My Very First Race

I just had to share with all of you a very big accomplishment in my life…

I ran in my very first race!

Now this may not seem like a big deal, but for me…it was a VERY big deal!

Why?

Because I hate to run.

(Well, I used to hate to run.)

Growing up, I was in all kinds of sports.

Cheerleading, gymnastics, softball, swimming, dance, baton, track and field…

Track and field was my least favorite.  I was in middle school, 4 ft. 9 inches tall, and I ran the hurdles and threw the shot put.

It was a joke.  And I hated to run.  Did I mention that already?

Running was always painful and boring.

I don’t like painful and boring.

So in my 39 years of life, my words have been, “I’m not a runner.  Never have been, never will be.  I hate running.”

And then back in January, my husband started running.  In our thirteen years of marriage, he’s always been my basketball guy.  He played basketball in college.  He also ran track and field in high school.  He was VERY fast.  But he wasn’t a long distance runner.

But he has a great friend, Chip, who challenged him to run in a half marathon, and he accepted it.  (Men always love a challenge don’t they?)

He began training and ran in his first half marathon in March,  then another one a month later.  He is a running fool now!  :)

We have a great place to run where we live, so my hubby runs almost everyday.  Of course, I was not interested in joining him…I am NOT a runner.

Then one night, something very strange happened in me… I decided to try and run.  So I did.  And it was painful and boring.

But it did feel good that I at least tried.

So a few days later, I ran again…and I felt really proud of myself for trying.

So I ran again, and again, and again…

And somewhere in between all of those runs…the feeling of accomplishment was greater than the pain and boredom.

I actually began to like to run!

Now our boys have asked to run with us.  And they love it.

It’s a family thing.  Ya’ll know I love everything FAMILY!

So we signed up for our first 5k run during our vacation in Hilton Head.

Here are me and my hubby before the race…

At this point, I was starting to worry about what I was getting myself into.  :)

The boys, however, were ready to go!

(Luke’s belly was hurting him before the race, and unfortunately got sick right before it started.  I think he drank to much pool water the day before.  :)  So he didn’t get to run with us and was so disappointed.  But I was SO proud of him for even trying!)

My husband’s family were there with us.  His sister, her hubby and son, and his nephew also ran in the race.  So Cy’s parents, Pop and Grammaw, were there to support us.

Being the fourth of July, they came ready to have some fun!

Here is the rest of the fam getting ready for the race!

There were around 1500 participants, and it was a  little crazy when the race first started.

But like Forrest Gump, I ran and ran and ran.

(Okay, maybe not quite as fast as Forrest…)

But I didn’t give up or throw up!

I finished in 29 minutes.  My goal was to finish under 30 minutes, so I met my goal!

Here is the whole crew after the race..

Me and my boys…

My oldest, Jonathan, actually beat his mama!  He ran the race in 27 (something) minutes.  But I’m okay with that.  :)

The hubster finished in 23 (something) minutes.  He was  flying!   I am so proud of him for running and for inspiring the rest of our family to run.  Thanks, Honey!

And here I am with Luke…

And Adam…

Can you believe my little 6 year old finished a 5K!  And he loved it!

My very littlest guy found a perfect spot for the race on his Pop’s shoulder…

It was such a great day!

I am so glad I did it.

I said I would never do it again!

But maybe….

(wink)

Thanks for letting me share this milestone in my life with you!  :)

Have a blessed day, friends!

Traci

0 Comments

  1. Way to go Traci!
    I ran my first 5K about three years ago in honor of two friends I lost to cancer. Training for it was painful at first, but I enjoyed it by the time the race came around.

    Thanks for sharing your milestone with us.

  2. Congratulations Traci Sweetie…
    How exciting that is. I am sure that you ran like the wind.
    I am really tickled to hear that you even got the boys
    running too. For young kids today that is quite the
    accomplishment. Kids just do not want to exercise. They
    only want to watch TV and play video games.

    You look fabulous and I can’t wait to see what race you
    run next. Your sweet Moma would be so proud. I know she
    was right there with you every step of the way.

    Take care sweetie. I loved this post. Your photos are just
    priceless. Hope you have a gorgeous day.

    Country hugs sweetie…Sherry

  3. What a great way to spend time together. My Hubs and I took up running too. He is sooo much faster than me, but we love spending the time together and are each other’s cheerleaders.

  4. Congratulations! You all look like you had a great time. I have been running for years now, but have never been in a race. So happy for you.

    -Rene

  5. Congratulations!! That is such a great accomplishment. I find running painful and boring as well, so I get where you’re coming from. I think it is so great that it was a family event for you. What a wonderful way to spend some time with your family!

