Rosemead 5k - 2015

EVENT: Rosemead 5K
DATE: Saturday, July 4, 2015
LOCATION: Rosemead, CA
RACE BEGAN: 7:00 am 
FINISH TIME: 27:55

It had been well over a year since I really kind of run a race.  I did a couple of others last year, but they were surrounding my pregnancy, so there was a lot of run/walking going on.

So when I realized I was really going to be doing this 5k, I made sure to condition myself to be able to run without stopping.  In the past, that was not notable, but I literally sat on my behind for three months after months of not running.

I ran 5k distances whenever I could -- a couple of times during my maternity leave around my house, and finally, last month when I joined the gym, I tried to do it at least once a week on the treadmill.  Surprisingly, I was able to push myself on this fairly quickly, so by race day, I was confident I could do it.

That morning, I was kicking myself because I reallllly did not want to get out of bed early.  After all these months of not getting a full night's sleep, purposefully waking up early is super rough.  Luckily, I had prepared everything the night before, so I just had to pump and get dressed.

I wore these Lily Trotters compression socks as part of my outfit, which definitely heightened the mood.  They are a designed compression sock line that is feminine.  I could probably use some nicer shoes and a skort to match, but the little touch of fun to my running outfit definitely made the morning a bit easier.

I decided not to run with a watch.  I did have my phone with me (in a Ziploc baggie because it has been sooo long that I could not remember where I stored my running belt), but I decided to not turn on the GPS so that I would just focus on enjoying my pseudo-re-debut into racing.  I started near the back with a friend and just kind of fell into a pace.  I kept reminding myself not to push too hard, as it was muggy, had been recently ill, and I just wanted to enjoy.

The race shirt (and bad post-race hair):

I felt pretty good throughout, but near the end, I could definitely feel that I had reached the point to which I had trained.  I didn't know my time until I saw the printed results, but I saw 28-something on the main clock and felt pretty good about myself.  I got my medal and found my good (and slightly politically incorrect) friend who said, "Not bad for someone who gave birth six months ago."



I ran this race a bit harder two years ago (they didn't have it last year) about 3 minutes faster, so yes, there's a way for me to go, but I was just so happy to be there that there was no disappointment whatsoever.

I rushed home to my baby boy.  When I walked in, he smiled and when I walked off to watch my hands, he cried because he's reached a stage where he hates seeing me walk away.  We plopped down and played per his usual. 

I think local 5k's and 10k's are probably about all I can handle at this point, and that doesn't bother me one bit.  I'd like to run my 30th half-marathon at some point, as well, once I'm more well-rested and fitter.  For now, I'm glad to have done something from my "old life" and look forward to running with the baby in the stroller in a few months... and eventually watching him do the tot trot at some of these races, too.

------
FTC Disclaimer: I was provided a sample of Lily Trotters but was not otherwise compensated to provide a positive review.