Well, I have to be honest here. I have been dreading writing this post. Only because I knew it would be my last one, as a "who wants to get active" challenge participant. The race was over 10 days ago if that gives you any idea on how much I've been procrastinating!

So..... here it goes.

Race day. April 18th. Chicago. 36 degrees. COLD!!!!!

Ok, I have to pause and think a little bit about what I want to say. I had so many emotions going through my head that morning.

Well, I made the necessary changes after my practice run. I actually purchased myself a pair of decen running pants, it had an elastic waist band, AND a drawstring. They were NOT going to fall off!. I was excited that my new pants were two sizes smaller than the old yoga pants that I had been training in. They were really awesome, so kind of dry-wick fabric, with "reflectors" near the calf, and even a zippered pocked on the back side to hold stuff.

We pulled in the parking lot early, like around 8:30, even though the race didn't start until 10. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going tobe late and "miss it", and I didn't know how long the packet pick up line was going to be.

It was such a "NO STRESS" atmosphere, I don't know what I had been worried about! Lots of happing smiling people milling around.

I got my number,( # 528) and my  'free race day t-shirt". I snapped a couple of photos of the grounds. Lots of tents set up, with different "vendors", like local Chicago radio stations, a cell phone company, etc.

Right in the middle of the park, there was a HUGE table set up with bananas and apples, and lots of tables with cups of water. There was a giant stage they were setting up, for the post race concert. Lots of media tents, and lots of porta-potties!!

I did my carb loading in the car at 8 a.m., so that it was 2 hours pre-race time. I opted for 1/2 of a bagel, and some strawberries. It was a chilly morning, so I had dressed with my running pants, with another pair of baggy sweat pants over the top. Then of course the running sports bra, the running shirt I bought with the I -pod pocket, and topped it off with a warm sweatshirt. Then when I got my race day "RUN FOR WATER"       t shirt, I put that on over the top, and pinned my number on the back of my shirt. I asked if it mattered where we pinned it, and the general response was as long as it was on, it didn't matter where you pinned it. Ok, I was good with that.

When I registered for the run, I had two options. The timed chip run, or the fun walk/run. Since I was on Team Walk it off, and had been primarily training at the walk. at the time of registration, I decided I better not "bite off more than I can chew", and opted to select the walk/run. When it was time to line up for the race, all the folks who were in the "timed chip" race got to line up first, and they all had these orange tags tied to their shoes. All of us "fun run" folks lined up at the back. When the race began, it seemed like "FOREVER" before I got to actually cross the start line, because I had to wait for all the "official race" participants to go first. Now I have a better understanding of why they had the chips. Time didn't start for them until they actually stepped over the start line. It was a good 30 seconds before I was able to actually start. So I should deduct that from my finish time (ha ha)

Well we were all crammed together, shoulder to shoulder. Folks of all different ages, shapes and sizes. The young and the old. Bridal parties! One girl  wearing  a "I'm the bride" t-shirt, and 4 or 5 others girls wearing "I'm a bridesmaid" shirts.  Even a mom pushing two kids in a double stroller. The youngest person I saw looked around the age of 8. I secretly hoped I wasn't going to be the last one across the finish line, and wished that I would be able to "pass" SOMEBODY!!

Well, off we went. You kinda get moved along with the crowd, and at the crowds pace. Everyone jockeying for position. Someone stepped on the back of my heel. I stepped on the back of someone else's heel.

Oops, just cut someone off because they were too slow. Yes, I realized at this time.... I was jogging, not walking! OK, lets see how long I can keep this up! I'll try to get to the one mile marker without stopping.

Jogging, jogging, jogging. Lots of "police" or "people in authority" roles wearing orange vest holding stop signs, trying to keep the anxious cars back. We are running along Lake Shore Drive. I'm so overwhelmed. The route had not been "closed off" for race day, so people are coming at me on their bikes, couples walking holding hands. HELLO!!! Do you NOT see that we are in the middle of a race here??!!!  Could you please get off the road, and in the grass, and out of my way??

I was glad that I wasn't wearing the I-POD. The thing had died in the car, apparently you have to charge them up once in a while! Good thing to know for next time.  There was so much going on. Cars honking, runners talking. "On your left!" yea, yea, go ahead and pass me. I know I'm slow.

