Race Day

1:00 a.m. : I realize that I am having a really hard time sleeping due to pre-race anticipation. It was a travesty really, all three kids actually slept soundly through the night and I was awake. The whole night.

3:37 a.m. : I contemplate taking a Unisom to help me sleep but figure it's too late now and it would probably make me sluggish for the race.

3:40 a.m. I fret about the Unisom. I really can't sleep but decide not to take it.

4:00 a.m. Still fretting. Now I'm remembering that I have to drive Aaron's car to the race so he can bring the boys in the minivan. It's an '82 Fiat. Stick-shift obviously.
Do I remember how to drive a stick?

4:13 a.m. What if I've forgotten how to drive a stick? What if I stall out at every light from here to there and am late and don't pick up my bib and I miss the start of the race...and I'm really tired because I've been pushing a stalled car...

5:11 a.m. Get up to check the dryer. I have to make sure my freshly laundered jogging attire has been adequately dried. I go check the iPod to make sure it's charged.

5:14 a.m. Try to relax and go back to sleep. Unsuccessful on both attempts.

6:35 a.m. I wake up (yes, *wake* up. Looks like I actually fell asleep for an hour!) to the baby crying. I'm up for good.

7:15 a.m. Eat breakfast

8:20 a.m. Leave for the race. Nervously go out to the Fiat...can't remember which key it is.... Having difficulty moving the seat forward...notice little guide on the top of the shifter has been worn away...

8:35 a.m. Arrive in one piece at race locale, grateful that my stick-shift anxiety was completely unfounded.

8:52 a.m. Eight minutes before the race. Do I need to go to the bathroom? I think I might need to go to the bathroom. It wouldn't hurt. I look and see the line for the ladies room is 26 ladies long.

8:53 a.m. I get in line. Do I really have to go? I'm not sure. Am I going to miss the 9 o'clock start because I am in line for the bathroom? All these ladies look like they're running the 5K (which starts later), should I just ask to cut in front of all of them to go before the 10K starts? Mild panic sets in.

8:56 a.m. The line is moving quickly. I'm almost to the front. I haven't heard the gunshot, that's a good sign. Mentally prepare to sprint out of line over to the 10K starting crowd.

8:58 a.m. Ah. I have successfully passed through the eternal woman's restroom line and was indeed able to use the facilities. That's much better. I take my place in the back of the pack. I realize the iPod didn't sync when I plugged it in last night and so I don't have any access to the new music I bought yesterday just for the race. I want to cry.

9:00 a.m. Ready, Set, Go!

I proceed to jog my guts out.

10:05 (and change) a.m. : I cross the finish line. In front of everyone...

...who started way in the back of the pack with me.
I ran my fastest 10K time. (yes people. I am that slow. 1 hour and 5 minutes was a good 10 minutes faster than my last non-race attempt) I always tout how I don't care about my running times but plop me down in the middle of a bunch of people who are mildly faster than me and apparently I do care. I'm thinking the no sleep thing actually helped. The crazy level was raised just a smidge.
My cheering section might have helped a little bit too!
Overall, I had a great time. There will definitely be more 10K's to run in the near future, but then I'm on to the half-marathon in August. (Aaah- August. That sounds so far away...)