5 by the 5th in February

I am taking part in a series of runs called 5 by the 5th hosted by Laura at Mommy Run Fast. You can run either 5 km or 5 miles and it should be done and reported by the 5th of each month from February through May.

You may remember I was so excited and enthusiastic at the beginning of January to get this run series started, that I went out and did my 5km run in spite of neglecting to make note of the fact that it didn’t get rolling until February.  Oops.  Apparently I am a keener.

But once February arrived…  not so much.  I mean, I wanted to run that 5 km but the days until the 5th were passing me by…  On February 1st it was pouring rain. Who wants to run in monsoons?  Not me.  On the 2nd I spent the better part of the day at the hospital having a scope stuck down my throat and then recovering from the sleepy drugs after I got home.  On the 3rd I spent the morning working and the afternoon shopping. I  know, I KNOW!  And it was a lovely day, too ,so I did get out for a walk.. but let that opportunity for the km 5run slip right past me.

Tomorrow, February 5th, is our wedding anniversary… not likely we are gonna get out for a run… and there are forecasts that the first of  four impending Pacific storms is due to hit us later tonight!  Pineapple Express times 4!  Yes, it will be warm, but also very WET.  So this morning I knew it was NOW OR NEVER  to get this 5 by the 5th 5km run done. 

"Stop whining and just go do it", I kept telling myself… and yes, I really was being a wimp.  I didn’t feel like running.  It was gloomy outside and a bit breezy and sorta coolish and, and, and… so I had a little chat with myself about my attitude, and then put on my brightest pink and blue Tommie Copper running duds to cheer me up… grabbed The Captain to take some pictures of me clowning around,  and off we went.

I was happy to finally get moving and I know I started out a bit too fast. Read that TOO FAST FOR ME! That sorta really took the wind out of me and when my little nose started snuffling and sniffling at about 3.5 km, I had to start breathing through my mouth.  Almost panting. And does that ever suck the moisture out of you. I was so thirsty and winded that I had to walk a bit during that last 1 km.  Annoyed but determined to see it through, I crossed my finish line at 34:30 which is not a bad 5km for me at all. 

Done. YAY!  After drinking a lot of water I made us a couple of smoothies and we stretched.  A lot.  So glad that one’s in the bag.

Did you run today?

Are you taking part in Laura’s 5 by the 5th series?