#146. or, I just felt like running. (the K&K virtual 5k.)

  I probably didn't talk to you all about this as much as I needed to, but after 3 months of intensive and rigorous training, last Saturday morning, (March 2nd) I ran a 5k marathon. Quite possibly the very first annual, K&K virtual 5k marathon.

  Alright, it wasn't exactly rigorous, OR intensive training but I did make an effort to at least not come across as totally inept at trying to finish this thing. And while I wasn't able to run the entire distance, I did run 23 of the 25 laps around the track above the arena in town to complete the distance. That's better than I had ever done before and at a time of just under 33 minutes and 28 seconds, faster than I had ever ran the distance as well.

  So, I'm pleased with that. But I can't say that the reason I did as well as I did was solely from my driving desire to be the best. Because I don't have that. AT ALL! It's because this time, I was competing with friends. Not physically there running with me at the track in town, but friends in different parts of the globe, who had committed to the run or lent their support, via the internet, and were with me as I did those laps. That's why, when I would have normally backed out of my run to walk a lap or 2, to catch my wind and let the pain in my side die down, the knowledge that I had the support of a handful of first class individuals was the difference that made this time better than all the rest.

  These people need to be recognized:

  First, there's the other "K" in the K&K, name of this run. Kianwi, from Simply She Goes has been my partner in this venture right from the beginning. And truthfully, without her, I know this run wouldn't have been nearly as successful as it was. I'm pretty sure that most of the people who joined up, did so because she's so darned good at schmoozing the masses. No matter who's blog that I stop in on, she's already been there and left her comment. If you ever need any blog PR done, she's the one you should turn to. Also, it was so motivating, knowing that she and I were doing our runs at the exact same time on opposite sides of the continent. Our times were almost the same and she made this run fun. So many thanks to her.

  The rest of these people who participated did the 5k in their own particular fashion. While most of them ran, others were unable to run and did whatever they could to cover the distance. Which is impressive in it's own right. Because getting out and being active is what this was all about when it comes right down to it.

  Jules, from My Mom's A Whack Job, who incorporated her portion of our run into a different run. An Urban Warrior Dash, that was so much more than anything I was able to accomplish. Cause she's awesome like that!

  My awesome friend, Carrie, from The Slow Dripped Life, did her run while she was in Florida picking up her equally awesome son from his mission trip to Africa. The only thing that kept her from running the entire distance was that she had to stop and take some pictures of hammocks. And if you know Carrie at all, you'll excuse her for that.

  Annika, from Life as I Know It, who is a new friend that I've made that did her run in a completely different hemisphere, as it was getting dark out. Which is exactly what the virtual part of this run was all about. Bringing people from different parts of the world, linked together through one form of social media or another, toward a common goal. Thanks for that.

  Janie Junebug, from Women, We Shall Overcome, did her part to get the distance covered by taking her dogs on 2 separate long walks around the neighborhood. That fit into the guidelines we had laid out for our 5k, so it counts completely. (actually, there weren't really any guidelines, other than to just cover the distance.)

  Heather, from Stretching My Wings, covered her distance by spending her day out and about a festival in her town. Sounds like a good way to spend the day to me. Thanks for joining in Heather.

  Vapid Vixen, from A Vapid Vixen, The queen of brilliant segue's, did her run on a treadmill at the gym after her own method of intense training which included Vodka before the run. Something I'm seriously thinking about incorporating into my next 5k. Although, Vodka before 9 in the morning is something that I may have to train to do anyways?

  Christie, from Outlaw Momma, who said she was inspired by our run which is sort of cool, because she's a pretty inspiring runner herself.

  Stacie, from Snaps and Bits who ran her 5k outside in the cold with her dog.

  And Bryan, from A Beer for the Shower, who, even though sick, ran a freakishly good time of just under 21 minutes. While sick! Through snow and mud, while dodging Canadian Geese! Evidently I need to start drinking beer in my shower?

 ...........also, a shout out to the Pickleope, who didn't run on the day because he was ill as well, but had run a 5k earlier in the week anyways. So he gets included for almost being there. Close enough for us!

  So, if I missed anybody, please drop me a line, and I would be happy to add you to our list. Maybe you had trained in secret and didn't get a chance to say anything to us? Whatever the case, we'd be happy to add you.

  To everyone who joined us or cheered us on, Thank you! I would certainly rate this run as a success. Even though each of us ran our races alone, the community of the blog universe connected us all together that day. And even though my time wasn't really anything spectacular, it was the sense of community that made me dig a little bit deeper than I normally would on those days that I trained by myself and it's because of that, that I turned in my best time to date.

  .........a time which I plan to shatter next year. I hope you all come along again.