Kelley Kryptonite?

This past weekend marked the second year in a row that I participated in the Asheville Superhero 5K benefiting local law enforcement and firefighters. This was also the second year that I led a running club for novice runners through Asheville Mommies, the same organization that first introduced me to my dream team gals. Running club is always a good time...at least when we manage to show up. With jobs, kids, life, etc...sometimes at 5:30pm we really didn't feel like meeting up at Carrier Park and sometimes we didn't. But alas, 5 of us registered and completed the 5K on Saturday and no one came in last! I am super proud of each girl, especially 3 ladies who had never run before AT ALL and could barely keep pace for a full minute when we started. Go SuperMommies!

This race is always a good time because participants dress in costume and are awarded free pizza and beer after. Who can ask for more, right? When I created my Supermommy costume last year I was feeling very super because I had a 10 week old baby and the race was my first after having little Oliver. I finished last year in 30:36 (not too bad given the circumstances) but this year I wanted to be fast. After a busy racing season with 2 half marathons and a 10 miler up Sunset, I hadn't done a 5K since the last Superhero and I was excited to see how I had improved. I had a strategy...Start fast, do the middle part fast and finish really fast. After all it was only 3.1 miles. How bad could it be? Here I am with prerace jitters just before the start.
Running in a cape is a pain in the ass on a windy day. You turn into a human sail and if you are pushing it too hard up a mountain and the string has a tight grip on your gag reflex you could find yourself in trouble. I did NOT want to puke again. That was a one time deal. I crossed the finish line in 27:23... 3 minutes and 13 seconds faster than last year. I was happy with 8:49 miles in Asheville...but it wasn't as fast as I had hoped for. So imagine my surprise when at the awards ceremony ( Which I never stick around for but happened to be there by default because I was still gulping down my free pizza and beer) when they called out my name! What? Did I win best costume? As it turns out I came in 3rd out of females ages 25-29. Wow! How many 25-29 females were there, 3? Modesty aside, it was a pretty big race, not like that time I came in fourth overall in that dirt field at that weird park. I was pretty excited to say the least and I kinda started to feel superhuman. Then I put down the free beer and went home.
A big shout out to the little fellows that make me a Supermommy... my SiSi and Ollie. They keep me healthy so that I can be around forever and ever. They are also excellent supporters and have become pro's at watchin races. Thanks guys!