By running with Diana, I ended up having an awesome time at the Thunder Road Jingle Jog 5K.  It was her very first race EVER, and I loved experiencing it with her!

IMG_2553_edited

Nicole also ran the 5K but she was super speedy!

 

It’s well documented through my 31 other races that I suffer from intense pre-race jitter-induced insomnia, but the pressure was totally off for this race and I slept like a little baby.  I clocked in 9 hours and woke up feeling refreshed and ready!

 

Standard pre-race fare: toast and a banana.  If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

IMG_6774

The race start was about 2.0 miles from my apartment, and traffic and parking in Uptown Charlotte is nuts, I decided to run to the race.

 

The streets were already shut down for the race (there was also a marathon and half marathon).  I was a little embarrassed running down the street in my reindeer antlers!  People kept honking at me! Also, every cop that I ran by said, “You sure are fast!” [Wink, wink] because I was technically running on Mile 16 or so but about an hour and a half before anyone else.  Har har; very funny.

IMG_6541

IMG_6544

When I got to 3rd Street in Uptown, I looked at my watch and realized it was 7:46, so a slew of Half Marathoners were about to rush by me, but going in the opposite direction.

 

Thirty seconds later, a cop car went whizzing by, followed by the leader:

IMG_6547

IMG_6551

I cannot tell you how many people yelled at me, “Hey Antlers! You’re going the wrong way!” as I ran in the opposite direction with my bib number on.  🙂

 

Finally, I arrived at the start and met up with Nicole and Diana.

IMG_6559

I realized how much of racing is just second nature to me now – Diana kept asking me the cutest questions like, “Where do I put my number?” (front or thigh); “Where do I blow snot?” (sleeve); “Should I pee now?” (yes); “Where do we line up?” (middle of the pack).  I loved it!  It got me so excited to run with her!

IMG_6567

We lined up at the start, and then it was time to go!

IMG_6565

Diana said her goal was to run the entire race, which I think is a great first 5K goal – don’t focus on time!  She is a Zumba queen and has a great cardio base, so I was pretty confident we could do it.

IMG_6573

IMG_6577

Thunder Road is so hilly but Diana totally held on as we went up each incline!  I kept a constant stream of chatter up to try to distract her as much as possible, but she was doing great.  We only walked through the sole water station (which I don’t think even really counts as walking during the race, personally).

 

We heard the DJ screaming into the microphone before we saw the finish line and started to pick it up.   Diana sprinted through the finish line! 

IMG_6564

I was SO proud of her!  The whole experience of running with Diana really made me have so much more fun than I would’ve otherwise.  I hope she does another 5K!

 

Here are our race statistics (the 2.0 miles I ran before took me 21:30).

 

  • Distance: 3.16 miles
  • Duration: 35:19
  • Mile 1: 11:08
  • Mile 2: 11:41 (water station)
  • Mile 3: 10:58
  • Mile 3.1 – 3.16: 1:31 (9:19 pace with a 7:08 min/mile at the finish)

 

Nicole finished in 27 minutes or so!

IMG_2552_edited

So fun.  I loved doing a local Charlotte race, too!  Next time, I definitely want to do the half marathon.

 

Came home and crashed back into bed!

 

Then, I ate grilled cheese and cherries:

IMG_6777

And a platter of roasted veggies:

IMG_6781 

IMG_6782

Plus, Christmas cookies and coffee. Mmm.

IMG_6783

So much work to get done today.  :(  I better get cracking.

 

Who did you run your first race with (I ran my first 10K solo – it was lonely!)?  Have you ever run a ‘first race’ with someone else?

 

PS – A MAJOR thank you to reader Jennifer, who graciously donated $300 to Girls on the Run this morning.  You made my 5K that much better!

{ 103 comments }

 

  • Diana December 11, 2010, 12:56 pm

    You are a goddess! Thank you so much for running with me! I had such a great time and I have you to thank for that! I loved your constant chatter by the way…it definitely helped me through. 🙂 I will definitely do another 5k!!!!

