The Results are In: 5K Complete

Last year was my first 5k. I was 2 months (and I think one week) post op. I had been walking since surgery, starting with 1 mile and building up until I could complete 3.2.

The day we did the 5k, I was 50 pounds down, weighing in at 277. I finished the race in 53 minutes, as a walker. And it was awesome.

Today I am 195, so 80 pounds lighter. I haven't walked or timed myself since last year, so I was hoping to shave off at least 4 minutes.

Today I walked the 5k in 43 minutes! Ten minutes faster than last year!

Let me give you the story, now that you have the stats.

We got there and I was feeling good. Nervous. But good. Once we took the obligatory Amy/Tracey modeling shots, we lined up and the race started. I encouraged Tracey to actually leave me and walk as fast as he could (he can't run bc of his knee). I wanted him to beat one of male coworkers who is also a walker. So Tracey took off walking like a bat out of hell and I lost sight of him in about 4 minutes.

Now it was just me and my brain. No iPod. No music.

I was walking as fast as my stubby little legs could take me. I would see a skinny person walking in front of me, get them in my crosshairs, and try to catch them. Oh...I caught them. And then I passed them.

Buh Buh Skinny Person.

On to the next one. And that is how I progressed. I couldn't believe I was passing people. People that looked like they actually walked once in awhile to stay in shape.

I chatted with them of course as I passed. Making little jokes to make them giggle. I didn't want to crush their spirit...as I stomped their ass into the ground.

Do you know what kept me motivated? Zumba. Stop signs. And you. First, I kept telling myself that I was not yet as winded as Zumba makes me...so I knew I could give more. Second, everytime I saw a stop sign, I thought the universe was using reverse psychology on me...taunting me. I said OH NO YOU DON'T UNIVERSE! I am not stopping. So I started going faster. And then there was you guys. I kept repeating, "Bloggers, Bloggers, Bloggers...you are doing this for the bloggers".

I will tell you that the longest part of any race is the last mile. Sweet mother of longevity...it seems to never end. Well, I lit whatever fire there was left under my ass and started walking so fast I thought I might fall over.

I crossed that finish like strong, happy, and smiling. I took third in my age group.

Tracey took Master Male...which in 5k lingo means the second fastest male out of ALL the male walkers!

Let us take a look at the photographic evidence. This first montage is me last year. I think you can click on it to make it bigger.
The "hold your number" pose.

Look at poor Tracey couldnt get his arms around me last year!

Next, here is me winning my award. I was doing the two handed pump here to the crowd.

I love this picture. I look happy, healthy, and...like Amy.

Showing off our medals!

Loves you guys! Hope your weekend is FABULOUS!