In case many of you have been wondering where I have been these past weeks, here is your answer:

I have not been doing well in my quest to lose 65 pounds. I could have peaked but will need help from a higher up. Plus I still have 95 days left to achieve my goal.

With that being said, let's get on to the other goal I was working on, running in an organized race.

My first 5k was a great experience. I would love to make this into a joke, but I really wanted to accomplish this goal. For myself and for my daughter who had been going with me to train.

I started my morning waking up at 7:00 am, hopped in the car and drove to United to get an energy drink. My wife says the sweetest thing while getting dressed for the event.

"You know most people when they are getting ready for a race will eat oranges, bananas or something healthy, not an energy drink!"

Just the motivation I needed to start the day. Too bad her smile made me laugh.

My daughter wanted to make sure that I had the right mind set and proceeded to tell me she was my coach and we went through a series of stretches that I could not complete nor would ever be able to. Needless to say I was warmed up.

I made the quick walk up to campus and started to see the crowds. Many people participating this year. It appeared only one of them decided to wear pants (me). Many rookie mistakes made on this run. I also had my iPod already rigged up and ready to run. Not many people with those either.

So the event started and just past the starting line was my beautiful family waving at me. My oldest gave me a high five and I was off and running, slowly falling more and more behind.

I did not care; I was here to run the entire race. There were about 4 times when I wanted to quit. The first was running down Cedar Crest. However, I couldn't because the race had just started and I hadn't even run a mile. I told myself that I could at least run two. Then I ran up to the intersection of 16th and Cedar Crest where some of the Men of Galaxy could be seen cheering on everyone. I couldn't let them see a sponsor start walking.

Then the long trek down Cedar Crest to 10th. It felt like forever, I could walk and no one would know except me and that was too many people. Plus those dang Moonies were at the intersection of 10th and Cedar Crest to wave me on.

Well I made it across the street and realized I had run two miles, it wasn't noon and there was only the hill of Washington to overcome. I couldn't quit now. I had run too far. But if I got injured, it could be justified. Nope, then I would kick myself.

I press on and turn up to Washington. No lie, the incline looked straight up and you would need a ladder to advance. Sure enough there was a Moonie, clapping and encouraging. Can't walk now.

As I go to the top of Ole Smokey, the last group of Moonies were clapping and waving me on. I am passed up by some runner/walkers with "on the move" on the back of their shirts.

I can't stand getting passed up by runner/walkers. Then I get to the end of Washington and grin the biggest grin. There is my family with the oldest holding a cup of water. My middle child is clapping and the youngest is asleep. My wife was taking pictures of my penguin looking body while I run.

It was so great to see them and now I had water. I had no idea what to do with water when running because I've never been in a race, but I did what I think you are supposed to do and dump some in your mouth and spit it out.

Then as I ran along a little further, my oldest caught up with me (not tough to do) and we ran hand in hand through the finish line together.

I was number 178 and she was number 177, she beat me.

http://www.kirkgoodwinrun.com/statistics/6.html

I was glad it was over. I ran the whole time and didn't finish last. In those people's defense, one of them was pregnant and one of them was 90.

So after a nice morning of running I am called by my brother in law whose wedding I am going to in July. He wanted to know if I did anything today and I said "yeah, I did! I ran a 5k!"

He was like "cool, me and my fiancé just got done running one too. I ran it in 28 minutes"

Jerk. But he did ask me to be in his wedding, or stand up in his wedding or whatever the kids are saying these days. I am super excited to be a part of it. He's a great guy and she's a special woman.

Crap, now I really do have to lose weight.

Posted by James Mayo · April 21, 2008 2:57 PM · Comments (1)