After blogging about my training for the last few weeks, yesterday I finished the Cherry Blossom 5k in 33:38 minute. I was ranked 16 out of 88 women in my age category (40 to 45.)
Few years ago I would have never imagined that I would be running a 5K for the first time in my life at 43.
I only started running one year ago, and only 5 months ago I started doing other form of exercise, like Yoga, BodyPump and Pilates.
I know it sound pathetic, making a big deal out of running only 3 miles in half an hour, but for me it means a lot.
If you are young and in shape, you will not understand what am talking about, but when you will hit 40, things will not be the same.
For me, things went down hill pretty quickly. At 40 I was already feeling old, and not being able to have children didn’t make it easier for me.
It is true that I could never be a Benjamin Button case, or be like this character in Stephen King’s Golden Years, growing younger as I grow older, but I can control one thing, (at least for now); building more muscles and endurance, to slow down the aging factor, for as long as I can.
Yesterday for the first time, I felt like I did. I beat the clock, I made the time stop running for me.
Let see how far, backward, I can still make it.
Life is smiling at me today:)
Here are some of the pictures that I took before and after the race.
I owe the pictures to my husband, who carried my iPhone in his pocket during the race.
I guess, baby, this is why you finished 4 minutes later? Or because you had to have your cigarette in the middle of the race? (I am teasing you:)
I Love you sweetheart!
Excellent, related posts about feeling that we are getting old and doing something about it:
1- New years resolutions and commitment
Mirella, you look, sound and should feel wonderful!! Do not look back. I am sure you are today kinder, wiser, prettier…. I see ageing as a process of gain (whether it is wrinkles, wisdom, experience…) and not loss. I love my new wrinkles, they tell stories about what I’ve been through, good and bad. I would never get rid of them (no botox for me!!) but I will and do take care of myself, exercise, eat right, etc etc. Embrace your age, your life, your husband, your (new) city/country…And who knows, maybe you will get pregnant and maybe not. You are a superb woman in your own right! And that, my sweet friend, is more than enough. It is unique!
Tons of hugs
Nayoul, your comment made me cry:(
I love your friendship, your wisdom, and I am so lucky to be your friend:)
THank you for all the support you gave me all the way!
Love you my friend!
Tears of joy I hope!!!
Great having you as a friend too!! hugs and kisses
oh yes, of Joy:) you spread joy around you Nayla, by being so sweet!
I ran the 5k yesterday too! You must have been right in front of me — I finished in 34:31. Wasn’t it the most perfect day ever? Congrats to you
and great job on your placement in your age group. I’m in a much tougher bracket (26-30) and was 201 out of 358.
IT is sooooo exciting that you found my post!!! thank you so much for stopping by my post and telling me that you were there in this HISTORIC moment!!
The race was amazing!!! and you are right the day was simply PERFECT!
Conratulation for you too! 34:31 is excellent! I never ran 3 miles in 34:31 minutes before, it is an excellent time Rachel!!!
I have no idea how I made it in 33 minutes honestly, must be the adrenaline LOL LOL!
I see you have a blog too:) I am going to check it out now:)
Thank you again for stopping by, sharing your story and leaving a comment!
Good job Rachel!
Also, you actually ran it in 33:06. I was looking at the times, and 33:38 was your clock time. Your actual time — from when you actually crossed the start line to the finish — was 33:06. Even better!
Thank you for the correction,
Hey Guys RACHEL SAID THAT I FINISHED THE RACE IN 33:06 MINUTES! HEAR THAT?
Thank you my Rachel!
One last question: where you wearing white shorts? I saw someone who looked like you from the back. If it was you, you were way in advance of me, until the last minute, I decided to sprint at the end:)
Ha, nope! I was in black pants and a blue-ish top from City Sports. I found you through In It To Gym It
. The adrenaline does wonders, I swear. I’ve been battling some injuries, and I was supposed to run the 10-miler, but switched a couple weeks ago. I’m happy with my race, certainly faster than I’d hoped for. Good for you for sprinting! I was just trying to drag my butt across the finish line under 35 minutes 
oh I see! http://inittogymit.com/ is a great blog!!!
and thank you again Rachel!
oh by the way, I went on your blog, and I found out that I have been reading it before:)
Take care!