  6. Congrats, Traci!! That’s a big accomplishment! Next thing you know, you’ll be running a half marathon w/ your hubby. :)

    I don’t know how you feel about this, but your post got me thinking. Some races benefit a cause, like ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or even just to helping fund glasses for kids who can’t afford it. I’ve done a fair amount of road races, and it’s encouraging to do them! Sometimes you’ll even run in a race where the cancer survivors are “marked” with a certain shirt. (It’s always good to give ’em a pat on the back!) I don’t know how you feel about this, but what do you think about doing a road race in memory/honor of your mom? I tried looking for a gastric cancer road race, but wasn’t able to find one — there was a colon cancer road race (is that the same?-I’m not sure?) in NYC. Here’s the link: http://www.coloncancerchallenge.org/ Their website as snappy looking as some – if you’re interested, you might try calling/emailing to get more info for the 2011 race. I’m not trying to be overwhelming or pushy – just offering some food for thought! :)

  7. WHOOPS! That second-to-the-last sentence should read “Their website’s not as snappy looking as some”.

  8. Congratulations, a first race is a very big hurdle! And I’m totally impressed at your time; I ran my first 5k about 14 years ago and have been running off and on ever since – but I’m not sure I’ve ever cracked 30 minutes. Hope you continue to run and enjoy it! (But please increase gradually, I’m sorry to say, by our late 30s, our joints can easily complain otherwise!).
    If you like the idea of a wacky husband/wife race, you might want to look out for the Skirt Chaser series of runs. The women get a head start, and then the guys pursue – it’s a nice way for mismatched couples to race each other to the finish. I’m hoping to do one with hubby, later this year.
    Incidentally, all through school, I hated running too. But somehow, I’m signed up for my first marathon in 2011. Oops!! ;)

  9. Traci

    Congratulations Girl!!!! Way to go! That is awesome. I don’t like running either. LOL

    What a great family activity and what a beautiful family you have. Thanks for sharing.

  10. Way to go girl!! That is a great accomplishment and I’m very proud of you :) I am not a runner either, gave that up when my knees went bad and had to get surgery on one. I think it is great that the entire family was right there with you. Thanks for sharing your great accomplishment! Have a great day!!

  11. Way to go Traci! You sound like me when describing how I feel about running. Sometimes lately when I am walking, I get the strangest urge to run. I have not given in to it yet but now maybe I will. I read Amy C’s comment above and it got me to thinking about my mother’s cancer so I looked into and found an organization for pancreatic cancer walks and runs. http://www.tofightcancer.com/index.php I am glad I read your post and that it opened up a new door for me. Congratulations in achieving your time goal. I love how it turned into a family event!

    ~ Tracy

  12. I could write this post myself as it fits me perfectly :) I have always hated running, but started May 2009. I started with the Couch to 5K program and to my surprise, loved it. My hubby and I ran in our first 5K in November. I’ve started back (quit in cold weather) and we run in another one next month with our 8 year old daughter. My 40th birthday is quickly approaching, so I think that’s where my motivation comes from!

    Way to go!!! Great, great time!

  13. That’s brilliant, congratulations! I’ve got my first ever race in two weeks time, but it’s a walk/jog/run Race for Life to raise money for cancer. I think I’m definitely going to try jogging, but it will mostly be a walk – still, it’s the taking part that counts right?! x

  14. A big congrats on your first 5K and finishing under your goal time! How wonderful you got the whole family involved.

    Our “running stories” could be an example of parallel lives. I too hated to run/jog even though I played several sports throughout school, and was big into “aerobics classes” back in the day! LOL Then, at the same age you are now, 7 years ago, I took up jogging and ran my first 5K. It was a fantastic feeling.

    Keep up the good work! Might we see a 10K or half marathon in your future?! :o)

  15. That is awesome! I have recently met more people who run and actually enjoy it?! I need to start running even though I have definitely never been a runner either.

  16. Good for you girlie!! My husband started running (well, walking, then running) about two years ago. He lost 100 lbs. within a year, obliterated his diabetes and high chlolesterol and became a changed (i.e. health fanatic-yeah!) person. He’s so proud of his accomplishments after every race. He’s going to run a marathon in October that is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon! It’s good to do something for yourself that makes you feel terrific. And your kids are doing an awesome job, too! I’m going to tell my boys (11 and 5) about them running, too. Thanks!

  17. I always hated running… until a few years ago when I wanted to get in shape and my girlfriends invited me to run in a 3k with them. I ran it, and couldn’t stop! Now i’ve done so many 5K’s I can’t remember and a couple 10Ks. I was training for the half when I found out i was pregnant and had to stop. (Lexington has some really fun races to run in if you’re interested in other races. Try johnsrunwalkshop.com to look up race calendars! We ran a 5K at keeneland on Thanksgiving that was fun!) Anyway, Good for you! I hope that one day I’ll have my kids on the running path!! :)

  18. Congrats! I don’t like to run. Being 5′ on a good hair day, I can’t make those hurdles too. ;) Maybe one day I might decide to run. Maybe. ;)

  19. I too hated running then I got hooked and ran my first half -marathon this May. I still haven’t done a 5k. I think I started this whole running thing backwards :) Congrats on beating your goal!!

  20. Congratulations!
    You really are beautiful!
    Inside and out (I may add).
    Your Wednesday’s with Wanda post are very touching. Your mother was such a great example of how we all should live Christ-like lives.
    Thank you for sharing her with us.

  21. Hi Traci,

    Just thought I’d let you know that I did my first 5k this morning, my friend did it with me and stuck by me all the way through (she can run much faster than I can bless her). We completed it in 32 minutes! Pretty chuffed with that!

    Take care, Sara x

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