All I can say is WOW!
My race preparations started the night before with a Carb Din Din…most racers fill up on pasta but c’mon, I am Mari and I do things my way lol. So what did I have the night before my race???? PANCAKES!!!! Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with PB, Lite Syrup, and a Banana….yums!
I woke up today around 6ish and the nerves were getting the best of me; I was feeling anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time. Around 7ish my family came to pick me up and surprised me with the most amazing sign! I seriously have the best FAMILY!!!!!
We got to Washington Heights pretty early but it took us like 45 minutes to find parking.
They were still setting up when we arrived which just made me feel a little more anxious…
I took the opportunity to take a pictures with home fries…
As I waited around I saw JESS! It felt great to see a familiar face!
I parted ways with my family and walked to find my place, alllllllllll the way in the back lol. The nerves were turning into terror at this point; I described the feeling to the girl next to me, like you are waiting in line for a rollercoaster ride…you really want to go on it but there is a little part of you telling you “NO THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA” but once you are on the ride, you are happy that you went through with it….
We waited and waited….
After about what seemed like eternity…I was on my way…
I saw my family and blew them a kiss!
This is where things started to get interesting…I am not sure how many of you guys have ever been to Washington Heights but this place is KNOWN for its HILLS! Was I being too ambitious when I signed up for this race? Should I have waited for an easier course? it was too late! this is where I was and I had two choices, ENJOY IT or DREAD IT!? I ENJOYED IT!
Yes, I felt like my heart was going to pop out of chest when I was going up those hills but I pushed through…I listened to the bands playing and the people cheering and this was better than any cup of coffee! THIS gave me the energy that I needed…
As I was running, this guys finished first! He is AMAZING! Look at his form!
I looped around the park and knew I was half way there…run run run…2 mile sign was in my sight and it felt great…But damn ANOTHER hill! “Push it MARI, PUSH IT!”
Wait is that the finish line? OMG it is! It’s the finish line!!!!!
And just like that I completed my first 5K! I was filled with so much emotion that the tears started to roll down my face! And when I saw my family, I hugged them and cried. This race meant so much to me, not only because it was my first race but because I did it in honor my grandmother who passed away 2 years ago.
My mom, sis, and home fries were there to support me from start to finish.
My sister’s boyfriend came too!
This was such an amazing experience! ohhh I almost forgot my stats! lol…
Distance: 3.1 Miles
Net Time: 33.06
Pace/Mile: 10:40
Not to shabby for my first 5K (with all those damn hills lol)
Thank you for alllllll of your support and encouragement!
Namaste…