Hey, where was that 1 mile marker? Shouldn't I be seeing it by now? How long have I been running? Oops, forgot to wear the pedometer. Don't have on my watch. Seems like I've been running for at least 20 minutes. Maybe they were wrong when they said they were going to have water stops, and time clocks at the mile markers. Oh well, I just kept going. Getting tired.Having a hard time breathing. Wait! What's that in the distance? Something glowing! Hey, its the time clock! So I must be close to the one mile marker!! Wait that means I haven't even run a mile yet??? But I AM DEAD!!! AAHHHHH!!!! Keep pushing. Get to the one mile, and then go ahead and walk. Why am I so tired? Ok, there is the clock. It probably says 20 minutes or so. WHAT!!!!! It says 11:24 ,  Did I read that correctly????  11:24 ???? I've NEVER run a mile in under 13 minutes. THAT'S WHY I AM SO TIRED !!!! I am going too fast!!, I am not used to this pace! I am trying to keep up with the "fun runners", and they are too fast for me. I've shave a minute and a half off my "normal time". Hey wait a minute. If I keep pushing, then I am going to make my goal of finishing in under 60 minutes!!! This is it. This is what you trained for. Isn't the old saying something like "no pain no gain!". DON'T WALK NOW!! Just keep pushing yourself.

ONWARD!!!

I kept pressing on. And on. Finally made it to the 2 mile marker. 23:24. WOW. That means I just ran the second mile in twelve minutes! I am so psyched. But I am about to hyperventilate. An d the  weird thing. ?  My legs were not tired. My arms were not tired. It was just my breathing! I was out of shape cardio-vascularly. I couldn't go on any further. I needed to walk. I had to walk. I did walk. I walked.

At first I was upset with myself. I can't believe I'm walking. Then some of Coach Jenny's words came in to my head. Hey, you are here to celebrate what you have accomplished for the past 8 weeks.

I've lost 16 pounds. I've dropped two sizes. I'm down 4 inches off my waist, and no longer have the "muffin top". I took two inches off my hips. I've dropped 4 points off my body mass. So what reason did I think I had at all, to be pissed off at myself that I was walking. NONE! I had nothing to prove to anyone. I walked for a couple of minutes, until I was able to breathe again and said to myself, ok, lets do this. Lets finish this up.

I began running again. Run, Run, Run. I got passed up by the lady pushing the two kids in the double stroller. I don't care. I have nothing to prove. I didn't come here to win the race. I came here to FINISH the race.

Just finish. Do your best. This race is all about me, and not about anybody else. This was my dream, my goal. Finish the race Kim, just finish the race. I slowly approached the 3 mile marker. 36 minutes something seconds. Wait, WHAT!!! 36 minutes something???? Why, I CAN FINISH THIS IN UNDER 45 MINUTES IF I REALLY PUSH FOR THE LAST 7/10th of the mile.

Dig down deep. Muster up any last bit of strength and determination and true grit, and what ever else and give it all you got.You've got 9 minutes to go the last 7/10ths of the mile.  Yes, that's it. Look out over the Lake. It's beautiful and serene. Don't worry about the sand all over the path. Keep going. Don't let the sand slow you down. Keep going. Wait! There is a big tent! That must be the finish! There it is GO KIM GO!!! Closer.... Closer!!!  What the?????? Its not the finish! Its a bicycle rental shop! UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Push on, don't get upset by the "false" finish line.

No one is around me. Everyone must have already finished. I truly must be the last one out here on the course. So what If I am.

Around the turn, around another bend. Wait! More Tents!! This time, lots of them. Music playing. People Cheering! Yes, this time, it is the finish! Keep going. There's' my husband taking pictures. There's my daughter yelling GO MOM!  Look at the clock!!!!! PUSH, PUSH!!! Yes, across the line! UNBELIEVABLE!!! The time on the clock was 44:06. I can't believe it 44:06 ! I had done it!  Not only had I finished in under my goal time of 60 minutes, but I finished in under 45 minutes! I was so thrilled! I wanted to collapse. My daughter was right there. Good Job MOM! Don't sit down.! Keep walking! All good advice. I was in this euphoric state. I felt so good! I was so happy to have finished in that unbelievable time . FOR ME!  Couch potato to 6 k in 44:06 in 8 weeks! I had done it. I HAD DONE IT!!!

