I DID IT! I just ran my 1st 5k and I was able to run it the whole way! Crossed the finish line in 40:29! 2-1/2 minutes faster than my goal! I am so stoked!
It was all very amusing. We were supposed to pick up our packets between 7 and 8- with an 8 o'clock start time. When I left the house, it was just starting to sprinkle.
When I got there, I parked about 4 blocks away from the start and walked down to pick up my packet. It's starting to rain harder. I get my packet and head back towards the car because I'm on my own and need to put the race t-shirt and stuff in the car and all of a sudden the sky opens up. Still two blocks to the car and no doorways to stop in - nowhere to get out of the rain. By the time I get back to my car, I am soaked. My race clothes are soaked. My shoes are soaked. Still have half an hour until the race even starts. I pull off my shoes and socks and turn the heater on, trying to dry my socks a little. I had to wring them dry. It is still pouring outside. Eight o'clock finally rolls around and I go back down to the start line. They are afraid of lightning, so the race is delayed until 8:30. It continues to rain steadily. We are finally off and I just kept a steady place. Two women who were running part and walking part keep passing me each time they speed up, but I just keep going and there were uphills and downhills and I just kept going. It felt good. Once I reached the turn around point, I knew there were only a couple more hills and I would be sailing home. I booked it for the last half mile.
I came in 66th overall. There were only 3 runners behind me, but I did FANTASTIC! I never would have ever dreamed that I could do this at all!
After the race I went to La Crosse and treated myself to lunch at Panera and a big bouquet from the farmer's market. Pretty!