My First Mother's Day Sun Run

5 -6 months ago I decided that I needed to have another goal around my exercise. Last summer I started running as a way to help me in my endeavor to lose my baby weight. Once I hit my weight loss goal I knew that I needed to have something else to help me in my motivation to keep running. I decided that I would train to run in the Vancouver Sun Run 10km Race. I remember when I told Jamie that I wanted to run in the Sun Run I think he was a bit surprised and a bit skeptical that I would actually follow through with this goal. I don't think that he doubted that I could do it but that with having two boys, working and keeping up with everything else that I would actually have the time or make the time to get myself ready enough to achieve this goal.

Yesterday morning I woke up bright and early and my dear friend, Sharlyn, drove me into Vancouver for the race. The race started at 9am however because there was over 51,000 people racing they have to split you into different groups that start in intervals. I was registered in the white groups which means that I said I could finish the race in under 75 minutes. My goal was to finish in under an hour however I knew with so many people and with the struggles I was having with my foot that it might not be attainable this time around.

Earlier in the week when I was running I hurt my foot. I went to the doctor and he sent me for an x-ray to see if I had a stress fracture. It turned out my foot was fine so I took the rest of the week to rest up. By the time Sunday came my foot felt fine. It was such a beautiful day for the run. There was hardly any clouds in the sky which made it very hot in some sections of the race. It met a girl, Claire, who was running the race for the first time as well and so we stuck together for most of the race. It was really neat to meet someone for the first time and connect in such a way that we could help push one another to keep going when it got tough. We did not end up finishing together as I had to walk for a bit as my foot started to give me some trouble.

Around 7-8km my foot started to bother me and so I decided I would walk a bit to see if it would help. I was really struggling mentally as I really wanted to keep running but at the same time I didn't want to make my foot worse. As I was walking I realized that I truly did want to finish the race running so I started running again. My foot stopped hurting for the end of the race so I was able to push myself and finish the race the way I wanted. It was great to have Jamie, the boys and Dave and Doris there cheering me on at the finish. Doris actually found me in the seas of people and got some great shots. I am smack in the middle of the picture above in all black. The lady next to me seemed to be struggling so I decided to encourage her to finish strong and she immediately perked up and wanted to sprint to the finish; so that is exactly what we did. It was such a neat experience. You are in a sea of people trying to achieve the same goal of finishing and there seems to be a bond that connects you together. It was such a great experience.

Once I crossed the finish line we were herded into an area with water and tents of snacks. I actually ran into Jamie's teaching partner, Lauren, who had just finished as well. I was able to phone Jamie to let him know where I was so that we could meet up. It was great to share this experience with my boys and on Mother's Day. My official time was 67 minutes! I placed 17,421 out of over 51,000! For my first race I think that is pretty good.
After the race we all went out for lunch to Las Margaritas' and the went to the Aquarium. It was such a wonderful way to spend my Mother's Day. My boys cheering me on to the finish line and then spending the rest of the day enjoying watching them stand in awe of the sharks and sea turtles and yelling in excitement at the dolphins as they jumped in the air. I hope that this will only be the first of many more races to come.....