Me in front of the concert stage (90 minutes before the race) Not too many people there yet.....

After catching my breath, and reveling the the fact that I thought I had done so well, I walked back over to the finish line. More people were still crossing the line. I had not been last. Lots of people were behind me . They kept trickling in for another 15 minutes or so. All the "true" walkers. Wow! Now I wished I had done the timed chip race! Now I was feeling empowered! Lets line it up and DO IT AGAIN!!!  The media crews were there. The concerts were about to start. A man went on stage." Attention, Attention! We need number 258 up on stage"    Oh Gosh! I think that's me? Isn't that my number? What are they calling me up on stage for? Do they want an interview? Do they know I'm an "ACTIVE.COM participant? Do they want to ask me about my training, and get my thoughts on the race? I look around for someone near me. "HEY" Can you check my number? (I had pinned it to my back!), Yeah,um,  you are number 528. YES! So it IS ME that they want. Again, the announcer says, "Can we get number 258 up here please? " oops, I'm 528, not 258!!! What an idiot I am.

258 gets on the stage. Its the winner of the race. They are giving her a medal or something. They announce her time.She finished in 22 minutes something.  She was already finished before I even hit the two mile marker!!! Well you know what!! SO WHAT!!

I had to remember, I wasn't racing against anyone. I needed to stop comparing. I had finished the race. That's what I came to do. FINISH. And I did.  IT WAS GLORIOUS!

The "blues" set it on Monday. Just like the big "let down" after Christmas. One day post race, and I already missed getting my email that said "today you are going to walk for 30 minutes at a RPE of 7-8. I missed knowing that I was going to blog about it. I missed everything. I missed my team mates that I never met! It took me several days to get out of my depressed state. I figured I needed to get back to walking, and get another race on the calendar. I'm eyeing something called a "Warrior Dash" that is coming up in June. I'm out of my post race blues, and am back to walking/running every day but Thursday and Sunday, just like before. But now I know I need to work on getting my cardio better. Lesson learned.

I jus want to finish my saying, to everyone at Active.com, to Michelle, to Coach Jenny, to my walk it off team mates Ruth, Jason and Megan,  Thank you so much for your encouragement, your support. You mean more to me than you can ever know. Thank you for this opportunity.

Until the next race.................

This is Kim, signing off. Remember to always WALK IN THE LIGHT. GOD'S LIGHT!

Well, the inevitable day arrived. I woke at 5am to make sure I was ready and not rushed. Grabbed my heart monitor, my ipod, and the directions to the event. Check in started at 6am but parking looked limited on the map and I wasn't sure where this race was taking place. I hopped in my car, drove lost for a few minutes, found the check-in booth, got my ankle timer and event number, and reparked my car. Okay, I had an hour and a half before it started so I walked the couple of blocks to the nearest Starbucks, ordered my Pike Place brew and a low-fat coffee cake. That's when I realized my wallet was still in my work bag at home. Opps! Darn I really wanted that warm cup of coffee before the race. It was still very chilly along the coast at that hour! The nice guys behind the counter said to go ahead and enjoy my treat. Wow! Humbly I thanked them and savored every drop. Okay, now it was time to warm up, stretch and get psyched. Back near the Check-In tent a massage business offered free stretching. That sounded cool, so I waited for my turn. I laid down on the massage table where he proceeded to pull my legs this way and that. Wow, I knew I was tight but he made me feel as if I would just snap!  I was coffeed up, loosened up and ready to go! Only there was still a half hour to wait. I noticed a group of people pointing at something in the water. Two harbor seals were playfully putting on a show for the crowd! I thought this couldn't get better. A beautiful morning, generous people and a spontaneous seal show. Then the announcer called us to line up. Since I had a hard time following my training routine, I knew I should stay toward the back with the people who were a bit slower. I was determined to run this thing but knew I had better not push myself too hard.

