

She ran with her family in a 5k on New Years eve, and even though that doesn't count for 2012, we were all inspired by her and very proud of her.

Her time was 53:05 in the Resolution Run Sat. 12.31.11 in Midland, MI

Marci said, " I was hoping for around 50 minutes (I had to fiddle with my music and earphones in the beginning) - but I was so proud of myself and I felt much better than I ever anticipated - this was my 2nd 5k - I plan to do many more - my hubby ran with my daughter (they finished in 41 minutes - she is 6 years old - this is her 2nd 5k as well - so proud!!!) - my favorite part was when the lead female runner raised her hand to me in triumph (the fist pump;-)) as I passed her walking - that was inspiring and powerful - tears of joy - Happy, Healthy New Year!!!! "