Run for the Zoo

Today was the day. I set a goal at the beginning of the year that I wanted to run a 5k. I picked the run for the zoo. We are members of the biopark society and go to the zoo a lot, also I wanted it to be warm and the first weekend of May worked with Matt's schedule.

Well, warm it was not. When we start the race it was about 37 degrees with 10-20 mph winds with gusts up to 40mph. Not exactly ideal for this fair weather runner. Bundled up in three layers, I was one of hundreds running the 5k times race.

We ran into Marcos while we were there. He was doing a different race than me.
About to start.
The starting line. The line of people went down the street a long ways and all the way across. It was pretty crazy.
There is Samantha, Matt's intern at SCAGA.

The run is beginning. Trying to find enough space to run. Poor Matt had to suffer through the wind. He had a hard time finding a spot to take pictures of me without getting other people in the shots.There is Samantha finishing up.

There I am heading towards the finish line. Running with the wind in you face makes the last bit of the race pretty tough.
Finishing up.

I finished in 34:51. I am so pleased with that time, I run on treadmills most of the time so dealing with the elements was definitely a challenge. This was my first ever race of any kind. (also as an inexperienced runner....my shoe came untied and I had to stop and tie it about 1 1/2 miles in). I felt so accomplished by finishing and running the whole race!

Matt and I loved the experience so much that we are hoping to participate in the Run for the Zoo every year in some capacity....just hoping for better weather next year!