Lone Star 5k Recap

I did it!!
I completed my first 5k on Saturday!!!

Despite a tough course

{2/3 of which were uphill}
and an unexpected fibromyalgia flare up,

I finished in 36 minutes and 44 seconds. 
{ I finished with the first half of the 5k runners, so that made me happy!}
My goal was to finish around 30 minutes, but given the circumstances, I'm proud of how well I ran.

I've been asked on more than one occasion what it is like during a fibromyalgia flare up- so I will do my best to describe it to you. Each flare up is unique and different and I can never fully prepare or anticipate how I will feel during each one. This particular flare up effected my energy levels more so than it did my muscles. It would be as if I was running my race while having mono. I had very little energy going into my race, so I knew that I would not be running as well as I have been during my training. And given that I have been training hard for the last couple of months, naturally, I was in a disheartened mood stepping up to the starting line.

And then came the hills...

Y'all... I was not expecting hills to make up the majority of the course.
I was running in a pack of some very fit college students, and they were struggling- which made me feel better- so this may provide some insight into how difficult this course was. So throw a tough running course on top of a fibromyalgia flare up and you get a grumpy runner struggling with all her might just to finish.

What got me through the race was knowing that my family was awaiting me at the finish line.
As soon as I spotted Hayden and Rylan in the distance-waving their arms and cheering- something happened that I did not expect. I suddenly had enough strength to finish strong. I kicked it into high gear and finished the last leg of the race at a sprint. I wanted to show my sons that even when you feel like giving up and throwing in the towel, it is important to finish strong.

Even though I did not meet my 5k goal, I will not let it distract and deter me from my ultimate goal- the half marathon in October. After a couple of days off I plan to get back out there and keep training. I will make some adjustments to my workout routines which will hopefully help me prevent another flare up from happening again on race day.

Each race is a learning experience.
It's important to take what happens-learn from it-make adjustments as needed- and get back out there.

And despite all that went wrong in my race... I really did have a good time!
Greg and I are now addicted to running and we're already in search for another race before the half :)
So stay tuned!