Do I get a t-shirt for that?

So, last weekend was a busy one.

I really dislike starting a new sentence/paragraph/topic of discussion with "so". That's why I did it here; to make this point. I guess to me it feels like jumping to a conclusion or stating a consequence without first developing the argument. It's as if the speaker/writer has been having thoughts going on in his or her head and then all of a sudden, mid-thought, decides to include the audience. (I'll admit I'm guilty of both). I've noticed this lately, as in over the past few years. It's become part of our vernacular, like "if you will" and "per se". Seriously, how many people correctly use "per se"? I don't really even know what it means, but, trusting that my audience probably doesn't either, I throw it in every now and then.

If I were comfortable using "LOL", this is where I would insert it, as your clue that the preceding was intended to amuse. Don't be offended. Just be amused.

Last weekend was in fact busy. Once again, the powers that be scheduled the Knox County Corn Fest for the same weekend as John's birthday party. Between party-planning, party-preparations, parading, and actual partying, last weekend was, to say the least busy.

I think I'm finally recovered. Pretty close anyway.

Friday night, I regained custody of my sewing machine, which was fortunate, because I had to sew Thomas the Train flag pennant banners (modeled by Elijah in the previous blog post). I wasn't up too late, but I found it really hard to sleep because I was so nervous about the race the next morning. That's right, I ran in the Jerry Gudehus 5K at the Corn Fest Saturday morning.

Saturday morning dawned gray and rainy, but hey, I wasn't complaining, because we need the rain. Matt informed me that running in the rain was a sacrifice I should be more than happy to make for his bean crop. Anyway, this meant that I had to rethink my running wardrobe. I had planned on shorts. But, in the interest of not freezing, I decided to go with leggings, against my better fashion judgment. You see, I think leggings look great on other ladies, but I think they just tend to accentuate the length of my size 10 running shoes, which are, in fact necessary, for my size 10 feet.

I was very nervous; I ate a doughnut and half a banana, swigged some coffee, and chugged quite a bit of water, the breakfast of champions meets breakfast of tired mamas. I was pretty sure I was going to throw up. I know, I know, silly to be so nervous, but I was anyway. I was afraid I would come it dead last, which I knew was not logically possible as the event was a "run/walk" and I knew I would be able to run the whole thing. I kept reminding myself it would in fact be physically impossible for me to be dead last.

It did rain (gently, just sprinkles) the entire duration of the race, but I finished. I was careful not to go too fast at the start, because that's what all the running-advice websites caution against. This unfortunately resulted in over-caution and therefore over-slowness. I did not meet my time goal, but I came very close. My strategy for my next 5K?

Run faster.

A great strategy, right? Considering I haven't even run at all this week, due to exhaustion and the commencement of harvest, this strategy may not prove viable.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law ran with me.

"Do we get a t-shirt," she asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Sweet! Sign us up!" she replied.

And by "ran with me", I mean M.A. finished nearly 10 minutes ahead of me, and Greg was pretty close to me. I probably would never have been brave enough to attempt this without them being my partners in pain. And my boys were waiting there at the finish line, cheering for me. Matt reported that they were very impressed with their mama. At least John was, anyway, Patrick was just clapping because that's what Patrick does, especially if someone else is clapping.

And here is something else for your amusement: I medaled!

Done laughing yet? Yes, that's right, I got second in my age division.

In my age division. That phrase is key.

The competition is much tougher in the 30-39 age division than in the 20-29 age division. That means I've probably won my first and last racing medal, as I'm nearly no longer 29.

I was just thrilled that I was able to stick with my training regimen all summer (it was hot, and I had some pretty intense ankle/knee/hip pain from time to time). Plus, I acquired some sweet safety-cone-orange running shoes, and fashion is always fun.

I had decided at the beginning of the summer that I needed to do something to get out of the house, something to get some "me time". I decided I would either take up smoking or take up running. I decided running would be cheaper and healthier. I thought I might even lose a pound or two or ten.

And, while I haven't lost a single pound, I certainly feel healthier. I went from struggling to run for 60 seconds at a time (that was the beginning of my Couch-to-5K training protocol) to running for 30+ minutes at a time, so I'm pretty proud of that.

Saturday afternoon, I returned home, on jello legs to continue the party prep. But, since I could barely move, mostly I just rested until church that evening. By the time Mass had ended, I was at least regaining consciousness.

Back at home, staring glassy-eyed at my filthy kitchen floor, I twitched my nose and waved my magic wand, but nothing happened. Finally, Sunday morning I found my supermom cape and by noon, we were ready to party, Thomas style. Choo-choo!

P.S. I haven't managed to run even once this week, which is not good, as I'm running in a 5K to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand 10.2.11. I've blamed it on the fact that we've been busy with harvest, but I'm really, just.still.plain.worn.out. I'd like to sleep for a week. Or maybe, if PW would just sleep at night, I'd settle for that.