Baby's First 5K

that's right I, Vanessa Reid, ran my first 5K race last Sunday. Those of you who don't know me well may say "Big deal, running 5K is about as difficult as dropping a stubborn deuce in the morning". Those of you who are rather closer to me understand that this is somewhat of a feat for me. Up until about 6 months ago, my personal philosophy on running was "I don't run unless I'm being chased." I ran the race without said motivation, although I may have finished quicker if there were some kind of threat behind me besides the screaming children (motivation enough!!).

How did I come to this personal victory? Enter my running guru, Carol. Yes, she is the same Carol that appears in almost all of my blog entries. Perhaps 1 year ago she started training for a 5K race in Gwangju (the Pink Ribbon run for titties). She started meeting up with and running races with a group of girls who live in Mokpo. A few times I accompanied her to races in order to snap her photo at the end. Finally I realised how ridiculous that I was not participating in this new sisterhood. I started doing interval training last winter ,then promptly went on vacation and forgot all about it. The beaches of Bali will do that. Once March rolled around and school started up, I pepped myself for really going for it this time. Two months later I finally made it to a race (missed my first one due to a scheduling conflict...what can I say...I'm poopular!). I'm very proud to say that I ran (*ahem* jogged) the entire course with out a walk break and finished in 34 minutes. beside a man who could've been my grandfather.

My first race in Korea was also Carol's last race *sigh*. She's takin' off (eh?) next monday. Thanks running Guru! Other people who were there: My manly man! This was also HangBin's first race. He didn't train at all and finished before Carol and I. I will never forgive him. Sloane and Jessica made the trip to Boseong from Mokpo and ran the 10K!

Here are some pics of the blessed event! (full set of pics available from my flickr page!)

This is before the race. We look fresh and ready to roll!

Our killer numbers!

That's me coming across the finish line.
Photo taken by HangBin, who finished first.

The sweet metallic taste of victory!

me and my mans

From left: HangBin, Moi, Jessica, Sloane, Carol

ps: I've signed up for a 10K race in Jeju Island on June first. Don't look now, but this may become a habit!