Every year my co-workers put together a team for the Sun Run.  Back in the winter I had decided this was a good goal to push towards to kick start my fitness training.  So train I did - 3 x per week.  I went from not being able to run a whole minute to being able to run up to 40 (on a treadmill, less outside).  I was feeling pretty proud of myself, up until the race.  For some reason I decided to no go any training for over a week before the race - and come race day I was feeling a little unprepared.

Morning of the Sun Run.  Cold, windy, overcast and sprinkling.  It was miserable.  

Met up with Susannah (who works for a different company) at the start and we were trying desperately to keep warm while not keeping too many clothes that we would have to "throw away" or carry with us for our run.  It was over 45 minutes from the time the first people got to start the race until we got to go.  We didn't start the race together as I decided I needed a last minute bathroom break - it seemed like a good idea.

So it's my time to start.  I followed the crowd and off we go!  I crank the tunes on my iPod - first song "Eye of the Tiger" - Trying not to start off too fast or too slow, I set a pace for myself that was rather easy. I soon discover that running in a race is different than running by yourself.  Zig Zagging through the hordes of people going at all sorts of different paces - walking, jogging, running - in various group shapes and sizes - 2 to 6 people walking side by side across the road, walking in clusters, or single people - adds a lot of effort and distance to the run.  I have my gym tunes on my ipod to keep me motivated, but I am starting to get discouraged!! I don't seem to be gaining ground as quickly as anticipated, my lungs and legs are burning and people keep passing me!  Am I not running fast enough??

Hit the 1km mark and I think to myself "is that all??" I still have so far to go...

So it continues for the first few Kilometres. 

After the 5km mark I seem to have a little more energy, my legs are not as heavy and most of the people I see are walking. I have been continuing my run walk routine, my walks are getting a little longer, especially on the uphill portions.  I push on.

At the 9km mark I decide to try and run all out - I'm almost there!!  So I pick up speed, but the crowds are back and people are more tightly crowded together.  Trying to get around them is now almost impossible.  I find a small group of people running and tuck in behind them, they seem to be finding a path.

The finish line is a glorious sight.  I cross the line and feel a grand sense of accomplishment.  I can't quite believe I made it!!  At this point I only have a vague idea of how fast I was.   

After meeting up with Susannah and her husband (she arrived slightly before I did), as well as my sister - we parted ways and my sister and I headed off to the Brunch provided by my office for the runners.  OMG - bacon, eggs, eggs benny, french toast - it was all so tasty.  

Later I learned that my sun run time was 1:05:46.  I was thrilled.  I was aiming for 1:15:00 - and I surpassed this.  Back in November I could barely make it up a one block long hill, and I accomplished this.  I am very proud of myself.

No pictures for this post - sorry!!