I Ran (yes, really) in a Virtual Race

I got inspired by a friend's blog I follow, Taking It On, to run in her annual virtual race - Jingle Bell Hell. The requirements were simple: had to be at least 5k, be challenging, and I had to laugh at some point.

So first, the total mileage that I ran/walked: somewhere around 3.5+ miles. I walked probably about 1/4 of the time. This was 42 laps at our YMCA including warmup and cool down. Since the only real running I've done in a long time is the Jog-A-Thon at the kids' school in September, this was HARD. I have never called myself a "runner." My walking laps were spent panting, and towards the end, trying to keep my stomach calm. My "training" for this consisted of 3x/week Zumba classes and 2x/week weight lifting. Which is not the same thing as running. At all. I timed myself for an overall count of 35 laps (about 3 miles), and that took me 35 minutes. Not fast. At all.

 Yeah, I'm sure I looked somewhat like this. Except white. And take away all the muscles.

So, the laughing. I wish I could say that I laughed out loud. I didn't. I didn't have enough breath to. But I did smile and do a voiceless laugh more than once. The first was around lap 12. I was convinced that I was absolutely crazy for even attempting this. Was I even going to finish? I think some people as they saw my face wondered if I was going to pass out. I know it got flushed more than once. What really surprised me, though, was that by mile 3, breathing actually started to get a little easier. I couldn't get my legs to move much faster, but I wasn't dieing (as much) during my jogging laps. The walking laps got much worse instead. Second laugh was when I decided that I was done jogging. I totally did it! I did more than 3.5 miles in a total time of about 45 minutes. Hopefully I'll be able to walk tomorrow, but I did much more today than I thought I could. I may have to run again. (Did I just say that?)