5K 2015

I ran a 5K for the first time in 2012 and it was so liberating and enjoyable that I vowed to run at least one 5K every year for the rest of my life (or until I don't like doing it anymore). This year I actually got to run the same 5K that I ran in 2012. Also, my sister Rebecca signed up for the insane half marathon.

This is her at mile ten, totally crushing it.

 I had a lot of fun because I got to run with my mom and we went at a fairly moderate pace. I've run just before getting pregnant and I've certainly run after being pregnant, but I've never run a 5K during pregnancy.

Finish line!

At 31 weeks, the oddest things happen to your body. Apparently without my knowing it, my center of balance shifted, my hips widened, and I had more trouble running than I should have had. I also, for the first time in my life, had muscle cramps in my thighs. Becca helped show me some leg stretches to do after the run but I couldn't understand why I needed them considering I've never needed to stretch or had muscle cramps after such a short run. Whatever I did while running, I was off from my regular stride because after we all stretched I tried to stand up. And I couldn't move my legs. While the brave Becca wearily rose from her stretching after her daunting and impressive 13 miles, I cried out and slowly rolled onto my hands and knees. I needed Josh's arm to walk to the car, and I have been hobbling and whimpering ever since.

I also got a lot of comments from people passing me at the finish line and at the restaurant we ate at afterwards. People, I got the okay from my obstetrician before doing this. He said it was totally fine for me to run a 5K. He's had pregnant women run marathons. He clearly hates me very much. Also, I clearly hate myself very much because this was way harder than any of the other races I've run. I think I'll wait to give birth before doing another one of these bad boys.

So the moral of the story? If you're going to be a baby about running, don't run the same race with a mighty half marathoner. You're going to come out looking like a huge wuss. :)