The race was on. I started with a slow and steady jog along the Elliot Bay trail. Okay, this was going well. Slow and steady. First marker states 1K. Great, I'm started to sweat but doing okay. Then the side cramp kicks in. I look at my heart rate monitor. Gee! 168bpm! I slowed down to a fast walk and waited until the side cramps resolved. Feeling better, I began jogging again. Good there's the 2K marker. Awww. The sculpture garden. I had heard about it a couple years ago but now I get to run past it. Keeping the pace, I reach the fountain and my turn around point. I checked my HR again. 174!! Wow, I'm outa shape.  I walked for a bit until it lowered. I didn't want to walk though. I signed up to run and that's what I intend to do! More that half way there, the side cramps returned. More walking. Now home stretch is within reach. The photographers lined up at the finish line, the large timer off to the side, it was thrilling to know I made it!

After downing some water and checking my time, I realized I didn't go as fast as I had hoped. But here's my perspective. This event was my baseline for the year. A starting point for moving forward. I did, after all, complete the race in 50 minutes and enjoyed the comradery of my fellow racers.My heart rate concerned me. I hadn't measured it during training so I didn't know where I was at. It was a wake up call. Although I'm a little overweight, I had no idea that my heart had to work that hard to keep me moving. It's enough to motivate me to continue seeking active lifestyle and set new goals for myself. I am proud of this accomplishment though. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't ask for a more scenic location. Slow and steady, I will get there!

Gwendolyn

Friday night I woke up with throbbing ears.  Oh, no!!!  I have a race and a Vegas vacation.  I can't be getting sick.  I couldn't go back to sleep, my ears hurt to much.  Saturday morning, I called my doctor and no luck.  They are open every other Saturday and this was not the Saturday.  I call my allergy doctor and no luck there.  They can't fit me in.  I keep thinking my ears will get better, but no luck.  They got worse and with no other option; I ended up in the emergency room on Saturday night.  Sure enough, I have 2 raging ear infections!!  I feel like I'm under water and can't hear very well, not to mention my ears are killing me with pain.  I said a little prayer Saturday night and set the alarm for bight and early Sunday.  My hubby joined me for the race.  When I started training, I ran a 12 minute mile and it killed me to run 4 miles.  Today was a little bit of a challenge, it was so muggy and my ears are still not back to normal.  However, I set a new goal this morning and I did it!!!  I finished the race in 39 minutes.  With an average mile of 10:45.  I'm so proud of myself.  On our way home, my hubby and I decided to run a 10K.  I know we can do it.  Hope everyone had a great run.  Now I'm off to Vegas.  What a great reward.  Viva Las Vegas!!!

of a whole new healthy, active lifestyle.  You've proved you can make the changes.  You proved you can train and get in shape. And you've proved you have the courage to toe-the-line and give it your best and finish the race.  Congratulations on all accounts WWTGA Teams.  You are winners in my book and have given life to countless people across the globe who followed your journey.  Thank you for putting yourself out there and giving us all hope.

Remember to take the time to cherish what crossing the finish line means. For me, it meant I could do what ever I set my mind to do.  I learned surrounding myself with other healthy like-minded people is the best way to stay fit and healthy.  And it gave me permission to tackle other challenges.  What does it mean to you?

It may look like the end of something great, but it is the start of your new journey forward.  You have the knowledge, the skills and the fitness to keep active.  I look forward to hearing from you in the future (you can find me on Facebook too).

Cherish this day...

Big hug and high five,

Coach Jenny

One of my goals as I entered this training program was to re-discover the joys of running that I knew as a child. On the eve of my first race as an adult, I like to think I've accomplished that and a whole lot more. While I'm not as fast as I was as a kid, I think I'm prepared to turn in a respectable time and I'm really looking forward to seeing where my results are in comparison to others in the race.

As a kid, I believed the hype and thought that to be fast, I had to buy the shoe that looked the fastest. My parents recently shared with me that I would often try to persuade them in purchasing a shoe for me using this logic. Well...that theory certainly went by the wayside as I got older. Only to be replaced with a theory in my teenage years as I bought into the hype that a certain energy drink would give me wings. Using that product was like the Wright Brothers in the early stages of their work... It certainly got me going, but the crash from the sugar high came quickly and rather abruptly.

