K-Life 5k.... CHECK!

So on Saturday, Sara Ann ran our first training-affiliated 5k, and I wasn't last!! While I'm not completely dissatisfied with my 39 minute time, I most definitely could've done better. This 5k taught me exactly what not to do for future races. I shall now share these little pearls of wisdom with you, so that you can not look like a complete moron (because I'm pretty sure I did).

• DRESS APPROPRIATELY. While I am kind and considerate to those behind me and thus wore shorts that fulfilled their destiny and actually covered my ass, I was completely ignorant of the fact that it was almost 60 degrees out. This would normally be no big deal, except for the fact that I decided to change into my Under Armor Cold Gear because the run was at 5PM and I was just sure that it would be cool by then. I knew my choice to wear my ninja gear was a completely horrid one when I got a little warm just walking around. By the time I was actually moving, I felt like I'd just bathed in jalapeño juice and was seriously considering taking my beloved Under Armor off and running in my sports bra. There were lots of cops directing traffic, though, so I decided to just wear the damn shirt and keep chugging. By the time I was approaching the finish, approximately 99% of my fluids had decided to abandon ship through my pores because even they knew that I was a dumbass for wearing my Cold Gear. Sara Ann was waiting for me (because I'm pretty sure she runs about a two second mile) and after we grabbed some nomsies (whoever thought to bring Chick-Fil-A to the end of a running event is my new best friend) we headed back to my car. My car is a beautiful color called "salsa red". Coincidentally, my face was also salsa red. LESSON: Check the weather forecast, or better yet, go outside. You should be chilly before you get started. If not, you will be salsa red, like my car. Or these words. It will not be pleasant.

• EAT ENOUGH THE DAY OF.My newfound running abilities (meaning my ability to do it, albeit not necessarily quickly) have sent my metabolism through the roof. I eat quite a bit, but am still managing to lose weight, which is one of the more enjoyable parts of this experience. On Saturday, I ate a bowl of cereal before I taught my Zumba class, ate a chicken salad sandwich after Zumba, and didn't eat anything else for fear of revisiting it once I was running. Stupid, stupid, stupid decision. I'm really not sure how I finished in under 40 minutes, because between the lack of food and the excess of clothing, I was freaking dying. I walked more than I would have liked to (zero walking would have been lovely. I've done it before, dammit), which means I must have been beasting... That's the only logical explanation, of course. After the race I nabbed some nuggets and an apple and then ate (whole wheat) shells and (low-fat) cheese for dinner. Yummy. Had to make up for lost calories, you know. LESSON: The Chick-Fil-A cow would tell you to eat some more chicken, but chicken just doesn't cut it sometimes. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl, but I made this green so you'd be inclined to go eat some veggies. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!!! (And if your metabolism is beasting, maybe a little dessert, too.)

• LOOK AT THE RACE COURSE. So while I was hungry, sweaty, and just be-bopping along, I kept looking to my Nike+ for exactly how much longer I had left. That was grand and dandy, until it stopped working at about 2.6 miles. I use the Nike+ App on my iPhone, because my SportBand broke and my Garmin had trouble syncing with the satellites or something like that; when I say it stopped working, not only did it throw a hissy fit, it took my iTunes down with it. After muttering a few choice words, I kept running because I could see where we started, and I assumed that after we entered the stadium area (it was at the high school) I'd be done. What no one told me was that the race course included a lap around the track... What the hell?? Anyone who knows me knows that I'm NOT okay with my course/plan being altered. I don't like it at all. If I know what's coming, I can manage, but two things I don't take well to are altering traditions and changing things last minute. Heebie jeebies ensue. LESSON: When there are course maps available, look at them. Just do it. People need mental preparedness in order to face horrible things. Tracks are horrible things. You don't believe me? Just keep reminding yourself that you have to run around the damn thing four times to log a mile. 

But, alas, I finished (with a salsa red and probably pissed off look on my face), nowhere near last, and in under 40 minutes. Savanna: 1, Running: 0.

Sara Ann (right) and I post-5k!