I'm Gonna Wash that PR Right Out of My Hair! This race was proof again that I can do ANYTHING. I really didn't want to run as fast as I did the whole time, but I did. I really didn't want to keep going, but I did. I really didn't want to run ahead of my running buddy at the end, but I did. And it all was awesome. Marion helped pace me and keep me motivated. She was with me every step of the way, even if it was a bit uncomfortable for her lungs(her training has been a little bit back and forth thanks to recovering from trying to take on a car!). She also coaxed me into running ahead of her the last .5 and kept yelling at me from behind. She is one heck of a cool lady! We were both kick butt steam engines today!!! I did hit the PUKE ZONE the last half of the race. Marion says that is the zone you should be running in during a 5k. I also liked that she said: "Whether you are running fast, or running slow, you are going to hurt." I guess it is always better to run faster then, right? She also kept reminding me that I wasn't going to die! I think she needs to write some sort of book about running races. We could call it: $#*! My Pacer Says. What a guru! The best part of this little race every year is the fact that many of my students help make it happen. The JROTC at our school hosts the event, in a way. Many of them run in a group, some with army boots on, carrying our school flag and chanting cadences. Others help along the route to direct the runners and offer words of encouragement. I really love when they see me out there and get excited. The will hoot and cheer and tell me that they love me. Those little moments make the hard moments from work disappear and again remind me of why I do what I do everyday! Another part that was fun about the race today was running past people who stopped running. It felt so good to know that I never stopped. I also enjoyed running past one man in particular, who was very miffed that I passed him(because girls can't beat guys, right?). He then started to run faster and overtook me again. I had more steam and got ahead of him again and shortly after, he gave up! That was a good feeling. This was a great race on a great day!!!
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