I've never been a runner. I was the girl who quit soccer in my youth because it was too much running. Later I decided that basically applied to all sports, and that's when I decided sports weren't for me. I did take up an enjoyment of gym-going in gradschool, looking for a way to replace the parties with a more suitable plan to meet people. I got hooked when I graduated and realized exercise was my only hope of survival for actually making it 9-5....and I dropped a few pounds, too. SOLD! When we had kids, my normal gym-going routine wasnt and I needed another plan. We bought an elliptical and I love it. But, child #2 comes and now I need to exercise in PEACE! So, running (darn it to pieces!) fit the order (fast, cheep, high calorie burner, etc.).

So I'm been running very slowly for a very few months and my husband suckers me in a *race*. The rules were 4K run, 30K bike, 4K run (i run, he bikes) and P insisted he was not in-it-to-win-it and that there would be soooo many less qualified people than you. And, a day to spend together in the outdoors sounds great, right?

Race day was freezing but I was prepared with my Mossimo stretch pants from Target and my zip up 'performance hoodie' also from the big T. I chose all black because, clearly, it would make me look fierce. I'm a bit nervous on the way, but calm myself by organizing my iPod, reapplying lipgloss, and folding my 2 papertowels that I always run with (to pat my brow).

We get there, late of course, and we see you have to park without eyesight of check-in. So, P goes ahead on his bike and I carry all our gear (this is amateur flag 1, everyone else had special 'gear bags'). I start trudging up this huge hill will all this 'stuff'', and it's so steep, and I'm carrying so much, that Paul has to come back for the car to pick me up. We arrive at the top of what I'll just call 'the mountain' and see people dressed like this, running sprints to WARM UP, and patting each other on the back with things like, "hey man, that was an incredible time at last weeks mid-week-double-marathon-in-the-artic-circle".

I contemplated making a run for the county line just so I didn't have to humiliate myself in this manner, but I didn't have time b/c I was too busy pinning together my running costume to make sure it didn't fall off and attaching my iPod perfectly....ooh and stretching. Time to start and they say "no iPods, it's against race-day regulation!"--and, also, the course is the 'mountain' I walked up to check-in. I almost starting screaming "boo! Hiss!" until I realized I was the only one hearing the news for the first time.

I was hoping for a gun at the start line, but my disappointment over that faded as I saw every other racer fly past me at lightning speed. By the time we reached the first "bend" I was racing all alone....but I kept going....with a serious "loser" chant playing between my ears. I finished 3rd to last! Paul did great. I am wearing my t-shirt with pride....telling everyone who will listen (clearly).....and telling myself to try new things.....because humility is good.

**This just in--the final results were posted and Paul and I finished 4th in our division!!!!

subscript: only 4 in our division:)