I had my very first race on Saturday December 6th The Jingle Bell Run. The race was started at the RiverPlex in Peoria Illinois, went down Adams street, hit back up on a trail back up to the RiverPlex. This was the first time i had run outside, i think the last time was with my dog Abby. I don't remember when that was. The Jingle Bell Run was fun. I have learned allot and am looking forward to another race.
My time running the Jingle Bell 5k run was not good at all. I am recovering from the couch, and it shows. I meet a very nice lady on the run that encouraged me to keep up with her. She named me Mr. Potato, to which i thought was funny. I stayed with her until close to the end of the race. She challenged me to not let her beat me. It was so cool. My best friends came back to find me, and they cheered me on till the end of the race. I see them as being my parents and their support was priceless.
The Jingle Bell Run/Walk raises money to fund research, education and government advocacy of arthritis, the country's leading cause of disability. The Jingle Bell Run/Walk in Peoria Illinois was able to raise about $55,000. The race could have been organized a little better. I did not like standing out in the cold as the national anthem was sung. It was cold and i wanted to get going. But it was really cool close to the end of the song a large majority of the crowd started singing and the cheers went up. Then all of a sudden the mass of people started to move quickly forward, it was then that i realized the race was on. The course for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk was pretty much flat. So if you want a good flat race the Jingle Bell in Peoria is the race for you.
I look forward to my next race. I am not sure where or when it will be, but i have been bitten by the bug, now i want to train and race even more.