What a huge success TCSWW 5k was on Saturday morning!!! We had over 300 runners, 50 golfers, and between the raffles, registrations, hats, golfers, and sponsors we made over $35,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project!!!

To say that the race went off without a hitch would be an understatement! Sure, it was raining a little, but not nearly as hard as we had all anticipated, and it by no means stopped anyone from getting out there and having a great time!

It was such an incredible experience to do things from the directors/organizers side of a race. Making all of the signs, packing up all 3 of our SUVs with bananas, waters, t-shirts, packets… Setting up the course markers and assigning volunteers to certain areas. Helping with race day registrations. That isn’t even half of it!!! It was an incredibly rewarding experience and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to help out! I’ve volunteered at a few races, but it’s not nearly the same as being there behind the scenes with the organizers getting everything ready for the big show. I have a whole new respect for the wonderful folks who put on so many bad-ass races! Who knew so much went into making a measly little 5k go off smoothly? Huge props to my step-mom and our friend Jess! They did an incredible job.

When we were setting up, starting at the buttcrack of dawn, it was absolutely dreadful. DOWN POURING and pitch black out. It was no fun at all, thankfully by the time packet pick up and registration rolled around the rain had died down a smidge. It was still coming down though… We were starting to get concerned not many people would show up. It’s a smaller race, and nobody wants to start their Saturday morning soaking wet! However as the time ticked on the rain calmed down and by the time the gun went off it was down to a mere trickle.

dark. raining. sad.

8am rolled around quicker than it ever has in my entire life! The rain was slowing down and when I looked back at the start line I was able to take in just how many runners there were! I was so proud of the work my family and friends had just done to make this all happen!

We were off!

I decided right away that I wasn’t worrying about time. If you recall, this time last week I was still choking every step I took when I tried to run because of my stupid bronchitis. I told myself that finishing a 5k in the middle pack was an accomplishment in itself at this point.

The course, if I’m being completely honest was nothing spectacular. They could have chosen a better route. It took us out of the parking lot of the Byron Nelson High School, down Bobcat Drive which was pretty, I suppose. Tons of huge mansions and flat flat flatness going on. Then we took a left onto Trophy Club Drive.. Which usually is really pretty but they are building it up right now, so its all dirt and empty space. Nothing fancy going on over there what-so-ever right now… But it was alright.

Before I knew it we were at the turnaround/water stop. Whattt? 1.55 miles already? get outta here! I caught myself wanting to look down at my Garmin but I stopped myself “no Charlotte, don’t look down it’s just going to intimidate you or make you do something your lungs aren’t ready for” So I pulled my coat sleeve down over it so I couldn’t be tempted anymore and just kept up with the girls around me. They were just chatting, having a good time so I figured that would be a safe place to tuck myself in.

They were some really sweet ladies! We had some really interesting conversations during that last 1.5ish miles. Lovely Lovely women who drove up all the way from Tyler just to support the Wounded Warrior Project! How neat is that (btw that is a 2.5 hour drive for a tiny little 5k!) They made the last mile and a half zoom by.

Next thing I knew we were running back up the parking lot of Byron and the finish line was in eye sight! I ran across the mat and looked down at my Garmin finally. Not terrible!

Considering I didn’t feel like I truly “pushed” myself to the point where I was breathing heavy at all, and I’m still recovering from this lingering bronchitis, I’m pretty pleased with my time. 10:36 minute miles is nothing special… But since I’ve been sick and out of the running game for the last month… I will certainly take it with a smile! Plus, I’m running the Great Taco Run 10k this morning (by the time most of you read this I’ll have probably already run it) so I’m glad I didn’t push myself too hard so that I’ll be able to give 100% there!! Actually — this will be my first 10k race. Can you believe that? I’ve done a 1 mile race, 5ks, an 8k, 10 miler, half marathon.. but never the 10k!! But, I guess there is a first time for everything!!

Anyways back to the topic at hand…. Over all I was pleased with the race! Especially because I’ve never run a 5k that gave out finisher medals! & THEYRE SO DARN CUTE!!!