I completed my first race at this year’s Seafair Torchlight Run. I picked the 5K over 8K because I honestly didn’t know if I would be able to finish the course. To my fear, the day of race was hot and humid. It was not an easy run but I finished it. Afterward, I ran all the way home at lower Queen Anne via Alaska Way.
It’s a big step for me. The race reminded me of the progress I’ve made over the years. 7 years ago, my friend Boon coached me and introduced me to running. I mentioned his name because to this day, he still reminds me how he “saved” my life. So it is official Boon, you are such a great friend and you don’t want me to forget about it. 
I still remember clearly when we first started our training at Greenlake, I was out of breath after jogging the distance of 3 trash cans (400 feet?). From that, I slowly progress to today’s 5.6 miles in 50 minutes. The progress was slow but then again I wasn’t doing it with a particular agenda in mind.
Just before the race, I learned a very encouraging piece of information from a friend. According to a New York Times article, female runners do better as they get older. And guess what? the 3rd place female runner in the 5K race is a 49-year-old!
I’m starting to get excited about the possibility if I take running more seriously.
Living in the Seattle area, Smelly is a user experience designer by day, a running, cycling, gardening type of girl when she wasn't wearing the designer hat.
