So I ran another 5k tonight.  It was the annual Zeeland Zoom which I participated in last year as well.  It's a flat and fast course and tons of awesome runners and walkers come out for it.  Last year my time was a PR of 28:42.  I was super happy with that at the time.  Since then I haven't done a ton of 5k's as I've focused more on longer distances, but they are still fun to run sometimes.  I've done a couple free one's on Friday nights, but last week I didn't push hard at all so as to save myself for my long run on the weekend.  Tonight my plan was to push hard and make another personal best. 

It's hot tonight.  I'm going to start with that.  Last year it was a bit cooler, not sure exactly what it was but I remember being happy it wasn't super hot.  This year, it was near 90 degrees at the start.  Humidity is high.  Sun is super bright and hardly a cloud in the sky.  Perfect summer day, in my opinion.  Perfect racing weather.... not so much. 

So I got downtown and decided to jog a mile or so before the start.  I took it nice and easy and then walked into the community center to use the girls room before the race.  I met up with the Back to Health Chiropractic team that I was running with/for.  I'm a patient there and if you get one of their shirts for a donation, every time you race in that shirt and get your picture taken you're entered to win a massage!!!!  Yay for that!  So, I met up with the rest of the team and had our pictures taken and we walked around and stretched before the start.

I lined up and took off with the other runners.  I passed a lot of people.  I was running well and feeling great.  It was hot, but I knew I could keep going.  The second mile took forever!  I checked my time when I hit the mile 2 marker and noticed I was running really fast.  I was happy about that but nervous as well.  I didn't know if I had enough in the tank to last me through one more mile.  I pushed on.  There was a water station at about mile 2.5 and I had to drink and I even walked a few seconds to make sure I got some in my mouth and not down the front of my shirt.  I should have taken 2 cups!!!  But I pressed on.  My heartrate got really high after that.  I made myself slow just a bit and take some deep breaths.  I turned the corner and headed to the finish.

I crossed the line at 27:09 so I knew already that I had made a personal best, but later after my refreshments I saw the posting and it listed my time as 26:16:13!!!!  That's nearly 2.5 minutes faster than last year!!!  WOOHOO!!!!  I love racing.  I love pushing myself to see what I can do.  I realize I'm not the fastest runner out there, but I'm the fastest me ever and I'm super proud of that!  For anyone who doesn't think they can run, believe me, I used to be you.  Just two years ago.  From couch potato and chubby chick to runner... it CAN be done!  And I want to thank the P90X'ers as well... that program is pushing me harder than I ever thought I could be pushed and it's helping me in all aspects of my life, not just wellness and fitness but certainly there also. 

Never give up.  No excuses.  It was hot tonight and I could have just bagged it or run slow because of it.  I didn't.  I pushed.  I won.  I'm thrilled!!!!!!  Life is too freaking short for excuses!!!!!!  Be your personal best.... every day!