#REALwomenmove

I don't want to write this post.

I don't want to relive the disappointment.

In fact, I wanted to call this post, 5K's Suck, but I just can't be that negative.

I am not one who is usually hard on herself, but today put me over the edge.

The Narrow River 5K is a local race, just a few miles away from where I live.  Part of this course I run daily.

This was my fourth year running.  Every year, I have had a course PR, but a sub 30 has alluded me at this race every year.

2012, 35:04

2013, 31:32

2014, 30:13

I was sure this was my year.  I woke up feeling good, but knew my allergies and asthma have been bothering me.  I got to the race early enough to do a 1.5 mile warm up.  I had about fifteen minutes before the race started and I still felt good.

My very good friend KB was running today.  I was happy to be with her but she has really improved on her running the last year and I knew she would be faster than me.  We wished each other well and the horn blew.

Right before the start.

I started out a little fast but was able to get it under control.  The weather was nice too. Not overly warm and cloudy. Nice to not have the sun beating down on me.  First mile, 9:29.

The second mile is where you hit the first hill but it's not really that bad. They also make you cross the street to the other side and there is a water stop. I didn't really need it but grabbed a cup and took a couple sips.  I felt like I was running well, but looked at my watch and saw a 10:xx so I sped up but it was too late. Second mile, 10:05.

I was sure I could still save this race.  I was running strong. There is a good down hill in the third mile that leads to an uphill but not a long one.  There was a water stop and I started fighting in my head about whether or not I need a sip.  Looking back, I didn't but I grabbed a cup, had one sip and tossed it.

Soon, I could see the finish.  I picked it up. when the clock started to come into sight, I saw a two but couldn't make out if it was attached to a 28 or 29 so I just ran.

As I got closer, I saw 29:xx and ran as fast as I could.  I finally made out the full clock and it said 29:56.  I literally started yelling, out loud, "Please, don't change!  "Please, don't change!"  It did.  My official time is 30:04. I crossed the finish line in tears. Gracie came out to run me in and I didn't even really notice.  I was so focused on the damn clock.  I missed a small opportunity to run with my girl.

My family and friends were at the finish.  My parents and kids came over to congratulate me, but I just started to cry more.  Mom hugged me till I calmed down.  It was so good that she was there.

How can I not be happy with these two cuties!

Fifth in my AG and twelfth female overall.

I have so many thoughts going through my head. So many emotions.   My last three races did not go as planed. But what I keep coming back to is the Skirt Sports new campaign, #REALwomenmove.  As an ambassador, I am supposed to blog about it but wasn't sure where to take it.  It became clear to me that this is the perfect blog post to mention it.  I am not the perfect size. I am not super fast. Sometimes I am hard on myself but I am real.  What you see is what you get.

This campaign is to celebrate all types of women no matter their age, size or speed.  Moms and grandmas.  Wives, daughters and grand-daughters.  Aunts and sisters.  Women who get out there and get it done and smile while doing it.

Here is the thing. I missed my goal.  No matter how much I go back and retrace every step, I still missed it and cannot change today.  But look at my track record. I have had a course PR at this race for four years in a row.  My 5K PR is 29:42.  I know it can be done, but for this race, it will have to be next year.

It's ok to be disappointed.  Cry, yell and throw things if you have to, but when you are done crying, pick yourself up and get back to it.  It's good to have goals and sometimes we reach them and sometimes it just takes a little more time, but we do eventually reach them.  Never, ever give up!

Be proud of you who are. Celebrate your accomplishments and learn from your mistakes.  Make every step count and enjoy your life.  Lift up your friends. Motivate and encourage them.  See, you never know who you are inspiring.

KB had a fantastic race. She placed third female overall and third in her age group. Tyra, another friend who raced today, place second female overall and second in her age group. I am so happy for both of them.  When I got home, I got a text from KB that brought me to tears, but her words touched me so that I could not let this one race ruin my day. She wrote:

"Nicole, I know you are dissapointed today but in the wake of my feeling great about my run today, you need to know that first and foremost I acknowledge you as my inspiration for even running at all.  Your journey as a runner (from couch to marathon) is truly amazing and I admire you so much! I think of you and your positive attitude and support of your friends every time I get out there and push myself.  You made me realize it is possible. You may not have beat 30 at this race, but you are my #1 inspiration all the time."

I had a similar message from Tyra.

"I thought of you all day! I completely get why you were upset.  I would have been exactly the same way.  I want you to know how amazing I think you are in all that you have accomplished and I was telling all my friends today at the race.  To do the half ironman and not even really being able to swim just blows me away. Your perseverance is over the top!"

Tyra missed her goal today too, so we have a date for next year to kick the you know what of the Narrow River 5K!

I have surrounded myself with some pretty amazing women and runners.  They are all a true example of #REALwomenmove and I learn from them every day.

Bottom line, I had a goal, I raced, I did my best and missed it.  I won't quit, I will just get better.

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole

P.S. How can you be involve in the #REALwomenmove campaign?  Post photos of you and your friends being active and include #REALwomenmove and #SkirtSports.  For every 5,000 hashtages, Skirt Sports will donate a Get Started Scholarship to a women who exhibits the traits I mentioned above.