All I can say is WOW!
My race preparations started the night before with a Carb Din Din…most racers fill up on pasta but c’mon, I am Mari and I do things my way lol. So what did I have the night before my race???? PANCAKES!!!! Pumpkin Spice Pancakes with PB, Lite Syrup, and a Banana….yums!
I woke up today around 6ish and the nerves were getting the best of me; I was feeling anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time. Around 7ish my family came to pick me up and surprised me with the most amazing sign! I seriously have the best FAMILY!!!!!
We got to Washington Heights pretty early but it took us like 45 minutes to find parking.
They were still setting up when we arrived which just made me feel a little more anxious…
I took the opportunity to take a pictures with home fries…
As I waited around I saw JESS! It felt great to see a familiar face!
I parted ways with my family and walked to find my place, alllllllllll the way in the back lol. The nerves were turning into terror at this point; I described the feeling to the girl next to me, like you are waiting in line for a rollercoaster ride…you really want to go on it but there is a little part of you telling you “NO THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA” but once you are on the ride, you are happy that you went through with it….
We waited and waited….
After about what seemed like eternity…I was on my way…
I saw my family and blew them a kiss!
This is where things started to get interesting…I am not sure how many of you guys have ever been to Washington Heights but this place is KNOWN for its HILLS! Was I being too ambitious when I signed up for this race? Should I have waited for an easier course? it was too late! this is where I was and I had two choices, ENJOY IT or DREAD IT!? I ENJOYED IT!
Yes, I felt like my heart was going to pop out of chest when I was going up those hills but I pushed through…I listened to the bands playing and the people cheering and this was better than any cup of coffee! THIS gave me the energy that I needed…
As I was running, this guys finished first! He is AMAZING! Look at his form!
I looped around the park and knew I was half way there…run run run…2 mile sign was in my sight and it felt great…But damn ANOTHER hill! “Push it MARI, PUSH IT!”
Wait is that the finish line? OMG it is! It’s the finish line!!!!!
And just like that I completed my first 5K! I was filled with so much emotion that the tears started to roll down my face! And when I saw my family, I hugged them and cried. This race meant so much to me, not only because it was my first race but because I did it in honor my grandmother who passed away 2 years ago.
My mom, sis, and home fries were there to support me from start to finish.
My sister’s boyfriend came too!
This was such an amazing experience! ohhh I almost forgot my stats! lol…
Distance: 3.1 Miles
Net Time: 33.06
Pace/Mile: 10:40
Not to shabby for my first 5K (with all those damn hills lol)
Thank you for alllllll of your support and encouragement!
Namaste…
44 comments:
CONGRATS!!!!
That is so awesome, I knew you would rock it ;-)
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! You did awesome, Mari!!!!!!!!!! I knew you had it in you, tiger. The hills in Washington Heights are hard enough to walk up- major props to ya chica! So freaking proud of you I can't stop smiling!!!!!!!!!
Good Job on your first 5K!!!
It's so nice that your family was there to support you!
And awesome pictures. It took me there.
Aw this is awesome!! Congrats! I enjoyed hearing your story girl. I'm sure your grandma would be so proud.
AWW CONGRATS LOVE!! you did AWESOME! way to go!!!! now go eat a BIG THING OF ICE CREAM!
Congrats again! I'm so glad you spotted me in my big coat! Great race recap. I look forward to reading many many more!
The hills weren't so bad were they? That was a really fun race for your first one.
Great job! !!
MARI!!!! THAT IS SO AWESOME. I am bursting with pride right now. Your time is soOOOOOO amazingly awesome. I wish I could ahve been there!
Alright. Dinner. Dessert. Your choice. What's it gonna be?
And also. For some reason. In my head. I refer to you MARzipan. Which is a good thing. Because I love marzipan. Just thought I'd let you know.
Mari, congratulations! i read your blog all the time...awesome!! i too ran the coogan's race! i was excited to see that you were doing it...yes, the hills were a killer, but growing up there, I was prepared for it! keep it up...don't look back now! you are a RUNNER!! two thumbs up!
way to ROCK your first 5k!!! I'm going to re-read this the night before my first 5K in a lil under 6 weeks! :) awesome job!
Thank you everyone!!!!!
Marlene, do you have a blog???
Joey, I can't wait to hear about your 5K! I am sure you will rock it!!
Mari.....You are my hero!! I am so proud of you. Can't wait to congratulate you in person in 2 weeks :)
Congrats on finishing your first 5k! I am so proud of you! You did a great thing today!!
