Where do I start...

Today A-Dog and I ran a 5k. Let's start there with the basic story. (I could say "then end", but how boring would that be?)

Never mind the fact that it was 38 degrees when we left the house.

Because it did warm up. To something else...but I left my weather station at home.

Let me tell you the whole story without leaving out the best parts. You know how I love to drag a story out and get side tracked as often as possible.  I just never want you to leave here feeling like you just haven't gotten the whole story..and then some. You're welcome.

I finally committed to the 5k about 9 days ago. I have had it on the calendar, but until you register and spend the money - you are NOT committed. At all. Unless of course  you've told people that you are running - then you either run the race or deal with the questions as to WHY you didn't.

So I did. Commit and run.

A-Dog conveniently decided he was going to do it the day after the rates went up by $2. Don't worry, I didn't charge him for it :). I easily could have tho.

Today I opted to not have my Smart-phone with me as I ran. I have a really great running program on my phone that tracks my pace and distance (along with many other items, but you really don't need to know about my calories burned right?). 

I often obsess with my pace when I'm running and knowing how much farther I have can have devastating effects on my stamina. I'm sure you can understand when you think you are near the end and you then realize you still have 3k to go :). I don't know why I told you all that, but I did. It's an illness I'm afraid.

Ok, back to today.  Today A-Dog and I ran a 5K. Did I say that already? I know, I need to focus, or go to bed. Either way...

Obviously pre-run, I'm smiling :)

It was a really good run - I had to take 3 breaks. A break consisted of us walking for about 7 seconds.

Very refreshing.

As a side note, our 5k had mile markers at 1 mile and 2 miles. Explain that one.

I could see the last turn and knew we were in the home stretch. I was conflicted as to which way to turn - right to the end, left to McDonald's. I eventually went right. I told A-Dog - "go ahead son, be amazing and finish strong".

He totally left me. Not even a second thought.

That's ok, I'm pretty sure there was about 15 other times he debated it and only stayed with me for fear of a wrong turn I might make and head out for breakfast without him. Once we turned that corner, he knew I had no where else to go.

I have to say, I was so proud of that boy - he really dug in and picked up the pace for the last 1/2k. I was doing really good. I could see the end and I was still going.

A-Dog at the finish!

Then something devastating happened.

Really bad.

I got passed.

By an elderly gentleman.

There was nothing I could do about it. No way I had anything else in me to pass him or ahem, race him to the end.

So I let him beat me. What else could I do?

I looked up the unofficial results online, here they are:

A-Dog: Finished #100 of 198, in his age group (ages 10-19) he finished 15th. 30 minutes 12 seconds.

Me: Finished #111 of 198, in my age group (30-39) I finished 11th (seriously RIGHT? 11th??? ALMOST in the top 10!) 31 minutes 10 seconds. My best time yet.

The sweet old guy who passed and finished ahead of me? #110? Finished 5th in his age group (70-99). It does post our actual ages (mortifying I know) he was 70. I'm pretty sure I'm totally proud of that guy.

Next time, I'm going to keep a better eye on who is behind me....