I’d say, “Don’t ask me how I did it,” but I’m well aware of how. Starting off a race way too fast, and knowing it, and deciding, “Ah, what the heck; it’s only a 5K!” may be a recipe for a personal best time, but it’s also a good way to get a stitch in your side that persists over the entire second half of the race.
I didn’t slow down anyway. 
I finished the race in 24:44, Garmin-time (the chip times aren’t up on the website yet). EDIT: My chip time was 24:44 – go, Garmin accuracy! And I was 11th in my age group, 253rd overall! That’s about a minute and a half off my previous PR at the Steve’s Encore race. I got helped along not only by my stubborn idiocy, but by better organization this year; instead of having a giant, slow-moving herd of people starting all at once, they had signs for mile pace times, so people could start at the appropriate spot in the crowd. Neato! Perhaps, though, it should have been a sign for me of what my body was intending when I lined up well ahead of any pace I’ve ever maintained in a 5K before now.
It was, again, a powerful experience. Seeing the various teams lined up, under the banner of “Team Jessie” or “For Grandma Marie” was enough that I was tearing up before I’d even warmed up. But it was such a positive thing, seeing everybody come together in the name of fighting to beat this thing that reaches out for so very many women and men every year.
The slogan for the event is “Someday, this will only be a race.” Days like today, with the vision of that crowd still hanging in my head, I can truly believe it.
(whoo hoo! i am so impressed with you, girl!)
Good for you!
I know what you mean about being teary eyed before you even start. I was the same way at the Alzheimer’s Walk last year.
That is an awesome time! Congratulations. I ran my first half-marathon today, here in Toronto, after being inspired by you to start running. My four friends and I all finished NOT LAST (I ran about 2:16) and we had a great time. One of the best things is how proud my 6-year old daughter is of me; all our kids are so proud and took turns wearing our finishers’ medals.. and three of our first grade daughters joined the cross-country running team at school and qualified for the local meet. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Congrats.
Carrie!!!!! girl, you look so fabulous! what an inspiration you are! I wanted to come check on you after way too long, and you’ve totally transformed! huge congrats to you hon!!!
just a couple weeks ago I decided to change myself (I don’t want to ‘look good for having 6 kids’, I want to look just plain good! LOL) and have enjoyed my first couple of weeks.
your success gives me another thing to look forward to! WTG!!!!
I had to do a double take…’who is THAT girl and what is she doing on Carrie’s site’…oh, wait a minute…that IS CARRIE….WHOA…..you look TERRIFIC…I’m soooo proud of you…God HAS blessed you, love, JOY
That’s GREAT! And btw you look smokin’!!!!!!!!!!!