Life's a race, and sometimes you come in last.

When I first decided 9 weeks ago that I was going to run the HNI 5K, I visualized a race much different than I ended up with today. I visualized tying on my running shoes, putting on my iPod, and running with my sister by my side, probably coming in at the end of the running pack, but crossing the finish line with my husband and kids greeting me at the finish line.

What I got was a race quite different. It was almost laughable how many things went wrong. After training delays, injuries, and a week of feeling sick I was unable to complete my running training in time to run the race. John and Mom had to work, so the kids had to come with me. Courtney still came with me and even brought the hubs with her as an added bonus. I got out the jogging stroller so we could put both kids in it, but found out when I went to air up the tire at the gas station that the tube is bad and won't hold air. Had to use the umbrella stroller for Amelia and Thomas rode in the baby carrier strapped to Jason. We got the race 5 minutes before it started and didn't even have a chance to stretch. Right as the gun went off Amelia decided that I needed to take that moment and put her sunblock on her. Needless to say, it wasn't a very promising start and we never could make up the time or distance behind our closest competition--an old woman walking about 100 yards ahead of us.

For the record, we didn't come in dead last. There was a group of 3 women behind us. And I did sneak a few feet ahead of Courtney so I could say I beat her across the finish line. :) So not dead last, but we came in 103rd and 104th respectively. We got our medals. I gave mine to Amelia because I think she deserved it more than I did. In fact, she's sitting on the couch still wearing it. It has a shiny silver ribbon and she thought it was beautiful. I'm planning on actually earning mine next year when I RUN it. That medal I will keep for myself. Until then, I'll just keep plugging away at my training and try not look at today as a complete failure. Goal NOT accomplished, just delayed a little.