Accomplishment!
Yesterday was a huge day for me - I did the Broad Street Run! The Broad Street Run is a 10 mile run that takes place every year in Philadelphia. Now, I have never been a runner. Mom made me go out for track in junior high and I ended up throwing shot put to avoid running. I pretty much hate running. I have no idea what possessed me to take this on - the challenge of it maybe, or the fact that now that I have a staff job, I actually have time to have a life outside of work. Whatever it was, on February 27th, I started training and huffed and puffed getting through a mile and a half. On yesterday's run, I took a few walk breaks (and one very important potty break 2 miles in that ended up adding five minutes on to my final time by the time I waited in line for the glorious porta potties), but I'd say out of the whole 10 miles, I only walked 3/4 mile in total. That means I RAN 9 1/4 MILES. Insanity. My official time was 2:19:55, which is 10 minutes under what I estimated it would take me. And, the heat was awful yesterday - it was so muggy it was like swimming down broad street. But they opened up fire hydrants for us to run through, and there were tons of water and gatorade stations. I think if the weather had been more favorable, I could have shaved another 10 minutes off my time. If I do it again next year (and I haven't decided yet), my goal will be to finish in under two hours.
And, of course, because I'm me, I got sunburned. I remembered to put sunscreen on my face and shoulders, but neglected my neck, chest, shoulder blades where there were cut outs on my top, forearms, and the backs of my legs. The backs of my legs got it the worst (you'd think after all these years I'd remember to put sunscreen on my legs. Apparently not).
All in all, a HUGE sense of accomplishment. I cried a little when I crossed the finish line, it was a little overwhelming that I actually DID IT. Then I got my act together and limped to the car to enjoy the air conditioning and headed home to spend the rest of my day on the couch watching tv; I earned it.
And, of course, because I'm me, I got sunburned. I remembered to put sunscreen on my face and shoulders, but neglected my neck, chest, shoulder blades where there were cut outs on my top, forearms, and the backs of my legs. The backs of my legs got it the worst (you'd think after all these years I'd remember to put sunscreen on my legs. Apparently not).
All in all, a HUGE sense of accomplishment. I cried a little when I crossed the finish line, it was a little overwhelming that I actually DID IT. Then I got my act together and limped to the car to enjoy the air conditioning and headed home to spend the rest of my day on the couch watching tv; I earned it.