    • Cindi December 11, 2010, 5:07 pm

      Way to go ladies! Congrats, Diana!!!

  • Jazz December 11, 2010, 12:59 pm

    My first race was a solo 10k as well, I’m hoping the hubby will run with me for my first half marathon!

  • Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) December 11, 2010, 12:59 pm

    Love the antlers! Great job on your race! Have a good day! Power through all that work…you can do it 🙂

  • Kim (Book Worm Runs) December 11, 2010, 1:12 pm

    Racing is my absolute favorite part of running…they are just so fun! 🙂 I can feel that in your recap…very awesome of you to run with your friend in her first race! 🙂

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing December 11, 2010, 1:13 pm

    My first race was a solo 5K where they were unorganized causing me to start late and then my chip didn’t work. SO frustrating!

  • Rachel @Balance and Blueberries December 11, 2010, 1:14 pm

    My first race was in Jackson, MS in July. Talk about hot! I ran with my roommate, she definitely got me through the race. A year later, I ran my second half mary with another roommate: it was her first! We had a great time 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 11, 2010, 1:15 pm

    I am so glad the race went well and you had friends to do it with! Sounds like you had fun and that really is the most important part! Good luck getting everything done today and I hope you get to have a little down time too!

  • janae @ hungryrunnergirl December 11, 2010, 1:17 pm

    Wahoo!! What an awesome race. Glad you were able to sleep well. Races with friends are the best! Your grilled cheese looks amazing!

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks December 11, 2010, 1:19 pm

    I ran my first race in September. It was a 5K with a local (fairly well known in San Francisco…Dolphin South End Runners) running club. One of my co-workers, a serious marathoner (he has run over 10, including Boston twice), also ran the race, but obviously he ran it in half the time it took me, so we didn’t run it together. We just said hey before and after the race.

    My second race was 3 weeks later at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in San Francisco, also a 5K. I ran it alone.

    My third race was 2 weeks ago. Run Wild for a Child had a 5K and 10K. I had wanted to do the 10, but I really hadn’t trained for it, so I decided to just do the 5K. It was the first race I ever ran with someone. My childhood friend, Maya, who now lives in Japan was in town. We ran the first mile together, then she took off, as she’s faster than I am. We did the whole pre-race and post-race stuff together.

    It was really fun to run with a friend…even if it was only for a mile. I hope I get to do it again sometime!

  • Holli December 11, 2010, 1:19 pm

    How funny that you posted this–I have just finished posting a recap of my very first 5K run which happened this morning! (http://awonderingspirit.blogspot.com/2010/12/you-guys.html) Although I prefer to run solo, at the end of the race two of my friends waited for me so we could cross the finish line together. That meant so, so much to me.

  • Lauren December 11, 2010, 1:22 pm

    I ran my first race alone, but my first half marathon with my mom & my neighbor, which was a blast!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate December 11, 2010, 1:25 pm

    Looks like a fun race! 🙂 I’m looking forward to signing up for another 5K soooon!

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete December 11, 2010, 1:27 pm

    I ran my first race with my dad — it was a 1/2 marathon. I wasn’t prepared at all — but I finished and it felt so good! I was hooked ever since.

    This year I ran a 10 mile with my husband and his brother, and there was a girl who kind of stuck with us – it was her first race and she was so nervous. She asked me those same questions: where do I put my bib, should I wear this jacket or leave it in the car, how many hills, where is there water, should I carry a bottle, what is it like at the end, etc.

    It felt good to help her out because I can’t imagine running my first race all alone — it helps to have support!

    Good job on your race and good for you for running TO the race!

  • Anon December 11, 2010, 1:28 pm

    That time is absolutely outstanding. Unbelievable.
    Its kind of hard for me to read these recaps (a former athlete…past two years have been failing health and I cannot even jog 60 seconds if I tried—and I mean that quite literally). Sometimes its hard to deal with what I have physically become.
    But I think you guys are champions.

