Rock 'N' Run ('N' Eat 'N' Nap)

The title kind of sums up the day … it started early (5:30am) as Lucas and I got up to do his-and-hers versions of pre-5K prep. For Lucas, that meant hanging out with the dogs, drinking some water and stretching. I did a quick Exercise TV stretch, got my cute running outfit on, spent a ridiculously long amount of time getting the race chip on my shoe, and danced around for a while to get the butterflies out of my stomach.

It’s a little backwards, but here’s a video I did when we got home — keep reading for pictures, a recap and of course … that all-important picture of my post-run pancake finishing time.

Someday I’ll make a video in which my hair is not wet, I have makeup on and I do not say “um” and “actually” 25 times in two minutes. If you do want to email me, the address is kwidrick at sillytatertot dot com.

Also — my boss was at the race shooting a video, so look for that on http://GrowingBolder.com next week!

Onto the pictures, because, well — they’re freaking adorable.

As I said in the video, neither Lucas nor I went into the 5K with too many expectations. He is a hustler, and said he just wanted to finish. 21 minutes and 14 seconds after he started, he finished. #15 for his age group. I am very proud of him.

I am also proud of myself — check out line #13 (you can click the image to see a bigger version):

I finished 13th in my age group, with a time of 25:57, which means I was running about a 8:20/mile. Not too shabby!

Here is a collection of pictures from the day. You’ll see me, Lucas, Caitlin, Meghann, Kelly, Megan and many others — including my friend Jamie.

Pre-race:

Post-Race:

Jamie (in the green) was amazing — she’d finished well ahead of me, so I was shocked when I heard her call my name with about a quarter-mile to go … seeing her made me want to run as fast as I could to the finish line, so I know I broke 26 minutes because of her. Thanks, Jame!

We all piled our sweaty, stinky selves into our cars after the race and headed to First Watch for a healthy mix of carbs, protein and fats.

Ahem, I said healthy. Lucas’s plate of bacon notwithstanding, the blueberry pancakes were delish as always, and I walked out of there STUFFED and happy:

Jumped into a much-needed shower, and now I’m planning a leisurely afternoon of college football, some beer, sleepy dogs and most likely, a nap.

One final note on the race. One of the sponsors was Winter Park Urology, a group of doctors that specialize in treating prostate cancer. Someone I love VERY much is in treatment for prostate cancer right now, and doing well … because he was diagnosed early. He didn’t have any symptoms — just went to the doctor for a routine exam and found out that he had cancer.

So I will proudly wear this blue band that I picked up at the race, and hope that you will urge all men in your life to get screened.

Laila gives all today’s runners and walkers a big thumbs up! (yes she really has thumbs)

Tagged as: Race Recap, Running, Silly Tater Tot