Sprinting to Spring

Hey everyone, it's been quite a while, hasn't it? For me to blog on here, that is. I really should make much more of an effort to keep you all updated on everything that's going on in our lives.

Did you know that we entered into the season of spring during this week? Supposedly we're entering a time of warmer temperatures, where the grass turns green again, and where the trees begin to put on leaves. I went out today, and, sure enough, our trees are getting ready to put out their buds and begin another season of growth.

Spring also means that race season starts around here. Once the likelihood of snow diminishes somewhat, our local running organizations decide that it's worth the risk to schedule a few runs. Even though we can get snow all the way into June here, the race calendar typically begins in March.

So today was my first "official" race of the year. It was a short little 5K, one sponsored by an organization that does outdoor adventures for handicapped people. So this morning, 9:00 found me toeing the start line in the crisp 30+ degree temperatures, ready to head out. The whistle blew, and we all (about 100 of us) took off.

This little 5K went through one of the local neighborhoods and wound back to the park where we started. There were several little uphill stretches, which always threaten the calves and thighs as you run. But since the race is only a little more than 3 miles, it's bearable. I managed to keep my legs churning, finishing up in a personal best 23:57 for a 5K.

We also got a T-shirt for participating. Here is a picture of me later on in the day with my fun little T-shirt. (Carrie calls it my little flowerhead shirt!)

Yes, that really is a person running with a flower for its head. Don't ask me why, but I still think it's pretty cool.

Once I updated my facebook status to say that I ran the race, I pretty quickly got an invitation to run another local 5K, this one coming up in the middle of April. I'm already signed up for one of the local half marathons, held later in August. But I enjoy getting out and running and helping out a good cause, so who knows, you might be hearing from quite a few more races this summer, provided the upcoming little one doesn't completely kill my running time!