The Liberty by the Lake 5K is one of those races that I'll probably always do. It holds a special place in my heart because it is a long standing tradition in my little 'burb and it was the first race I ever ran back on July 4, 2008. I thought that it would be fun to run 5Ks, but I had no interest of going any further. My goal was to run the whole time and I did! It took me about 34 minutes, I was wearing a cotton shirt and some bad shoes. I was so darned proud of myself though, and I was undoubtedly hooked. I had no idea what a life changer that day would be though and I always smile a little bit looking back at it all. This race was also the first place that I ever placed in my age group, I earned a small eagle trophy and I think that I carried it around in my purse for a solid week.
In 2011 one of my most favorite holiday traditions was born as we hosted the first annual Waffle Party. The idea for the Waffle Party came about as a group of us were standing around after a trail run, trying to plan another time to get together again. A plan emerged: run the race and then everyone would head over to our place and Mr K would serve up waffles and bacon. Life, Liberty, and Waffles is a highlight on our summer calendar and I have defined it as my "Running Thanksgiving" as it gives me a chance to look around at all of the frunner faces filling out home.
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| Pre-race with Fred, Marci, and Mark O (Pic: Mark O) |
There was a very small group of us at the race itself as I think that most people have wised up and just head directly to the house for brunch instead of dealing with a race that starts at 8:00 am in Texas July. I can't say that I blame them, but like I said, this is a sentimental favorite so I will probably always run it. I was nervous heading over because 5Ks are just so darned hard. There is no cruising or "all day pace" you just gotta hit it hard! I wasn't sure how it would go either as I have not done any real speed work since sometime in May. I parked just under a mile away from the start so that I could get a good warm-up before the race started.
I probably started a little too far back, but it also might have helped me pace my first mile a little bit too. We took a left at the elementary school and the sign out front said that it was 86 degrees....okay then, it is going to be
that kind of race. I was very pleased to see the first mile come up at 8:11 - keep on going! The race is largely through a neighborhood and folks are so nice to come out and cheer for everyone. Some are even cool enough to turn on their water sprinklers, now if we could only get a few more trees through there. The second mile came in at 8:01 - could I hang on for the "last one, fast one?" I was trying my best! I love to see that turn back towards the park because I know that we are getting close to the end. Mile 3 came in at 8:00 - hooray for negative splits! My total time was 25:26, good enough for 1st out of 39 in my age group.
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I returned from the race to a house full of friends and the smell of bacon! I think that Mr K served up 10 lbs of bacon and a mountain of waffles. We sure have some hungry friends because all of it was gone by the end of the day. It all seems to go by in a blur, so quickly! I love looking around to see a house full of friends that feel like family (and some "real" family too!).
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| One of my favorite scenes (Pic: Mark O) |
I always try to take a moment to think of all that running has brought me over the last eight years. It isn't always easy and those alarm clocks go off so darned early, but I take the good with the bad because it has brought all of these amazing friends into my life. This group of people is constantly pushing me to take new challenges and be a stronger, better person. All because I signed up for a race...
