There was actually a 5K race set to start at 9AM, and the 10K at 10AM. Runners were encouraged to try doing both. I toyed with the idea briefly, but didn't think I was up to it with only 2 months of consistent running under my belt - maybe next year! Since I run on the treadmill 99% of the time, I was ecstatic when I had previously discovered a group of people that get out and run on Saturday mornings - mostly ladies and at my pace of between 10-11 minutes per mile. I had gone on a 6 mile run with them the Saturday before this race - so 1) I knew that I could actually do it (hence the reason I signed up for the 10K instead of the 5K), and 2) it gave me a chance to run in the cold and I knew that my running gear would be okay for the race and I wouldn't freeze to death or sweat to death with too many layers.

I had on a pair of Danskin Now Women's Performance Leggings recently purchased from Wal-mart (EXCELLENT for us tall ladies, and those of us bootyliciously endowed), a tech-tee from my 1st 5K (and the only one I own), plus an orange light-weight sweater I stole from the boy-toy who bought it at EMS Sports a few years ago. Also a hat/ beenie I also stole from the boy-toy and my red Christmas gloves ... clearly I need some winter running gear. My running shoes are the Addidas Climacool Chill that I bought a few weeks ago - they rock!

This was a very small race (probably no more than 50 people total) with all the runners gathering and chatting in a cabin prior to the start of the races. The route started off by a pond and headed out the park, across the highway and onto some country roads. I passed by farms with sheep, horses and cows. It was just like a good old fashioned run in the country and I loved every minute of it ... even though I bitched and complained bitterly about the 2 loo-oong hills going and coming back. Those bad boys had to be a mile long each, and I had to walk for about 2 minutes on my way back. All the time I was muttering to myself to suck it up and keep going!

The last mile of the race seemed to take forever! I walked one more time for about 1 minute, but I saw that there were people 1 or 2 minutes behind me and I didn't want them overtaking me. That's the fuel that drove me to keep going to the end. I'm not happy about the walking breaks, but I am thrilled that not once did the thought of quitting enter my mind (funny that in my previous race - a 5 miler - I was ready to give up a few times).

Overall, this was such a great experience. I hope they have this race again next year because I for one will be there - and I might even try doing both the 5K and 10K next time around. But next up - my first experience with volunteering at a race, and running a 5 mile Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day.

Oh - and my first drink from my "Awards glass" - a mixture of wine and Mountain Dew - classy!