Candlelight 5K

Last night I ran the Candlelight 5K. Jeff and I arrived very, very early to meet my family and the No Boundaries folks. It was a first - being 3 hours early for a race. We picked up our numbers (815 for me, 816 for him), our bags, shirts and chips and headed to the car. While we were picking up numbers I saw a familiar face - the lady I met on Monday at the LSAT who had not studied at all! She also said that she had not done anything to prepare for the 5K, so it must be some sick, twisted pattern with her. Next up - jumping from an airplane without a parachute. Anyway, on the way back to the car, we ran into Mom and Francis. Howard and the rest of his gang arrived shortly afterwards. We attempted to set up some chairs and relax before the race, but we were politely asked to move off of the private property grass. We mainly stood around with the family talking and catching up. The 1 mile fun run was to start at 8 and they had some light jazzercise-type exercise before it. Breanna and TJ were going to run the 1 mile and both seemed excited to do it. They lined up at the start with Howard and off they went. Jeff and I ran into Justin and Allison and got to hear his take on Vermont (he loved it!) and we did some more marathon talk. I saw Breanna coming up the hill, slowing to a walk. I cheered her on and encouraged her to finish it strong. Then came TJ, in a fast walk. I knew they both would finish. We went and told them good job and got ready to line up ourselves for a 9:00 pm start. The course would go in front of Hubbell Lighting, and come back up by the ICAR campus. The entire way was lit by luminaries. Before lining up, we got some easy yoga poses to help stretch us out. We then moved our way to the start line. Candace and I lined up together and I looked around and saw some of the No Boundaries participants. I wished them good luck, told them they were ready and then we were off. The first mile was mainly downhill and involved dodging a lot of people. I did get to see Jeff coming up the other side and give him a Way to Go! I knew he had a terrible weekend with a migraine Friday night and was hoping he did well. Mile 2 started up some hills. I just dug in and continued on my way. Candace was right beside me the entire time and though we never talk, I think we both gain some added motivation from each other. I thought Mile 2 seemed especially long, but probably because it consisted mainly of hills. Oddly enough, the hills didn't seem to bother me as much as they have in the past. Maybe there is something to this running more than once a week stuff. Mile 3 came on a slight downhill portion. You could hear the cheering and music from the finish line. Candance dropped back for a brief moment and then she was right back with me. As we came to toward the finish line, she looked at me and yelled, "Push it" and we both kicked it into high gear. It felt great to have that strength at the end. I finished in 34:39, far from a PR but continuing to get stronger. I found Jeff and Howard and they had both done great. Francis came in shortly behind me. Mom, Tracy and the girls were next. We waited around for the awards to be called. I knew that Francis did pretty much the same time he did last year, so was hoping he would get another award. I was not disappointed and got an extra special bonus - not only did he get one, but Mom got one as well. She was so funny walking up to get it! I'm so proud of not only where Jeff and I have come in the past year and a half, but sharing that with my family and seeing them take the same journey is wonderful. I am just so blessed!