Kim versus the 5K: Bearkat Bash

Before we get into the details of the race, my little buttercups, let's discuss the events leading up to it, shall we?!  This is a bit long winded, so I apologize in advance...

So, as previously discussed I've been having some awful headache issues and an occasional bout of the dizzies.  I once again awoke in the middle of the night (2:02am to be exact) with the head pounding very sarcastic yay here>.  I rummaged through my medicine cabinet...er drawer...and discovered some slightly expired migraine OTC medication.  What's your take on expired medicinal products?  I personally don't buy into it...I think it's just the manufacturer's way of getting you to buy more - or at least that's what I'm going with here.  So, I popped 3 of them (shhhh...recommended dosage was 2, but I wasn't messing around with this hammering) and then I did something bad.  Instead of returning to the comfort of my bed, I went to my laptop to check on how my job was coming along in Tokyo (Sorority Life on Facebook).  Uh oh...only 16 minutes and 22 seconds before I could collect my earnings.  I could just go back to bed and collect the yen when I awoke again, but where would be the fun in that, so I decided to go to Las Vegas (Mafia Wars on Facebook) in the meanwhile and fight mob bosses and the lot until my 16 minutes and 22 seconds were up.  When the time was right, I collected my yen and then I thought about how I had just enough to buy this really cute Japanese print dress for 38,000 yen, so I bought it and then I had to try it on my little Sorority pledge, but then I kinda thought it made her hips look big, so I put her in an olive green Kimono instead with a pink sash.  Ah...that was the ticket.  Anyway, once I found the perfect shoes, the right hairstyle, and the appropriate accessories, the fashion show was over and I retired once again to my bedroom not so much because I was tired, but really just to shut my little doggies up who were both whining (one of them, Delilah, had already gotten out of bed to come check on me).  It was now 2:39am and my alarm was set for 4:30am.  

I tossed and turned and tossed and turned some more.  I had one of those laugh out loud moments, too.  The other day there was some dialog going on amongst my brother-in-law Craig, my double cousin Danielle, and I (or is it me?) on Facebook.  Craig ended the dialog by saying, "Too late.  Head is Uge!" This was making fun of my father who has a special problem (he likes to call it a disability) and can't pronounce the Hs in words beginning in H for some reason.  So, what made me laugh out loud was I thought of a sentence - How long is the flight to Hawaii?  Only I removed all the words starting with Hs, which made it Ow long is the flight to Awaii?  Maybe you would have to have been there with me or just know my dad to appreciate this.  Regardless, I think what made me laugh the most was how just earlier that evening, double cousin Danielle was insisting that 2:30am is hilarious.  I told her I hardly doubted that was the case, but now I think she might be on to something...  The dogs were getting a bit annoyed with me - it was obvious by their big sighs and their exasperated switching sleeping positions.  Whatever, dogs.  I'm in charge here and clearly so mature.  I decided to go to the bathroom.  One of the dogs (Delilah, again - shocker) decided to steal my spot on the bed.  She was removed, no worries.  I settled back down and must have eventually fallen asleep until that dreaded alarm sounded off just a short while later.

I got up, got ready, ate a whole wheat bun lightly toasted with Justin's almond maple butter and banana, stretched A LOT - especially that IT-band, and eventually headed out the door to the park.  Meyer Park has two sides and my team always meets on the one side in particular.  This side, for some reason, was closed.  There were cops there informing us that we must go to the other side.  This was weird.  In my head, I had decided there had been a murder on the other side.  This goes to show you how morbid I am.  One of my teammates thought that perhaps there was going to be some sort of event later that day.  Another teammate thought maybe there had been a drug bust.  Regardless, it annoyed us because our routine was thrown off.  Our coach gave us our swag bags which had our bibs, d-tags, tshirt, and some goodies in it.  I went to put the bag in my car after securing my bib and d-tag, and then I started doing some mileage.  I did about 1.75 miles at the park and then headed out towards the high school.  I found the route the 5K was taking and kept asking the volunteers if I was winning.  They laughed!  I hit the mile 2 table and they even offered me water - bless their hearts I was in need and took them up on their offer.  I continued all the way to the high school and  it ended up being 3 miles.  I got there in just enough time to use the facilities and I found Lauren and her sister, Sarah.  I was sad that I somehow lost my spare piece of gum, so that meant I had to run without it.  This sucked royally because that's how I control my breathing and how I stay hydrated even though some people (younger sister Linda WHAT?!) beg to differ.

I started off strong.  My first mile was 12:36.  Yes, this is good for me.  I know...le sad compared to so many others.  ha!  I'm okay with being a turtle.  Remember that my motto is slow and steady to finish the race.  I was a bit annoyed, however, because there were bunches of high schoolers running the race (that's not the annoying part) and some of the girls were just plain obnoxious.  They would walk in a line blocking faster walkers or runners and then they would all the sudden start sprinting just to stop and walk again.  They were rowdy and I guess what it boils down to is that they just didn't take it seriously.  I'm all about having fun, don't get me wrong, but to me...a race is a big deal and they were just doing it so nonchalantly that it kind of demeaned the event, if that makes any sense.  Maybe my age is showing?  Ah well...  I'm glad nobody made me take off my illegal headphones (yes, they tried to say they weren't allowed for insurance purposes - first race I've seen that).

I ran mile two MUCH SLOWER and with half the heart.  My energy was diminishing under the burning sun.  After my Garmin read mile 2, I walked to the water station.  It was cute when I picked up a water and the one kid said, "I remember you!"  Kinda made my moment, you know?!  After I finished my water, I tried to start running again, but I got dizzy.  Ugh!  Not again!!!!  I walked it out for a quarter of a mile, then tried to start running again and then came the charlie horses - it was like deja vu from my half marathon.  I walked it out for another quarter of a mile or so and then started a ridiculously slow jog towards the finish line.  I had to catch myself from stumbling over my own feet 5 times - NOT COOL, but eventually I finished the race with the worst 5K time I've ever had.  =(  Then, I drank tons of water cuz dang...it was HOT and HUMID.  Oh and my finishing song was Jason Mraz's "Mr. A-Z".  

It was my hottest 5K to date.  It was also the only 5K I've done where I've run 3 miles BEFORE running the race.  I've also been fighting these headaches all week.  Yes, I know...all just excuses...

Instead of running back to the park to get my car, I thought it best to ask Lauren and Sarah to give me a lift back and they were so sweet to do just that.  This race marked the 4th race Lauren and I have run together!  Doesn't look like we will have any more opportunities this year with me training for The Houston Half on October 24th and the Houston Chevron Full on January 30th while Lauren is training for the Nike Women's Half on Oct. 17th.

 Okay, enough of my ramblings...I know this was a VERY long post.  How's your weekend looking?