10K-astrophe

The Rock N' Sole race received a lot of heat from the press and the runners - due to the lack of water, shade and "rock." Yes, I was hot and yes, I could have used more water - but honestly, it was a pretty good experience. I was able to walk the Hoan Bridge with two great friends - and about 6,000 other Milwaukeeians.

But, since my 8thish month of pregnancy, my knees have been killing me. I've been doing this odd-hobble around thing if I sit for more than 30 minutes at a time - and my knees have swelled to the size of Big Macs. So knee issues and 20 pounds of additional "baby weight" REALLY made this race a challenge.

As I walked along the bridge I started a nasty inner dialogue:  
Why didn't I train better? 
Why didn't I train - at all? 
Come on, I just had a baby three months ago - and I wasn't able to workout until she was 6 weeks old.
Ugh, this extra weight is gross and annoying. 
At least I'm doing this. 
It's so hot. 
I think someone in their 80s just passed me. 
Seriously, at least I'm out here doing this.  

It's so easy to do this while running. During a yoga practice, I can get lost in a pose or mentally give myself a pat on the back for holding a really challenging pose - but running. Ugh, running. It's just this never ending cycle of...running.

Then, near the finish line, a girl from the sidelines pumped her fists in the air and yelled "Go Mom!" and her mom just put her hand in the air, a gesture of thanks. With that sweet gesture and the finish line in sight, I turned off my negative-twirly thinking.

How wonderful for this daughter to see her mother in this way - healthy, normal and active. She set a goal, met her goal - and now they can go enjoy a complimentary MGD together. That's what I want for Ingrid - to understand the importance of goal-setting, being healthy and to make time for yourself.

At the end of the race, my friend and I were discussed how disappointed we were for our pre-race training, and perhaps we should view this race as a starting point vs. an end goal. So, we committed to running a 5K this fall.

I'll be honest with you - I hate running with a passion. I love yoga as much as I hate running. Wait, I love Oreos as much as I despise running. But, because I left this 10K race feeling less than satisfied, I owe it to myself and my BigMac knees to start training.

Serena and I after the race. She's the one with the non-Big-Mac-sized knees.