So now, I've bought into the hype that is the Who Wants To Get Active training program. And I've seen the results that training can bring. I've lost 30 lbs. since the first of January. I've increased my mile time by a minute and a half. And I have thoroughly embraced running to the point where I'm beginning to wonder if what I'm feeling is what they call a runner's high. Just this last week, I started working as a part-time sales associate for a local running specialty store! While the learning curve with the new job is intense as I am beginning to comprehend the technology behind the products, this position and my participation in this program has allowed me to meet and surround myself with an incredible group of people with the same dedication and love for running.

But I truly realized that I have re-discovered the joys of running that I knew as a child, while I was doing some spring cleaning. Going through an old box that I picked up from my parents, I saw what I thought was just a ratty- old headband. As a child of the 80s, I made a lot of fashion statements with those sweaty headbands. But this one in particular... it was special. Because this one...came with my own set of wings!  This was a headband that I wore a lot as a kid, and it's an awesome reminder that what I'm doing is helping me find that joy and freedom of running I felt many times as a kid. I've brought along this special headband for tomorrow's race, but I'm not sure the world is ready for a 31-year-old sporting a child's headband with wings!

So all along... I didn't need the fastest looking shoe. I didn't need the latest energy drink. I just needed a little push with my training, and now with my new (old) wings, I'm ready to fly around the course tomorrow! So thank you to Coach Jenny, the folks at Active.com, and my fellow participants for the motivation I needed to get me going on this incredible journey.

Hello everyone,

I wanted to blog one last time before tomorrow. I am going to blog after the race too. I am excited about tomorrow. I really wanted to be able to run the FULL 3.7 miles without stopping. Unfortunately, my knee will not allow me to do so. I went to physical therapy yesterday. My physical therapist just told me to run/walk the entire time. She said if you are going to walk the full 3.7 miles she said just walk it all. I am really looking forward to tomorrow. I am waking up around 4am and leaving around 5am. I know the race starts at 8:30 but you have to be there by 7 (I am telling myself). It should take me about two hours to get there. I have my cloths ready to go with my running shoes. Today I am spending most of the day (studying) cause I have a huge biochemistry exam on Monday. I did not work out today. I am only planning on getting stretched out really well tonight.

I am excited about tomorrow everyone. I am trying to get one of my friends to come watch me run and I know there is going to be a few of us at the LA race for active. I am excited to see you all. I might be biting my nails or doing something.

thank you all for your time. Michelle, thank you again for allowing me to be apart of this. I really liked it. I had a family here to talk too. It was really nice. I love to blog and ramble on and on and I was able to do so here.

THANK YOU ALLL!!!!!

The time is here in 2 days!  Packet pick up here in Houston tomorrow.  The international festival is going on, I did not know if these were tied together but it's pretty cool anyhow.  Congratulations to all!  Especially "Team walk it off", ya'll rock!  Have a great day!

Jason

So I took Coach Jenny's advice, and today was my "practice race day" . I decided whatever happens... happens. And I'm glad it happened, because now  I know what I need to change before Sunday!

I got up at 6 a.m. (regular time) got dressed, put on my "race day" shirt and my Zumba yoga pants. (yeah.... still haven't bought a pair of running pants....) Put on a good pair of athletic socks, and laced up my ankle brace for my left ankle. Put the orthotics in the running shoes, pulled my hair back in an elastic hair band. Applied the triple action antipersperant/deodorant for the active person! (learned that one early one)

At 7 a.m.,I  drank my  slimfast "meal replacement" strawberries and cream protein shake. Grabbed my pedometer, a bottled water and then realized it was a school day! Where did I think I was going? Then  yelled "KIDS COME ONE, You're going to be late for school!!!!)

Yeah, hello, today was only Tuesday. Can't get a real good "simulated race" on a school day. SO......... piled everyone up in the car.... Drove the high schooler to school first, make a quick stop at the McDonalds drive thru since I hadn't made anyone breakfast. (yeah, I know.... bad mom, right? Too busy thinking about myself this a.m., kinda forgot I still needed to do my "mom duties"!

Got the first child dropped off at high school. Oops, the second one needs a school lunch. Quick stop back to the house. Made the lunch for the middle schooler. Fortunately, this was NOT my week to drive the carpool to the 2nd child's school, and I was just finishing putting pretzels in the lunch box when his ride showed up. WHEEWWW.