    I have a question re blogs. I’ve been thinking about starting one up. But its been a hard year, so maybe I should wait until January?
    And I cannot decide on a title. I have no idea because there is nothing specific or special that I plan to write about. Do you (and other bloggers who read this) consult other bloggers or friends for advice on blog names? Feedback? Nothing comes to mind!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:12 am

      I just created my own name without asking someone. You just want something descriptive and memorable.

  • Julie December 11, 2010, 1:28 pm

    I ran my first race, a 5k, with my friend who had started running about a year before me and inspired me to start running, along with her regular running partner. They were training for a half-marathon at the time and were much faster than me, but they both stayed with me the whole time, chatting (while I was just focusing on breathing) and distracting me (in a good way). With their encouragement, I managed to run the full distance! I did another 5k about 2 months later and had to take lots of walking breaks. Definitely more fun with friends.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 11, 2010, 1:32 pm

    Almost all the races I have done have technically been with someone else, but we always split up. I want to finish a race with my sister one day 🙂

  • Amanda December 11, 2010, 1:33 pm

    5K’s are fun, I just love the racing atmosphere. They’re a good race to do with friends besides being more fun WITH friends.

  • Lauren December 11, 2010, 1:34 pm

    I’ve never run a race alone! My first race was a 5K that I ran with my boyfriend and he ran my half with me too (at my pace!) 🙂 My bestie is a bad race partner (she doesn’t know how to pace) but I enjoy running with her anyways.

    Great job on the race!

  • kwithme December 11, 2010, 1:35 pm

    My first race was with a neighbor who became a friend. I had “liked” Couch25K on facebook and she saw it and offered to run with me while I was getting started. She had only run infrequently for the previous 3 years. She was wonderful, she ran at my pace and never made me feel like I was holding her back. We raced together 3 weeks before she moved away in June of 2010. I still miss her dearly and think of her often on my runs. She is one of the reasons that I am a runner now.

    My first race was awesome. It was organized to benefit a local HS track team so they were posting results every 5 mins and it totally spoiled me. The second race I ran, only posted the top 3 after the race and it took 5 days for them to list the standings in the paper and they did not break out into age groups which I like to see. Plus both my kids and my mom got medals but I did not but 35-40 is a much larger age group than under 18 for the 1 mile and the 60+. 🙂

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:10 am

      aw arent good running neighbors the best? so nice to have 🙁 I’m sorry yours moved away!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 11, 2010, 1:36 pm

    My first race was a half – and I ran it with 3 of my friends. I ran ahead of them (we already made a pack that said just DO IT!) but we all reunited at the finish line. It was awesome!

  • the veg meg December 11, 2010, 1:36 pm

    My first race was the Spinx Runfest 5k this year – my husband Alex ran it with me! My goal was to run the whole race, too, and I did – but I also stretched the definition of “run” a bit with a 13:38/mile pace :] It was so cool crossing the finish line together!

  • Laura December 11, 2010, 1:37 pm

    I’ve never run a race; I’m not really a runner. I’ve been working on it though, and I hope to run my first 5K in May for Race for the Cure. Hopefully I can find someone to do it with me!

  • Shannon December 11, 2010, 1:38 pm

    I ended up having to run my first 5k alone, and I was lonely. A bunch of friends were asked to help support a friend so she could run her first 5k and we all agreed to train and run it with her. Well, they all dropped down to the fun walk a few days before, INCLUDING the girl who asked us to run! I ran it anyway, because I wanted a 5k under my belt to say I could do it, even with bad knees. I’m still kind of bummed I didn’t have any friends in my pack, but my husband cheered me on and was happy I did it by myself. I’ve actually never run with people, and I wonder if I would like it or if they would hate me for slowing them down. Hmm.

