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Please note, this blog does not reflect the PointsPlus plan. I'm sticking with an earlier version of the plan because it has worked so beautifully for me over the years. Good luck with your journey, no matter what plan you follow!

May 24, 2010

Our first family 5k!

Just typing the title of this blog post makes me smile.  We signed up & participated in the "A Kid Again" 5k which was held in the parking lot of Kings Island amusement park. 

Kent and I ran it. He charged on like always, leaving me in his dust.  I tried to keep up for the first 3/4 of a mile or so, then I had to slow down.  By mile 1 I needed a short walk break (rrrrr!).  I walked a total of 5 times (about 10-15 seconds long each time) during this event according to my Garmin.  Not because of my knee, though.  It was fine.  I had a really hard time breathing with the humidity.  We had a massive rain storm blow threw Friday night, which set us up for 100% humidity Saturday morning.  Nice.  Oh, and I also felt tired.  So tired.  Unusually tired.  To be honest, this has been happening a lot lately.  I'm really not sure what is going on with me.  Maybe stress from the move?  Who knows.  OH.....I also got lost midway through the water park.  They had lots of people directing us where to go, but I came upon a section without any other runners to follow or people pointing me in the right direction....and took a wrong turn. lmao  I'm not even kidding! The worst part was, someone was following me & I didn't know it. I totally threw her off track.  (Sorry to that person!)  That'll teach people to follow me in a race! lol  However, even with the walk breaks & the level of exhaustion & getting lost inside Boomerang Bay, I set a new personal best for 5k event runs with a 9:54 pace! Could I have done better?  Yep.  Do I care?  Nope.  There are plenty of other 5k's to run this summer.  Kent did not care about his time or pace.  He only participated for the ticket to Kings Island...and because I made him go.  Both kids walked the route.  Ben took it very seriously, as he does most things.  Riley was a total drama queen, and acted like her feet were going to melt off of her body if she took one step past the finish line.  I think the look on both of their little faces says it all! lol

{click to view larger image}


This spring has been bitter sweet for our family.  We knew a move was in our future, so we didn't buy season passes to the park this year. This is the first year since we moved to Ohio that we haven't already been to Kings Island at least 10 times. However, if you signed up for the 5k, they gave you a free day pass! So we'll get to go onnnnne last time before we move.  It was worth it.  Not only for the free pass, but I've always wanted an active family.  We're very slowly getting there.  :)

{Side Note: Don't be jealous of my picture with Charlie Brown.  Holla!  Also, A Kid Again does many great things for families of sick kids.  Be sure to check out their site when you have time.  If you're local, you might seriously consider walking or running this 5k next May!  It's really small.  Only 375 or so people were there.  A nice change from some of the large races I've participated in this past year.  Strollers & kids are totally welcome to participate.  I noticed several toddlers climbing out of their stollers to walk over the finish line.  Totally cute!  The dude running in flip flops....not so cute.  Not at all.}

6 comments so far...click here to leave yours!:

caseykfromsantafe said...

Congrats Heather & fam! I have got a question that I am hoping you can answer...looking for some headphones that don't fall out when I run. Any suggestions?!

Reen said...

Hey, Heather! Love the pics and love the fact that you can get your whole familiy to do a 5K with you. I haven't found anyone to run with yet.

Heather said...

Thanks, Reen!!!! Kent said I'm "too aggressive" when I run. So he dislikes running in events with me, but is OK going on training runs with me. Hmph! So much for a running mate.

Heather said...

Casey, YES!!! I do have a favorite headphone. After spending a gazillion and one (at least) dollars on all different brands and styles, I found one I love. I'll blog about them this morning.

awelbaum said...

Glad you had fun too! I totally saw you but didn't know it was you until just now and you posted a picture! Going through Boomerang Bay was pretty neat, especially with it being deserted!

Heather said...

Mandi, YAY for completing your first 5k!!!! How do you feel about it? Ready for another one?

You are the 3rd person who mentioned they saw me there. I saw NO ONE. I take that back. I saw a former WW member of mine. What concerns me MOST is, one of the gals who was there as a runner (literally right behind me crossing the finish line) is a neighbor of mine. I see her every day at the bus stop with the kids. There were not that many people there. It's not like it was a huge sea of bodies. lol What is wrong with me that I don't "see" people?