^WHERE:  Sacramento, CA

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Today is a family affair.  We have our nieces and nephew (Jessica, Mariah & Daniel) with us and we all plan on racing.  The great thing about this race is that we get free entry into the Sacramento Zoo afterwards.

This 5K is literally a "fun run" and not a race.  It probably will be my last road race until the little babe is born.  I will push it a bit but will not let my heart rate go too high.  It's a huge blessing to be able to continue running through this pregnancy...thanks Jesus!

Ready, set, go!  I start in a huge group of runners.  It takes a bit to get some space and settle into a comfortable pace.  I'm wearing my compression pants and Troy's Fuel Belt for extra support and feel good so far.  Even so, I definitely feel and look pregnant now.

About 1/2 way into mile 1 my bladder is screaming at me. Yes, babies tend to press all their weight on that organ and it's feeling uncomfortable.  The good news is it's a short race!  Mile 1 is 8:58 and my heart rate is good.  I decide that this pace is good and focus on maintaining. 

We are weaving our way around William Land Park...one of Sacramento's prettiest parks.  As my bladder continues to bug me I try to focus on my surroundings.  Mile 2 is 9:00.  This pace is perfect!

Now I'm really looking forward to crossing the finish line.  There are tons of people around me to distract me from my slight discomfort.  I see some junior high runners struggling this last mile.  I encourage them and tell them it's less than 4 laps around a track.  As we get closer to the finish, I count down the laps for them.  I see Troy's friend from college Tracy Parrott running with her son whose doing a great job.  I say hi and we chat briefly. 

Mile 3 is 8:42.  I guess you can say I'm anticipating the finish line.  We round the corner and I see the finish.  My mind is tempted to push but my body knows better.  Baby and me cruise to the finish.  Yeah!

Now it's time for Troy's race.

Out of the house on time.  We've got Anna and her cousins, Daniel, Mariah, and Jessica.  Robin made good breakfast.  Did some work on the drive to Sacramento.  Robin does the 5k.  She does a little over 9 min/mi pace. There was 1500 people.  Robin had a great smile down the final stretch.  Wow.

Now it's my turn.  My foot has been getting better each week and I did 4 miles the other day.

Go!  My foot may feel better, or worse, during the race.  I leave it open either way.

Mile 1: 7:24.  That's a pretty fast mile after surgery 11 weeks ago.  But I can tell it's not going to be better.  It's not loosening up.  It's sore.  I slow it down.

Mile 2: 7:57.  I'm speed walking some now.  I stop and stretch.  Doesn't help.  Anna High-5's me on each loop.  I see Bill Whipple, a runner and friend from college.

Mile 3: 8:56.  I'm pretty far back.  I can tell Daniel is disappointed that I'm not leading the race.  I remain smiling and positive to show him the real victory is overcoming ones disadvantages.

Mile 4: 8:31.  It's a nice loop.  There's a good band which I take a moment to appreciate and then it's back to focusing on each step to keep the foot from hurting… or stopping when it does.  I want to quit but I know it would be a bad example for Daniel and the kids.

Mile 5: 8:46  Just one more mile.

Mile 6: 8:49.  I finish up in 52:16.  I met my goal of sub-9 pace.  I beat Robin's pace J  But tomorrow I won't be able to.  My doctor said I'll know when I did too much because the foot will hurt the next day.  Sure enough it hurt the next day.  My first set-back.

Anna & Jessica did the 220yd race.  A lot of kids!  Anna got scared & cried at ½ way and Jessica thought it was too short.  Still a good experience J

Mariah did the 440 yd race and did well.  She was happy about it.

Daniel did the 880 yd race.  He's very competitive and went for it.  He was about top 20 and did very well.  A girl won it.

We all had a great time enjoying our free entries to the Sacramento Zoo!  Then enjoyed a picnic on the grass.  We bumped into Kathryn and Chris Richards and their son, Anthony, who hit the baseball with Daniel and I.

This is a great family race for everyone.

Our Friend Hal Tacker Finishing

Daddy's done with his race now it's time for Jessica and I to run.  Mommy takes us over to the start.  There are so many kids here!  I'm so excited to be with them and Jessica!  I'm feeling like I don't need Mommy today.  I want to run this race by myself just like Jessica! Besides, Jessica will be with me. I tell Mommy "no, I do it".  "Are you sure?"  "Yes", I say.  But still mommy stays with us until the race starts. 

It's time to go!  I'm ready to do this!  The announcer says "go" and I go!  There are kids everywhere!  I keep my eyes on Jessica but she disappears into the crowd.  She's so fast! Oh no, I'm scared now!  I wish Mommy were here with me!  I keep running anyway and follow the kids in front of me.  I want Mommy!  I wish she where here.  I start to cry but I keep on going. I hope to see her at the end. Suddenly Mommy is by my side and takes my hand.  That feels better!

I feel like I can run happily again and I do!  There's the finish line!  There's Jessica!  Mommy and I finish strong and I give Jessica a hug.  Now, it's time to get a medal.  We walk to the big kids handing out medals.  Wow, these are so big!!  I wear my medal for a few minutes but it's too heavy.  "Here, Mommy, you carry it please"  That was a great race but I'm glad I'm done!  Now it's time to watch Mariah and Daniel race.

Jessica - She had a great race and ran fast.  She thought it was too short and easy but enjoyed getting the medal.  That means she's ready to go longer next year.

Mariah - She had a great race and ran hard.  When we saw her finish she had a smile on her face!  She ran fast too!

Daniel - He ran a great race too!  He ran a 1/2 mile which is a long way!

After the race we went to the Zoo and saw a lot of cool animals.  The Lions were my favorite!  Then we went to the park and had lunch.  We ran into Mommy and Daddy's friends, Katherine and Chris Richards, and their son, Anthony...who is a little older than me.  It was fun seeing them.  Anthony played baseball with Daniel.  He played good!