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair December 11, 2010, 1:39 pm

    Omg I cannot stop laughing at your reindeer antlers. I didn’t even notice them in the first photo – they kinda blend into the background. That is SO FUNNY!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing December 11, 2010, 1:39 pm

    The (second) breakfast of champions! And congrats!
    I’ve never ran a race but i’m DYING to once I’m finally healed from my stress fracture….can. not. wait.

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:10 am

      I hope you heal soon!

  • Wei-Wei December 11, 2010, 1:40 pm

    Great race! It’s so fun to run with people, no? I should get a running buddy…

  • kelly December 11, 2010, 1:40 pm

    I ran my first race, a 5k, by myself.. It was pretty boring!

  • Carolina John December 11, 2010, 1:41 pm

    Very fun! My friend (from michigan) Sarah Smalheer ran the full thunder road marathon this morning and said it was the hardest thing she’s ever done in her life. And she bq’d and ran boston this past april! Yesterday I was in charlotte visiting her, I had no idea you lived so close by. She was staying within walking distance too.

  • Natalia - a side of simple December 11, 2010, 1:43 pm

    Sounds like a great time. Congratulations to Diana, I bet you were a fantastic running buddy, Caitlin, for Diana’s first race. Grilled cheese and cookies is the perfect refuel meal 🙂

  • LindseyAnn December 11, 2010, 1:44 pm

    My very first race was a track meet in 4th grade, so I was with a whole slew of 9-12 year olds (my hometown had a 4-6th grade sports league), so I guess we 4th graders all had our first race together!
    My first road race was technically solo, but my mom and sister were both registered and out there on the course, too. It was a 2 mile race, and I got 2nd in my age group!

  • Beth @ bride in the little white dress December 11, 2010, 1:46 pm

    I haven’t run any races yet, but I would like to run a 5k in the future. 🙂 Love the reindeer antlers, too cute!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) December 11, 2010, 1:53 pm

    I ran my first race with one of my seminary professors and a fellow student. They knew I was scared and ran with me. And Hunni and another professor were cheering us on at the finish. After that I was hooked.

  • Camille December 11, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Sounds like a cool race!
    My first race was actually a marathon (yep, I’m crazy!) which I ran alone. I actually run most of my races alone and I kind of like it that way 🙂

  • Loc (Blogger Boy Run) December 11, 2010, 2:23 pm

    That breakfast looks epic. And I ran my first race (half) with just my Ipod! I like to run by myself most of the time, my runs are when I can get away and be selfish and just focus on me!

  • Chelsey (Cookteen) December 11, 2010, 2:27 pm

    I ran my first 5K with my field hockey teammate it was so nice! She took off a little ahead of me because I twisted my ankle but we still came in 2nd and 3rd for girls our age and finished under 30 minutes.

  • Annie December 11, 2010, 2:28 pm

    I ran my first race (a 15k) by myself, but it didn’t feel lonely. I had done all of my training runs solo, and I loved running with the other people who were racing!! It was a totally different experience and gave me energy and motivation.

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:09 am

      i can’t believe your first 5K was a 15K! you are a monster!

  • grocery goddess jen December 11, 2010, 2:35 pm

    I ran my first race, a half marathon, by myself. I just had it in my head I wanted to run one, and it was this little local dinky course with only about 200 people running it! It was soooo lonely. I also didn’t have any family nearby at the time, so no one was there to see me finish either. So awesome of you to keep Diana motivated!

  • Sara December 11, 2010, 2:36 pm

    I recently ran my first 5K and my younger sister tagged along. She’s one who can run a 5K in 22 minutes … I am no where near that fast. It was such an awesome experience to have her run with me and I know I wouldn’t have done as well if she weren’t by my side encouraging me the entire time. I felt bad for making her run so slow but I know that she will do plenty of other races where she can really show off her skills.

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence December 11, 2010, 2:44 pm

    Congrats to Diana for her fist race!

  • Paige @Running Around Normal December 11, 2010, 2:46 pm

    How fun!!
    I went with my friend Missy to my first 5k in 2009. She was an experienced runner and we basically went through all the Q&A that you and Diana did, heh. Good times 🙂

  • Heather December 11, 2010, 2:51 pm

    I ran my first race with a friend, glad I did it that way!

