Conster - way to go!!!!  Running all the way in that wind is a heck of an accomplishment.  Very cool about the meadowlark.  Their song is so pretty.  I love that you enjoyed it and saw it as a symbol.

Runninugly -

I've had the exact same experience with my Garmin. I've slowed down to keep my HR in the training range I've wanted and I've progressed so much faster. I'm now a committed "run to the perceived effort" group.

Theconster - I don't recall if I have ever apologized to volunteers for being last.  I do, however, sometimes let them know that I either am or think I am the last person to through;  that way they know they can pack up their portion of the volunteer stations.  A lot of times the finish line is packed up before I get there.  I don't mind that, as long as the electronic mat is still there.  As far as not dressing properly for the run, I did that a few weeks ago when I did the OKC half.  Unfortunately you just have to deal with it.  I will be better prepared the next time, and I will also check the weather reports more closely.  My hands were cold as well, and it took a while for them to warm up.  Also, like you, I did not have a chance to figure out the route before I did it, but fortunately they had the course marked really well.  I don't know how many participants you had in your event, but in smaller events, it is always good to know the route beforehand, in case you end up being out there by yourself, and all of the volunteers have left (which has happened to me).  Regarding seeing animals on the route - I was once doing a triathlon and had gotten to the last part, which was the run.  I was my usual slow self, and had slowed down to a walk when a turtle crossed my path.  I thought that was some kind of a weird sign letting me know I was slow.  Good thing I was walking at that point, because if I was running, I may not have seen the turtle and may have run over him.  Maybe we can meet sometime halfway in Lincoln or Omaha and do a run together.

I will not be doing any official runs for awhile, since I am in the midst of the Corporate Challenge competition.  I have already done the 5k and bike race.  Next up is the track meet, and I am scheduled to do the 100 meter, 400 meter, 800 meter, and mile runs at a local high school track.  The bad thing about doing a track meet is that everyone can see how slow you are going around the track, and they always have to wait for me a long time to finish before they can start the next group.  I am also scheduled to do the swimming events (same deal there - slow, last, they have to wait on me to start the next group).  But my job always begs me to do these events, because it is hard to find people in my age group to do it.  I don't know which, if any of these events I will actually be able to do, due to my work schedule and other things.

I came across a quote the other day that I thought would be appropriate for this group - "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

Mamabear, that was so wonderful that your family helped with the sandbags - our hearts go out to those affected by the flooding.  All for a good cause and probably just as much exercise as that run you would have done.  All that good karma will make your next runs that much better.

Congratulations Emma!  Great race from my view.  I'm still mostly walking and just 5k at that.  You are doing really great!

Great job mamabear!  Although I would have run further and faster after seeing that bear .

The flower sounds pretty though!

I began running in February.  It didn't take me long to learn that am a walker only.  Running seems to make everything hurt.  I just finished walking my second 5K.  Right now my time is about 16:2 mph.  My plan is to continue walking until I can easily do 5 fifteen-minute miles, and then maybe I will try adding a few short running intervals, depending upon how my body reacts.  I will also be adding some strength-training activities that will hopefully help my back and joints. I have registered for a 10K in October as an incentive to keep training.  Between now and then, I plan to walk a 5K every month.

Tink - I actually walked quite a bit after seeing the bear because I was afraid if it saw me running it would trigger a chase instinct or it would think I was prey of some kind.  Plus I stopped and picked up a big stick and packed it for a bit.  Lastly, I was yelling "Hey Bear" every little ways so I wouldn't surprise it.  Gotta love living in NW MT.  The flower is the state flower and it is beautiful.  Small, delicate, purple flower that really does look kind of like a ladies pretty shoe.  Grows in wet, cool areas and only see them in the spring of the year.  A poitty break was the reason I found this one.