Ok, check the time. 8:30, time to get the 3rd child off to shool. OK, nice day outside, she wants to ride bikes to school. Yep, lets do it.! Get the third child at school and settled, and make my way back home. Put the bike in the gararage, check the time. 9 a.m.  RATS! I was supposed to eat something high carb two hours before race time at 10. Went to the internet, google searched high carb foods. Printed off the list. Checked to see what I had in the fridge. Checked the nutrition label on the bagel. 51 grams of carbs. WOW, no wonder I stopped eating bagels! Ok, I'll have one half of the bagel, with peanut butter on it. Double checked : do I have the pedometer? yep. Do I have the I-POD? yep. Sunglasses? yep. Shoes tied with double bows? Yep. OK, drink a little more water, one last visit to the bathroom, and drive to the South Loop trail, and stretch out and be ready to start at 10. So far so good, with the exception that I only had one hour not two to digest the "carbs".

Ok, parked the car. What do I do with this big wad of car keys? Can't leave the car unlocked, purse inside. HHmmm, ok, take  the door lock/unlock remote off the keychain and put it in a pocket. Oops, no pockets!!

Plan B? Hey, how about stringing it on to the pedometer? Unhook the safety clip from the pedometer, string the car remote on it, put the safety clip back on, and hook FIRMLY to my yoga pants. OK. Any other hurdles?

Oh, hey, what about a phone? No place to put it. Leave it in the car. Not going to run with it on Sunday anyway. Water bottle? Take one more sip, just a little one, and leave in the car for when I get back . Roll windows down in car so water isn't too hot.

Next? Ok what do I do with the i-pod? Again, "NO POCKETS!" HHmmm... Lets see, ear plugs go in the ears, L must be for left, R would then be for right. . Stick it in my waist band? Yeah, lets go with that.

Time to stretch. Bend, stretch, arm circles,  OOPS! There goes the ipod down my pants! OK, so waist band was NOT a good idea. Next thought? uh, yeah, lets try tucking it down my shirt, strategically placing it inside my sports bra. OK, little cold at first, but yes I can deal with this. Just shove all the cords in the bra too! Ok, almost 10 a.m. . Get a move on, get over to the starting line ( in this case.... a wooden pole that says "RED LOOP BEGINS HERE. Followed with another sign  " red loop 2.4 miles". Ok so, knowing the trail is marked every 1/2 mile, If I run the whole loop, and then continue on a second time around, going to the 1/2 mile marker and back, that would give me 3.4 miles total. Just short of the 3.7, but close enough for today.

OK, check the time again. 2 minutes til start time. Take a deep breath. I can do this . I CAN  do this. I CAN DO THIS!!!!!    And............ GO

Ok, I'm off! Right at 10 a.m.   Feeling good.  Tunes are playing, arms are swaying. yes, I'm doing it. THIS IS THE  "practice" REAL THING! ! GO KIM! Ok, encountering lady walking her dog. That dog better not sniff me. I hate when dogs sniff me. Ok, lady pulled dog off to side of trail. Thanks Lady!  Ok, man running really fast. Wow, he must be like a marathon guy. MORE POWER TO YOU MARATHON DUDE! Ouch, left ankle hurting a little bit. Ankle brace laced up too tight. Not going to stop to loosen and re-tie. Just deal with it. Try to ignore it. Maybe it will loosen on its own. Focus.

Ok, feeling pretty good. Weather is a little windy, getting blown around a little, but no too bad. Music is pumping, thinking I'm going to move up my pace from Fast Walk to Slow Jog. Here goes..... yep, slow jog, feeling good. Stepping in rythym with the songs my son put on the play list for me. Thanks PJ! You did a good job with the song choice! Black Eyed Peas are making me move!!! BOOM BOOM POW!  Uh, problem here.... yoga.... pants..... not....staying.... up !...... Pants... slipping.... down.... !!!   Down..... by.... my...... hips!!!!!!!....... Quick, pull them up, look around, make sure no body saw. Man smiling. Hi "Man". Hope you didn't see anything you weren't supposed to!!   Try again..... jog jog jog jog jog..... pants slipping down down down. Past the hips this time....... Slip the hand around the back side, try to figure out how much is hanging out...... OK, part of a "crack". Not good. OK, this is "race day" ..... Cant stop. Can't go back to the car. Can't go home and change. Press on, keep moving forward. You don't any of these people, hopefully no one has a camera.