  • Jaclyn December 11, 2010, 2:57 pm

    What a fun race! I ran my first race with about 40 of my sorority sisters, junior year in college. It was a 5K organized by another sorority to raise money for the Red Cross about 3 weeks after 9/11, and all of the frats and sororities on campus sent people to run. Then my other “first” race after I got back into running this year was a 5K that I ran by myself, but my husband was there cheering me through the finish line.

    I also ran with my dad for his first race – a 5K this October. We beat my previous PR by over 2 minutes! Then my dad ran a 5K turkey trot and shaved another 4 minutes off of that! Go Dad! I wasn’t running that one with him because I was across the state spending the holiday with my inlaws, running an 8K turkey trot with my sister-in-law (her first race). I guess typing all this now, I’m realizing that I have a lot of “first race” stories!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 11, 2010, 3:01 pm

    Sounds like you had a great time! 🙂

    I’ve actually NEVER ran with someone. Not in a race or any of my training runs for my half coming up. It’s difficult at times, especially today since I had a bad run. I am still looking for an occasional running buddy where I go to school.

    However with that said, I am helping a friend get a qualifying time for the Gate River Run here in Jacksonville in March so I will be his pace leader for a 5k a week after my half marathon next month!

  • Kiran December 11, 2010, 3:03 pm

    You rocked your first 5K Diana! Congrats!!!
    Caitlin, cute antlers 😉

  • Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) December 11, 2010, 3:06 pm

    i ran my first race 5k with my momma! we do it every year now!

  • Amber K December 11, 2010, 3:19 pm

    I have never ran a race. But I totally gotta wear something like your antlers. I just think they are so cute. 🙂

  • Britney December 11, 2010, 3:35 pm

    My first race was a 2009 Turkey Trot. My whole family ran it, but my dad stayed with me the whole time – even though I walked most of it. 🙂

    I ran my friend’s first two races with her earlier this year. We stuck together for the first one, but the second one a week later she totally abandoned me to finish a few minutes ahead. 🙂 We’re doing a Jingle Bell Run together next Sunday – I need to see what sort of festive outfit I can put together for it (jingle bells for your sneakers come with the entry fee).

  • Keri December 11, 2010, 3:46 pm

    I LOVE that you ran with the reindeer antlers on! Sounds like it was a great time 😀

  • Baking 'n' Books December 11, 2010, 3:47 pm

    Great race ladies! Sounds like you had an awesome time! I’ve been out trying to battle the line-ups of Christmas. Not good. And I haven’t got any packages mailed out to family and it’s past the normal deadline, meaning now I’m going to have to pay through the nose for express!

  • Molly @fuelherup December 11, 2010, 4:00 pm

    Great race! Such cute antlers!

    My first race was in kindergarten. You would think it would be second nature by now, but pre-race jitters and terrrrible insomnia get me every time! Before races where I’m putting pressure on myself, I also have a tendency to cry the night before haha. But once you start running, the adrenaline can really drive you!

  • Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa December 11, 2010, 4:13 pm

    I ran my first race solo. It was lonely but I’m glad I did it, it felt terrific to finish. I ran my first race last July and today I ran my 5th! Since then I’ve ran with friends and other bloggers and have had a lot of fun but nothing beats a first race. Very special.

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations December 11, 2010, 4:14 pm

    Glad you had fun.

    And really, your antlers are fantastic!!! I love the car decoration where people have antlers and a Rudolph red nose on the front of the car.

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:06 am

      haha i love the antlers on cars, too! i just noticed them for the first time this year.

  • Sara (Running with Teaspoons) December 11, 2010, 4:44 pm

    It’s so awesome that you joined Diana for her very first race!! I ran my first two races (a 5k in September and a 10k in November) with my running buddy… but during the 5k she left me in the dust!! We stuck together throughout the 10k, though, which was awesome!

