One of the very first races I ever signed up for (something like 17 years ago!) was the Springtime Tallahassee race. If you aren't local, Springtime Tallahassee is a huge event that takes place around April that includes a parade and a whole bunch of vendors. Spring time here is just stunning, and everyone loves to be outside this time of year.
We run almost every year, some doing the 5k and some doing the 10k. This year Blake and I opted for the 5k. Our schedules have just not lined up to train for any longer of a distance, but 10k is usually my preference.
It's a tough course! Tallahassee is very hilly, and this route includes a steep one. But, it's also really scenic and begins & ends in Cascade park.
The weirdest thing happened to me on this day. We were walking from the car down to the start line, and when I went to take the first step in a warm up - my back seized. Nothing like that has ever happened to me! It was very painful, and I could not get in a full breath.
In fact, once we corralled, I stepped to the side because I just knew I wasn't going to be able to do it. At the last second, I decided to walk it and just see what happened. Well, a few minutes in, I realized it hurt to walk, it hurt to stand still, and it hurt to run. So, I might as well run. I eased into it, and ran the slowest I have ever ran. In fact, Blake was literally walking next to me as I struggled to run. 😂
But, once we got going, my back relaxed a bit, and I just kept running. Still slow - but I never stopped. It's actually the proudest I've ever been in a race because it was truly a challenge to keep it moving.
We celebrated with our free beer and banana, and watched my Pop get his award. He is something like 85 years old, so he always wins a prize for his age group (pretty sure he's the only one out there!). He walks it, but gosh do I hope I'm doing that good at 85!
-Kristen
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