How come all that is coming to mind is that song "Pants on the ground, Pants on the ground, Looking like a fool with your pants on the ground"? UH, thats because YEAH!!! I am looking really stupid  here, I'm approaching the 1/2 mile marker, and my pants are falling off!

Ok, now I shall digress. Part of me wants to be SO ECSTATIC that I've lost enough weight, that my clothes are literally slipping right off of me! Yet, the other part of me is thinking how am I going to finish this race while I'm holding my pants up? Especially since I am only at the 1/2 mile marker? Light bulb moment needed.... ok, you've got the pedometer, it has a clip. Fold 2 inches of the waist band over to one side, and clip it together with the pedometer. Nope, doesn't work. Too thick. Keep running while holding up your pants until you think of something. hhmmmmm. nothing else coming to me. Look way out in front. Anyone coming? No.

Turn around, anyone one behind you? Nope. Hey, how about this? There are actually TWO clips on the pedometer. One is the clip of the pedometer itself, then there is the leash attached to it, with its own safety clip.

Gather up the waist band.... put the safety clip on. Now stretch, stretch .....STRETCH!!  Clip the pedometer part  to the waist band as far away as possible, using the pedometer and the safety clasp as a belt!  This Just Might Work! Keep jogging. Big hill. Ok, walk. Flat path again, pick up the jogging. yes, made it to the 1 mile marker. Pants have drifted down a little bit, but not to the point where I am "mooning" anyone. Ok, keep going. Just keep going. Seeing the 1 and 1/2 mile marker.

OH, Hey! I'ts Marathon Man again! WOW, did he just do that whole loop? Very impressive. Starting to get tired. Ok, just focus. Try to keep jogging til you make it to that tree. Good. Now push on, try to make it to that bridge. Ok, keep breathing. Try to make it to grass land. ....... just can't go ..... any..... further!!!.... Tired. Need to walk. WALK. Its okay to walk. But walk faster. Brisk walk. OK, better. Experiencing "cotton mouth". No water. Left it in car. Would probably cramp up anyway. Breathing heavy through the mouth. Try to breath in through the nose. Not getting enough air. Back to "mouth breathing".

There is the two mile marker. That means just 4/10 ths of a mile to go to finish the  2.4 mile loop. Start jogging. Pretend its a finish line. Thats it. Pretend you see people cheering you on. Listen to the Black Eyed Peas singing.  OOO WHHOOO. TONIGHTS GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT! Yes, cross the finish line!!! (ok, again, just a wooden pole that says Red Loop ends here) Now turn around, Start on the Blue loop, go out 1/2 mile, then come back. Do whatever you can. Walk a few steps..... start jogging...... yeah, try to keep going...... nope, going back to the brisk walk. Ok. Push it! Stop being a wimp. JOG! yes, JOG! OK. Started jogging. still jogging, still jogging. Seeing the .5 mile marker. Wow, that means actually 2.9. Keep going, turn around, now finish strong. Jog this whole last 1/2 mile. Jog. Thats it. I want to quit. NO! Look, theres your husband! There's your daughter! They are cheering for you (yes, this is just in my mind.... but they will be there on Sunday)  Look! There's a camera crew ! They are filming this for the evening news! Pull your pants up, keep breathing, keep moving foward. Don't worry that Marathon Man has just blown by you again. There is the finish! You can do it! Keep Going KIM!!!!!!!    YES!!!!!   YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three point four miles. 3.4 yep 3.4 Quick, check the pedometer. Time? 46 minutes! Wow? Is that good? Who knows. Who cares? Does the time really matter? Isn't what's important that I finished!!!!! YES I FINISHED!

My goal for this Sunday's Run for Water  is to finish the 3.7 in under 60 minutes, and based on my trial run today, I think I can do it! Just keep smiling, and thinking about that song Pants on the Ground. Mainly, just keep smiling!