  • faith @ gracefulfitness December 11, 2010, 4:45 pm

    I ran my first 3 or 4 runs alone, not even someone to cheer me on at the finish! I don’t mind doing a race alone but it is fun to celebrate your accomplishment with others!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In December 11, 2010, 4:56 pm

    HOW GREAT for Diana!!
    My first race was a Jingle Jog 5k with my friend Molly last year!! We dressed up as gingerbread men and it was so fun.
    I’ve never run a first race with anyone else, but am hoping some of my girlfriends will want to do a 5k next year!

  • Sarra December 11, 2010, 5:03 pm

    Love this post, very motivational for me! 🙂 I actually just started training to run my first 5k everrrr, and I noticed that when I run for a long period of time, my left gets a little numb. I work out regularly and this only happens when I run. Do you have any idea what they may be?

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:04 am

      left foot?

      • Sarra December 12, 2010, 9:38 am

        ha…yeah left foot. sorry I didn’t catch the typo!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 10:23 am

      it might be your shoes or the way you are tying your shoes. check out this http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267–12334-0,00.html if that doesnt work i would go to a running store and get properly fitted for your shoes 🙂

      • Sarra December 12, 2010, 10:46 am

        that makes sense! thank yooou 🙂

  • Sarah December 11, 2010, 5:07 pm

    LOL at all those comments – it sounds like the atmosphere was great! I think it’s wonderful that you got to support someone on their first race. It must have really made you appreciate how far you’ve come, whilst also being away to pass some of what you learnt on to another person. And that sounds like a really good pace for a first time 5K race – Well done to Diana.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 11, 2010, 5:17 pm

    Congratulations! I love your antlers! I’m running a 5k tomorrow and I so want a pair!

  • Tanya @ Vegan Faith December 11, 2010, 5:39 pm

    Great job today! Sorry to be the squealing lady on the sidewalk…I just get so excited to see people I know in a crowd of strangers. Ask the crowd around me at the finish line…i squealed every time someone I know crossed the finish! My first race was a 5k and it was with my hubby! It was such a memorable and emotional event. We run the same 5k every year…it is always our goal to make sure we are staying active each year. I hope to continue the tradition even as we age and if we have children it will be cool to run as a family to instill fitness as a lifestyle at an early age.

  • megan December 11, 2010, 6:01 pm

    What a great race story! Congrats to you and Diana! I’ve run both my races by myself, first an 8-miler, then a half marathon. I kind of like the solitude of running. But next I want to run a marathon, and I’m thinking of joining a local running club to keep me motivated and make new friends!

    I also suffer from pre-race insomnia and it’s SO ANNOYING!! I ran my half on TWO hours of sleep and although I was really happy with my time, it would have been great to run rested. I would love to hear how people overcome pre-race insomnia. I’m thinking of doing a bunch of shorter races just to get used to doing them and hopefully sleeping better. If I run a marathon this year, I need a good night’s rest! How much did you sleep before Sphinx? You did awesome!!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:04 am

      I think I slept pretty well before Spinx actually. Well, I prob got like 6 hours of sleep?

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged December 11, 2010, 6:10 pm

    Thank you SO much for sharing this! I’ve been swearing and dying to enter a 5k but I’ve been so sheepish about my time (around 31-32 minutes). I’m working on speed when I can but I am having a hard time with it…now I’m starting to realize that it is just a wonderful accomplishment PERIOD, regardless of time. Congrats to all of you ladies!!!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:02 am

      You should totally do it – it’s hard to run 3.0 miles, no matter what the time. There is no time limit on greatness. 🙂

  • CarrieBeth December 11, 2010, 6:21 pm

    what a fun race!
    i ran my first race with my now-husband. we hadn’t been dating long and he was a big-time cross country runner in high school, so i was nervous. i ran it in 33:00 BUT i trained for a year, and ran the same race this year in 25:10!!!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:02 am

      wow! what an improvement. 🙂 that’s so awesome.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 11, 2010, 6:25 pm

