I did WHAT?

I woke up Saturday morning feeling less than stellar...but I had a date.
A date with my 2 best running buddies, Judy and Maggie, we were heading to run the Ashland Railroad 10k.
Trust me, I had considered cancelling, but I hate to let anyone down, so I was ready and waiting in my driveway at 6:15am for Judy to pick me up.
We had a quick ride up and A LOT of time to spare but we can always fill that with chit chat and laughter.
Judy and I went and picked up all 3 packets and we walked back to the car to wait for Maggie.
It was a little chilly but I had my neon gloves.
Oh, have I told you that my new favorite color for running clothes is that super bright neon snot yellow?
I digress..anyhoo, we finally mustered ourselves out of our vehicles and headed towards the start.
Maggie and Judy both ran into friends, we made the potty stop and then headed towards the start.
I noticed that my right foot was completely numb (Newton's are thin on cold ground) and I could only feel my big toe in my left foot.
Judy had planned on starting with Laura and Maggie and I were going to run together.
I told her at the start that I was really hurting and not to wait for me once we got going.
I had a rough week of doubles, a bad fall and hadn't slept well the last 2 nights, but I was prepared to suck it up.
I started out fast and then realized I wanted to run but my body wasn't cooperating, I told Maggie to go and I settled in where I felt okay. By okay I mean, every step was effort but it wasn't killing me. Hit the first mile mark and I knew I was going to have to cheer myself thru this race. So I pulled out my mantra's and watched Maggie up ahead.
I will cut out all the middle and tell you this...the last 3 miles consisted of running one 1.5 mile loop twice - I hate running the same place twice BUT it was good to get to lap a few folks and use that as a bit of drive to get thru it.
Final stretch, 6 mile marker...only .2 miles to go and I DUG IN!
Seriously I thought to myself "run, run hard, run until you throw up!"
I didn't throw up but I finished in 49:25 which worked out to be a 7:58 minute mile, a race PR for me.
Although I knew I could have done better had I felt well, I decided not to act disappointed even though I was.
Maggie had to leave quick and so Judy and I decided to hang out for door prizes and to see if Maggie placed.
We got a bagel and visited the petting zoo, then headed to the stage for the door prizes.
Maggie did win a tshirt and bag and Judy and I got squat...
An hour after we finished, still no results...
An hour and a half after we finished, still no results...
Apparently there was a printing issue and well, I had things to do and so did Judy, so we agreed to bail.
Home I went, no door prize and a bit disappointed with my race.
(Sulk, sulk, sulk)
BUT the day took an amazing turn around when Judy called around 2:30pm to tell me I had placed...
I placed 2nd in my Age Group!
WHAT?
I have never placed before...and on the day they had issues and I had to leave before getting my moment on the "podium" (okay, it was a small stage but none the less)...
I was elated! I ran out to tell Hubs and called Mom and Dad.
I love that I am 42 years old and still want to call my Mom and Dad and share good news. :-)
Anyway, that's it, that's all I got, I finally placed in a race and was so happy I did...oh, and I beat a guy I work with by 3 minutes, which is totally a bit of extra icing on the proverbial cake!
Thanks for listening!
Run safe, run happy!
-d