A Day in the Life of a Runner

5:15 a.m. - Alarm clock ringing, drag myself out of bed, turn on coffee(even tho I won't be partaking), 1st trip to the bathroom.

5:25 - Eat one piece of toast with butter and jelly. Would like another but stomach forbids it.
Legs start their nervous shaking(cut it out legs, it's only a run).

5:40 - Second trip to the bathroom. Nervous stomach. Every race day starts this way.

5:45 - Sit ups. I've discovered this helps get air out of stomach that I got from eating my toast.

5:55 - Dress in new running shorts. This could be a big mistake. Never wear something to run in
you haven't tried before.

6:10 - We're on our way. The beautiful morning sky didn't do much to calm the nerves.Rain was predicted today but luckily not until the afternoon.

6:45 - Arrival at Mississippi College who was hosting The Senior Olympics where I am running my
5K. Get registered

6:55 - Nervous stomach is needing another bathroom break. A couple of more times should be
sufficient.

7:25 - Walk to the other side of the track to begin race. Heart is racing, I feel like I am going to
"lose my cookies" any minute.

7:30 - "Runners ready!" Gun goes off. 1 1/2 laps inside the track. At the first curve breathing is
already labored and I'm ready to quit. It's going to be a tough run.

7:32 - Out of the track and onto the neighboring roads.Time to leave the track onto uncharted territory.7:45 - Heavy, heavy labored breathing. I probably sounded like a fog horn on a boat running down the road. Lungs are begging to stop, legs ain't letting it happen.7:52 - Oh so glad to be headed back into the stadium. I'm smelling the finish line.7:54 - Finish line. Yippee!!! Did I say yippee!!! Labored breathing finally stops. Stomach instantly settles down. And the winner is!!!! So is it worth it?!??!?! See that smile!!!!!