    I haven’t run a real race yet, but I ran a Terry Fox 5K run this fall with my roommates. They’ve both done races before, so it was nice to have them with me!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit December 11, 2010, 7:29 pm

    I love that you didn’t care that people thought you were running the wrong way!
    I’ve never run a race with someone (unless you count high school cross-country race). I would like to, but I’m find running solo too 🙂

  • Maren December 11, 2010, 7:44 pm

    How fun! that is so awesome that you ran with Diana. So sweet of you! I ran my first 5k with my sister and my boyfriend (at the time) and he smoked me and I smoked my sister. So I basically ran it alone 🙂

  • Theodora December 11, 2010, 7:49 pm

    Ohh I will NEVER forget my first race. I ran a 5K with a coworker whom I had a MAJOR crush on. He’d run plenty of marathons, and I was in terrible shape at the time, but he stayed with me the entire time and kept me motivated! That race was HARD. I’ve done a few “first races” with other people, and it’s so much fun to watch them go through that experience and remember my “firsts.” It also reminds me how far I’ve come!

  • Emily December 11, 2010, 8:12 pm

    Sounds like a great first race! Mine was last Thanksgiving, a Turkey Trot Trail Run with my brother’s girlfriend, her sister, and their friend (who was the one who stuck by me the whole time). My third race was alone and in October I ran my boyfriends first non-highschool track 5k with him. Its so fun to run with friends.

  • claire December 11, 2010, 8:28 pm

    I did my first 5K last week. There was the option to do a run or a walk (to separate races) and I opted for the walk as my knee acts up when I run. I finished in 40:53 but had to stop SIX times to tie my shoe (finally double knotted) so I figure I actually would have finished around 40 minutes, which I think is okay for walking the whole time. Wish I could run but my knee kills! I was by myself but it was still a lot of fun!!!! I’d love to do more. 🙂 Congrats to Diana!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:01 am

      Congrats on your first 5K!!! How awesome.

  • Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy December 11, 2010, 8:48 pm

    Way to go Diana! And high five for urban living where you can walk to the race start 🙂

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss December 11, 2010, 8:50 pm

    Woohoo! Glad you all had an awesome race 🙂 And Love those antlers! They sure are stylin 😉

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life December 11, 2010, 9:04 pm

    The first race I ran was the Sedona 1/2 with the Husband. It was his first race too. We didn’t train properly, only three runs the week before the race and it kicked out butts! We had so much fun though and are excited to run it again in February!

  • G December 11, 2010, 10:07 pm

    You looked SUPER cute with the antlers!!! Glad you enjoyed the race!! 🙂

  • Megan December 11, 2010, 10:19 pm

    I love the antlers! It must be so nice to relax and enjoy a race.

    I ran my first 5K with my friend Meggin who helped to inspire me to start running. I had to stop and walk because of a side stitch about a mile in, but she walked with me and we had so much fun. Now, I’ve ran several 5Ks, an 8K (that I got 2nd in my age group in), and a half marathon. I’m going to pace her to get under two hours in the Disney Princess Half. We’re each other’s inspiration!

  • jenna December 11, 2010, 11:03 pm

    congrats on the race! loving the christmas spirit!

  • Lorin December 11, 2010, 11:40 pm

    My first race was in October but I have been active my whole life. My roommate was supposed to run it with me but she isn’t much of a runner so I did it myself. It was a Midnight Fun Run 5K that raised money for special olympics. It started with a huge hill and then downhill and some flats. I did it in 24:30!

    • Caitlin December 12, 2010, 9:00 am

      That’s an awesome PR!

  • Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone December 12, 2010, 1:10 am

    I ran my first race w a friend & a friend of a friend. That way I couldn’t psych myself out and back out of it. Now I think I could do a race alone. I’d just def need my ipod.

