What to Try When You Turn 40!

When my birthday came around this year Dale and the kids asked me what I wanted.  I am quite happy with the things that I have.  There isn't much that I really wanted that I didn't already have.  I always want to travel (I love to see new places and do new things), but we decided that our house needs windows and carpet this year.  So for my 40th birthday I got new windows in my house.  I have wanted them for a long time now, so I am quite excited about getting them now.  They look fabulous.  I can hardly hear the wind blowing our windchimes outside anymore. The breeze isn't blowing through Marie's bedroom window anymore, and you can actually see out of Valeries window, and they look beautiful too.

My birthday dinner is always fun.  I love to eat out.  It's a favorite pass time of mine.  I love the atmosphere, the food is usually great, and I love the socializing that comes with it.  Tonight we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Applebees, and had an enjoyable meal.  I was even serenaded by the Applebees staff.  I usually don't mind being sung to in restaurants, but tonight I was fine without the song because everyone else in the joint had a birthday too (at least 8 before mine), but the kids insisted.  I think they just wanted the sundae that comes with it.  I let them have their fun.

The numbers speak for themselves. 

Forever 29...reality 39 moving on to 40.

About a month ago I was thinking about what I could do for my 40th birthday that would make it special.  After reading about many of my friends who are always running marathons, I decided I couldn't do that, but I could probably run a 5K.  I didn't want to do it by myself, so I asked Jordan if he wanted to run it with me.  Jordan had been conditioning in track so I knew he would be willing. Then Dale asked if he could join too.  I signed us all up for the first annual BAM race (Big Air Memorial) in Farr West.  It was a fundraising race to help Aaron Greer's family. Aaron had suddenly passed away in February this year.  I knew Aaron when he was young, so I thought this was a worthy place to start.

I have been worried about the race for the past couple of days, not because I was worried about making the run, but I was worried about how it would play out. Things like where to park the car, what to bring, how to take pictures at the end, etc. were the things that were waying on my mind.  Finally the day came. It was a cold and rainy morning, the weather this year has been very cold and wet, yet undetered I got up and got ready. Followed closely by Dale and Jordan, we headed out.  We got to Mountain View Park in Farr West early. We got our numbers and our shirts, and then we went and sat in the warm car for a little while.  At 7:30 we got out, warmed up the muscles by walking around the park, and got ready for the big event.  When the race started I had my MP3 player on and the song that just happen to be playing came from the 1984 Summer Olympics (Jessica would be proud), called "Power."  This was totally coincidental, but very fitting.  I was stoked.  As we ran, I realized how difficult it is to set your own pace.  I usually go at pretty slow run, but it was hard not to follow other runners.  I had to keep telling myself, "slow down you're going to wear yourself out." I wanted to run the whole thing, even if it was slow. The route went through the subdivision and out to the main road that runs in front of Wahlquist.  We turned down the fair grounds road.  As we passed under the fair grounds sign, I thought of Aaron and why they were holding the race and this made me reflect on Jenny as well.  I almost had to stop for a minute to compose myself, because my emotions were so strong at that point.  I could totally visualize her there with me and that kept me going.  We passed Jordan as he had already reached the halfway mark and was now on his return path.  At this point, I was feeling great.   When we got to the half mark, we were on a pace that was a personal best for me.  I was impressed.  At about the 2.5 mile mark though, I was tiring. I looked up ahead and thought, "Oh good, the turn to the final stretch is close." I was wrong.  When we got to the point where the turn should have been, I got frustrated.  I told Dale we had to slow up or I wouldn't make it.  He wasn't even tired (men), he slowed down for me.  We made the final turn (finally) and headed down the final stretch.  Dale wanted to sprint the last stretch.  I told him I didn't think I could do that, but after a few more steps I turned it on and sprinted to the end. Yeah! I did it!   I handed in my ticket for what place I took and then went over and got some water and realized I didn't know my time.  We went back over to the finish line and I listened as the other runners came in at 34 minutes.  Sweet!  That was my normal time for running a 5K so I know I had bested my personal best.  We guessed that we probably ran it in about 31 minutes.  I was pleased with my results.  Jordan of coarse did much better, but he's young.  He says he ran it in about 24 minutes.  I should have given him the keys to the car so he could have grabbed the camara and taken pictures of us crossing the finish line, but alas Dale had the keys.  I guess I couldn't think of everything.  When we got back we had someone take pictures of all of us at the finish line.  That was good enough.  I am proud of myself for doing the race.  I think I want to challenge myself a little more a try a 10K, but I don't know when that will happen.  For now I will just be happy I ran this one.  Happy Birthday to me!

I look like I just ran a 5K or something.