It was less than one month ago, October 4th, that I participated in my very first 5k, the Insane Inflatable at UMASS Dartmouth.

I had so much fun with that race, that when I got home that night I decided to sign up for another 5k! The one I chose was the Providence Monster Dash. It looked like fun, a 5k in a Halloween costume and I even got my husband to sign up and run with me.

My husband didn't do the Insane Inflatable with me, so this would be his very first 5k. We picked costumes the night before the race, he got a cheeseburger costume and I (surprise, surprise!) got a kitty costume. On Sunday morning, we got costumed up and drove to Providence for the race.  When we arrived, we found the designated registration area, got our bibs and got ready to run!

The race was at 11am, and it was all throughout Downtown Providence. I have trouble running for long periods of time, because I have asthma, but I tried to pace myself and started jogging slowly to see how far I could get. I mostly walked, and walked, and walked and walked, but I walked fast! My husband wanted to run, so he left me in his dust about halfway through the race. The only part of the race I was dreading was the tunnel, it was supposed to be filled with "zombies" and "monsters" trying to scare the runners as they jogged through. I'm a total weenie, so I was crossing my fingers that the monsters and zombies would leave me alone, thankfully they did.

It's frustrating to do a 5k and not be able to run the whole thing, so I felt myself getting aggravated and wanting to quit because I was having trouble breathing. I didn't know where to go if I did decide to quit, and I knew I'd regret that decision, so I just kept on walking fast. Finally, I made it to the finish line with a time of 48 minutes and 16 seconds. My one goal yesterday was to not come in last place, so goal accomplished!  The thing with 5k's and exercise in general I'm finding, it's addicting!  As hard it can be sometimes, the end result is worth it, a big ol' sense of accomplishment, knowing I did it and also got a great workout at the same time!  So, when's the next 5k everyone?  I'm in!

TSM/Loren Petisce
TSM/Loren Petisce
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