  • Sarah @ EatRunGarden December 12, 2010, 9:25 am

    sounds like you had a really nice race with friends. My first 5k and my first 10k I ran by myself, actually of the 7 races I have run I only ran one with someone I knew and she took off after the first mile. I was really nervous my first race, especially when we showed up and I saw people running I thought we had missed the start. They were just warming up but at that point I couldn’t imagine why anyone would run more than 3.1 miles, that was super far for me.

  • Vera December 12, 2010, 2:49 pm

    Congrats on your 5k with your friend, sounds like you had blast.

    Your reindeer antlers look so cute, love it. Yeah, you sure are fast! 🙂

  • Lindsey December 12, 2010, 5:14 pm

    Congrats on your race, to you and your friends! My first 5k I ran alone because I didn’t know anyone else who ran! It was the day after my 19th birthday and I had the flu but I did it 🙂 Can’t wear the T-shirt if you don’t run the race.

  • Rhona @ December 12, 2010, 5:36 pm

    I was expecting to run my first race alone (a 10k in May this year) but I knew other friends were running it as well. We all had different goals though so we were in different corrals. However just before the start I realised I was standing 5ft away from a very good friend (an experienced runner) who had decided to go a little slower which was a lovely surprise! We didn’t run side by side but we were close throughout the whole race; it really helped knowing she was close by. When I started to flake at 9k she passed me shouting encouragement and in the end we finished 7 seconds apart!
    I’ve never run with anyone since, but I’d like to have a friend running the same pace as me at my next race.

  • Jojo December 12, 2010, 6:00 pm

    My first ever race was a Turkey Trot 5k in 2008 and I ran that with my boyfriend (who is a marathoner & sacrificed trying to PR to run my first race with me). My first half marathon was run with my best friend by side. Those are 2 of my most precious memories with 2 of the most special people in my life!

  • Christal Espelage December 12, 2010, 9:03 pm

    My first race I ran with my husband (boyfriend at the time). We didn’t really run it together though because he’s a lot faster than me 🙂

  • suzy December 12, 2010, 10:46 pm

    I was googling for photos from Saturday’s Jingle Jog, and it brought me to this blogpost. When I saw the picture of you, I realized that my daughter (age 9) and I (40) ran behind you most of the way! It was the first race for both of us, as she was involved with Girls On the Run for the first time and I had just turned the big 4-0 and really wanted to try running. As we climbed the incline up to the water station, you overhead her complain about the hill, and you turned around and gave her some encouragement. Then, she took off and never looked back! Poor mama had to BOOK IT to catch up with her! 🙂 Coincidentally, I had also read your story in the newspaper this week about your post-it note, and had ripped it out to share with my daughter’s Girls On the Run coach. Wow, I think there is some serendipity in play! Anyway, this is a long way to say “thanks” for taking a moment from running with your friends to give some encouragement to a fellow runner, my daughter. If more people were willing to share small positive words when we encountered others, we’d all be much happier! By the way, we finished 3:45 – I am so proud of her! Good luck to you on Positivity Project grant!

    • suzy December 12, 2010, 10:47 pm

      oops – her time was 35:45!.

    • Caitlin December 13, 2010, 9:07 am

      Aw I love this comment! I remember your daughter. She is so sweet 🙂 I hope you guys had a blast! Keep running!! What a great thing to share between a mother and a daughter.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 13, 2010, 8:43 am

    I have only run 1 race, and I did it alone.

  • Rob Runs (Slowly) December 13, 2010, 9:49 am

    That looks like a lot of fun, congrats all! I’ve run most of my races solo – I started the marathon with two other girls but we ended up splitting up before mile 16. My last 5k I ran with my husband, he sacrificed his PR to drag me along to mine. It was kind of nice having someone to push or pull me along especially when working for a PR and not really feeling that I was going to make it that day.

  • Lacey @ Lake Life December 17, 2010, 2:46 pm

    Wow that takes a lot of guts to run a marathon course in the wrong direction while wearing antlers! You go girl 🙂

Healthy Tipping Point