Nice job!! Set a goal and accomplish it. Well done. I hope to see you at many more races! My fiance just ran her first race this winter and plans to do more this year. She is inspired by your blog :)
I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!! KEEP UP THE HARD WORK BECAUSE ITS PAYING OFF!!GREAT JOB !
Yay on your first 5K!! I loved reading this post as Im running my first one this Saturday and am a ball of nervousness and excited all in one. Great timing and hope you have more to come!
I feel like my kid graduated from school or something. You look great- like an athlete and I'm so proud of you!!!
I love that your family was there to support you. Enjoy your runner's high, doll! You deserve it!
Yayayay! Congrats on your 1st 5K (just completed mine a couple of weeks ago so I so get it!)
You did FANTASTIC with those hills! Doesn't it feel wonderful to fulfill a dream! :)
Congratulations! I was thinking of you.
Hill can be a very unpleasant surprise...I ran a race last fall and had read that it was hilly. But it turned out to be mountainous! But I finished and was even more proud of myself for it.
My little sister ran 5K, I am choked with emotion. lol.
30 minutes, is pretty fast! It takes me that long to tie my laces.
yaaaaaaaaaa.. me so proud!! u did great! no joke, great! and yes u do have the bestest supporting cast as well.
Congrats!! You did amazing! That is such an awesome time..especially with all those hills! I can't wait to run my first too! You are def. motivation!
CONGRATS!!!! I am so proud of you!
GIRL! You did freakin' AWESOME!! I am so proud of you. You will always remember this one :)
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Meanwhile, back in Philly, your RD was drinking all night for a bachelorette party...and eating really bad food, AHHH!!
So..what's with the nickname titi??? I need to hear about that one...
Congrats again Mari, you're fantastic! Great post-race meal too ;)
Congratulations. I remember my first 5k about 3 years ago, at the age of 49! I love the energy of the crowds, on a Saturday morning. Keep up the good work, great time, and remember, just race against yourself, and enjoy the ride.
CONGRATS! you look so amazing, and did awesome! I am so so so proud of you...oh and of course love that pre run dinner! amazing, I would probably have teh same carb'ed up dinner!
Congrats. That totally kicks butt. Way to rock it out there.
*AWESOME TIME*
I am so proud of you! I wish I could have been there for you! You are a warrior and I hope to be right by your side for the next 5 K because I know you already want to do another one! LOL
Congrats!! I ran the Coogan's 5k on Sunday too! Oh my gosh, those hills were BRUTAL. I had NO clue that it'd be so rough. I may have shed a few tears on that last hill.
YEA - computer!!
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! YOU ROCK GIRL :) LOVE IT. And love those pancakes...;)...can't wait to keep reading about the next one right?
Luv ya still - trying to figure out my computer...hmmm...I've been thinking of just getting my own domain too ...is that really complicated though ?
WOOO HOOOOO!!! YAY YAY YAYY YAYYYY Mari Mari Mari the Incredible!
Boy and do you dress so stylish too! Hahah!
I'm proud of you, chica bonita!!
This post was awesome. I am in such awe of you. You have been through alot and have come out stronger than ever. I am so proud to call you my friend. You are truly an inspiration to all. Congrats.... Love ya Mari.
Way to go!!! That's awesome. I plan to do a 5k someday!
OH MY GOSH!!! YAY! I am so excited for you!!! :)
hey there-- the sauce is bottled. We got it from Wegman's and the brand is Starport foods. AMAZINGG. But keep water nearby :)
CONGRATS! That's incredible! Incredibly awesome :)
<3 jess
xoxo
Great job on the race! Congratulations, looks like a great time!
Congrats!!! not to shabby at all!
and of course you had to be stylish while running lol!
the next one we do together, please?!
=)
Congrats!!! Amazing job! You kicked that races ass...and took it's name.
Mari, I can't say enough about how proud I am of you and how awesome you are doing!
OMG great time!! Especially with hills. Isn't it a great feeling? That feeling at the finish is what makes running addicting, knowing all your hard work has paid off! I'm so proud of you :) Having family there totally makes it that much better too.
very nicely done. especially given the hills on your first 5k too!
Girl, I've been running like a headless chicken since Sunday's race hence why I'm now reading your report a million years later. I LOVE IT! I'm so happy that you had such a great intro to racing. And yes, you picked one hell of a course for your first race but you rocked it :) congrats again chica!
I'm guessing a 10K is in the works for you? Check out NYRR's Scotland Run [Apr 3rd]. It's one of my favorite races! Hope to see you there :)
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