Running for Rachel 5k = Complete!

Yesterday was the Running for Rachel 5k that I participated in.  This was my first 5k event and I loved it!  It was cold (between 44-47 degrees outside!), overcast and a little breezy at times, but it was still a good day.  This was the first year for this particular 5k run and the last I heard there were AT LEAST 560 participants!  That is a great number for a first year! 

It had rained the night before so they had to move where the start line was to accomodate the participants.

Everyone ready at the Start line!

Unfortunately I am NOT in this picture :-(  These are the people who run fast! 

The race started on City Island and took us across the Walnut Street Bridge over the Susquehanna River.  It was very cool to look down through the bridge and see the river below you, but it also got a little scary because once I hit the middle of the bridge it was bouncing up and down because of all the people running across.  At first I didn't know what was happening but I thought I was going to pass out and I had just started the race!!  But then I saw a few people in front of me changing their steps and I figured out what was going on.  Once we got across the bridge we made a right and ran down a ramp to the sidewalk and steps right along the river.  

Down the ramp...

...and along the river!

I have never run along the Susquehanna River before but it was really nice looking out across the river, and it helped take my mind off the run.  We ran along the river for a while and then up a smaller ramp and onto the sidewalk by Front Street until we hit the half-way mark where we turned around and ran back the way we came.  The big ramp back up to the bridge was a bit tough after running almost 3 miles before it, but I made it up the ramp and back across the bridge.  One of the things I loved about the end of the race was that those who did not participate and those who had already finished were standing near the finish line cheering for EVERYONE running past.  It made running past that finish line even better than it already felt. 


Here are a few pictures of me nearing the finish line.

After the race they provided some refreshments like coffee, Turkey Hill Iced Teas, Nature Valley Granola Bars, UTZ potato chips and pretzels, and 6" Subway subs! Yummmm!


If you read my other post on the 5k you will know that my ONLY goal for this was to run the whole race without stopping.  Well I'll have you know I did just that!  I don't remember wanting to stop at all during the race, but then again when I run I have to talk to myself in my head to get where I want to go.  I did not have a time goal at all for this first race but I will remember my time for the next one.  I am proud to say that I finished my first 5k race in 31:07!  For those of you who know me, you know that I am NOT a runner by any means, but I am very proud to have finished my first 5k race without stopping in just over 31 minutes.


I am planning on finding a few more 5k races to run this year and I will continue to keep my goal of running it without stopping but the next one I will also have a goal to beat my time of 31:07.  For those of you who have never run a 5k (or any race for that matter) I highly suggest you do so!  I had a great time and it's always great to help out ANY charity.  They will not have a final participant number or money raise number for a few days, but I will update this post once I hear the final numbers!  


Congrats to everyone who participated in this run as well as Rachel's family for coordinating such a great event!

Here I am with the Finish Line later on!

**UPDATED**
The race results were posted today and I finished 255th with an "official" time of 31:11!  They only recorded just over 400 people (they stop recording at the finish line 45 minutes in so they could get the info ready for the awards ceremony), but there was well over 550 total participants.  I'd say that's not too shabby for my first event!