Well, folks – I did it: I finished my first 10K! Yay! I was no Molly Huddle, who clocked in with a net time of 32:07 (that’s a 5 minute mile people!), but I finished respectfully – and alive – with my 8:55 per mile pace.

It could not have been a more beautiful day for a run. It was a balmy high of 54 degrees in Boston, but with the gorgeous sun shining down, it felt just right. The course was the perfect running route, beginning at Park Street, followed by a lap along the Charles River, looping back down Commonwealth Avenue, and ending back at the Boston Commons. Over 7,000 women came out to walk, run, and sprint (ahem, Molly Huddle) their way through the 10K course, all to the “girl power” slogan of “Start Strong, Finish Stronger.”

I got to the Commons early to pick up my race number, and decided to take advantage of all of the fun health and fitness tents.

Cascadian Farm was there with a slew of cereals and granola bars.

And so was Luna, with their Luna Bars and new Luna Sport Moons. The fun little gummy moons are designed as an alternative to energy gels for runners, and pack 100 calories per 6 gummies. I thought the Blueberry was really yummy, but the Pomegranate kind of tasted like cough syrup – yuck. Not what I would want to taste in the last leg of a marathon.

I absolutely loved this beanie!

I ended up bringing home so many Luna and Lara Bars that I’ve decided to do a post on Luna vs. Lara (stay tuned snackers).

Finally, it was race time! I stretched out with Jennie, Alanna, and Janel, and then took my place at the starting line!

Whew! With so much pep in my step during the race, I was exhausted afterwards; exhausted but proud. We were all winners for running that day! #1s for everyone!

If you’ve never ran a race before – or never ran in your life – there is still time!   I didn’t start running long distances until last year, and now I’m hooked. My advice: start small, and work your way up. Start out with a goal of running in a 3K or 5K first, and before you know it, you could be running all 26 miles of the Boston Marathon!  Also, it helps if you tell people your goals.  The more people you tell, the more accountable you will feel for fulfilling them, and you’ll be more likely to push yourself to follow through.

Check out Active.com to find races near you, of all varying levels and lengths.

Now, go fill in the blanks!!!  See ____ Run.  Run, _____, Run!

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Lindsey