I Ran the Zoo Run Run

This is a picture of me and two of my kids before the race this Saturday. I told them to look tough, I think Drew was trying to look comatose. It was a freezing cold day in Nashville but the race was even more fun than I thought it would be. I think a zoo 5K is a perfect way to start because you are surrounded by people dressed as animals and small children which keeps you from being too intimidated. There was a lobster man. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture with him. Andy and the kids all braved the cold to cheer me on which was no small task. Andy Osenga, who first told me about the race, and I had been heckling each other about who would win but standing at the starting line I didn't feel too confident. With ipod and race mix in hand I was ready to go. David Mead, Ryan Adams and Ben Shive (very random, I know) didn't steer me wrong this time. The run was great, felt easy, and I came in under 30 minutes (29:47 to be exact) which I guess is OK for your first 5K. Now I have a goal to work from and I also realize I will never win the thing. Some crazy person ran it in 15 minutes, what in the world? Still, seeing my kids cheering for me as I turned the corner was the best part. I want them to know you still have new things you want to try and goals you want to accomplish when you are an old mom:) Nothing was greater than that, but a close second was beating Andy O. by a half minute or so. I can't rub it in too much or he will run laps around me next time. If you want his account and a few more pictures you can go to his blog at http://www.andyosenga.com/2009/01/24/the-results-are-in/#comments