Well, I'm still not a runner.

Last year at this very same time, I was writing about my experience at the Cotton Row Run.  It was 2 days ago and I'm still recovering.  Let me reiterate:  I hate to run.  I try to exercise and get in good enough shape to make a fairly good go of it.  I do not practice running.  Unless, of course, it is to chase 2 little boys from harms way.  I have all the gear; the specially purchased after analyzing my running pattern shoes, the discount running watch I found on the internet for Mom to buy me for Christmas, and my newly purchased, favorite article of clothing, my running bra. Again, the short version for all you that actually have things to do other than read my incredibly long blogs, I came in 92nd place in my age group of 127, 1287 out of 2000 runners at a snails finish of 40:10.  If you've kept notes from last year that's about 2 minutes slower.

I popped up bright and early Monday morning in hopes of a cancellation because of a big storm hitting Huntsville.  Needless to say, the weather channel did not cooperate.  So, Robin, myself and her son Spencer headed down to the race.  We had to stop first for a Monster drink for Spencer.  I should have taken a couple of chugs.  We park and again, have a nice warm up to the "runner hangout".  The drink has taken its affect and Spencer is done with us.  I believe it was because we are moving too slow and not because we aren't exactly in the "cool" group.  We mill around and of course, Robin has to potty.  

The race is about to start and we make our way into the crowd.  You've got to position yourself correctly.  You don't want to be run over by young boys who have had a monster drink and you don't want to run over persons that are choosing to walk the 5k.  Unfortunately, I don't think we picked a good spot.  It took about 30 seconds of prime race time to get the crowd moving along.  We ran for the first mile and got to show our skills to Robin's family.  I have no idea where Ben is with the kids -  Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, Burger King, Krispy Kreme.  We take it easy and walk for a little ways.  I'm starting to notice big hairy guys and women who, I think in my minds eye, are bigger than me.  How can they possibly be passing us?  We pick it up and run a little more.  We have been eating Spencer's dust for most of the race until he returns to check on us.  Yes, we are still moving and no, we haven't thrown up.  Ok, he can move on.  

As we continue to run a little and walk a lot, I'm starting to feel like I need to get this over with.  At the last turn, Robin says for me to go ahead and, as timing has it, a friend of hers has just come up from behind to join her.  I take off.  I finally see my family and take the opportunity to stop and catch my breath so Ben can get a picture of me.  After seeing the pictures, I wished I hadn't!  I decide to go all out for the finish.  I am focused on the finish.   The only time I look to the crowd is when I hear my Mother yell my nickname.  I finish and find my family.  "Girls, your on your own this year.  I can't run the mile."  Luckily, they each had a cousin to run with.  

The kids all finish and we collect our free food, take a couple of group shots and head to the house.  Of course I have a couple of funnies:

• We saw at least 3 pregnant women  in this race - I think we beat the 21 week-er and "Lindsey" and her groupies.  I have no idea where the 35 week-er finished, but I can only guess she was WAY behind us!
• According to Owen and Spencer, who were "traveling" with Ally, a grandma type lady, possibly in her sixties might have gotten a little fresh with Ally.  Ally doesn't particularly recall the episode, but the grandma came up behind Ally and said, "Move over little kid or I'm going to run you over", and then proceeded to give Ally a little push on the back.  I guess it didn't bother Ally as much as it bothers me!
• A 300 pound man was so excited about his free pizza that he cut in front of about 8 kids to get his.  Hope you liked it, because even my pizza fanatics said it was nasty.  
• I got to finish about 5 seconds behind a 6 year old that looked about like she was 4.  Way to go me.
• My favorite article of clothing did nothing for my speed and, according to the pictures, did nothing for my looks.  It does, however, feel marvelous!