Sunday, February 17th was the Pasadena Rock ‘n’ Roll Mini Marathon (aka 5K).  This was definitely a race that I planned to run but my PT directed otherwise and I was pretty disappointed.

To add to my already lousy mood, I was missing my regular finish line cheering squad (Jay and Wild Boy).  I told them to stay home due to ridiculously early parking requirements (I’m going to blame the early start time for helping me to forget my sunglasses and hat as well).

The morning was cool but sunny.  Before the race, I got to see my very race-happy friends Joan and Michele from The Cycle Annex and the Pasadena Tri Club who were running the Half Marathon and I was lucky enough to get the chance to meet the very speedy and inspirational, Rock ‘n’ Blogger, PavementRunner at the start line (maybe he’ll post the picture he took of us).

I had some wonderful inspiration for this race, my new friend from my cycling class, Jericca – she was running her first 5K with her nephew.  Jericca just starting indoor cycling in September, running in November, has lost a significant amount of weight and was doing her first race with her young son and husband waiting for her at the finish.

Jericca was nervous but excited and even though I was reviving my own pity party, I was truly happy to see someone discovering how fitness can help someone discover passion, pride and power.

This was far from my finest hour (ok, 30 plus minutes).  I invoked thoughts of my fighting friends, Jon D., Danny V., and Helena E. while on that course and those thoughts helped push me forward.  I really wanted to run but if I pushed too hard, I knew I’d be out for June.

I spent a very good portion of my race trying not to cry.  Idiotic but true. I’d love to say it was from exercise endorphin release but I’d be lying.  I did get a laugh on the course when I saw a squirrel on the golf course – it reminded me of Caddyshack and I did laugh out loud.

I’ve been injured so many times and have had to pull out of so many races that although I was angry that I couldn’t run, I was proud that I was able to “roll with the changes” (thank you REO Speedwagon) and finish this race (there was a cute Marathonfoto picture of me and my flying ponytail that I was going to use but I was too cheap to buy it, sorry).

First race as 43!

2013 Race Bling!

I’m on the mend and will start to detail my recovery plan to make it to the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego #13in2013 in June.  BTW, my friend Jericca had a great race and her next goal is a 10K!

If you think you might want to join me in San Diego or try one of the California Rock ‘n’ Roll races this year, see PavementRunner’s discount coupon here.

I have no affiliation with Pavementrunner.com or Runrocknroll.com – just sharing some blogger and runner love.