Congratulations, Sweetheart! I’m very proud of you.
Thank you baby,
I owe it all to you, for encouraging me, supporting me during my training, registering me at the race, paying and being there for me all the way!!!!
I love you baby:)
Mirella: That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing the photos. I’m a lifelong (but slow) jogger and work out enthusiast. I think it really makes a difference in how young you look and feel, and it’s never too late to start.
Good luck with your new goals!
Gwen, your Tweets and encouragement meant the world to me! cannot thank you enough!
Thank you my friend!
Congratulations Mirella! That’s a great time and a tremendous accomplishment! I wouldn’t expect anything less from you though
I love the photos too. I think my favorite is the one of your husband smoking!
Scott, I was so touched by your encouragement before and on the day of the race!
and the way you sent all the tweets, and your friends retweeting your encouragement, It is more than I deserve!
I had no idea what I was into when I met you on Twitter and how powerful you are! I guess I am very lucky to be surrounded by good people like you Scott, and your thousand of friends.
LOL, My husband liked his photo so much that he made it his Facebook profile!!!
I wish I could return the favor and support the Phillis tonight:) (JIm you are not reading this are you?)
…
Thank you Scott!
Congratulations Mirella!! I feel very proud of having a friend with such will-power! I see that you will get everything you aim at in life! A big hug
Alicia!!! I made it!!!!!
Thank you for being proud of me, it means a lot to me!
You watched my progress step by step!!! and encouraged every move I made by leaving comments on all my related posts.
Thank you my friend, you are so precious to me!
and thanks, again and always, for reading my blog. You are wonderful and I love you.
Mirella
Good on you Mirella! I think it is wonderful that you did so well. I could never be a runner but I do love to walk lots. Keep up the good work – you look great.
Debra
Thanks Debra!!! I wish I was at the cafe Armani in Milan celebrating right now:)
I loved your post today!
http://bagnidilucca.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/lunch-at-the-armani-cafe-in-milan/
Awesome Mirella! You look fabulous and you positive energy is contagious! I’m honored to be in your presence; albeit cyberspace. We are only as only as old as we feel and when we submit to the number on our birthday calendar, we have given up. Look forward, embrace the wisdom you’ve gained in your years, take care of yourself and you’ll always beat the clock!
Shanna, I am so happy to have met you on Twitter too:) you are a great friend.
You are so mature and wise.
You have wonderful advices to listen to, I cannot believe that you are almost 10 years younger than me:)
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment:)
You are wonderful!
and thanks for the retweet:)
Mirella, congratulations!! You look beautiful and sound happy and this is so inspiring. And I saw in the comments that it was really 33:06 – omg! I can’t even run 1 mile let alone 3 so I do understand what an accomplishment this is. You just keep getting more and more amazing!!
Thank youuuuu Holly!
Look who’s talking the woman who excercise every single morning at the gym!
Thank you Holly! You are so sweet! You made my afternoon! Love you girl!
Okay, I’m basically recopying a part of my comment here (pardon my laziness- sleep is beckoning me) since Rosie is here:
“Haha! So we did indeed! I love Rosie the Riveter- she’s so iconic, a butch version of the beautiful Audrey Hepburn! I was even planning to buy the propaganda poster until I realised how very broke I was. And I chose to forego Rosie for Johnny Depp (in Benny and Joon) !
I’m rambling again, aren’t I?”
And congratulations on your fitness! Woohoo! Though I may be young, I think I can sympathise with you… on matters on cross-country leastways! Before magazines started to hit me with images of beautiful girls, I was rather unfit then (I remember a chubby-ish girl of 9), you see
.
I hope I didn’t steal anyone’s copy right with my picture:):) I didn’t pay for it:)
My picture is a T-shirt from a tourist shop next to the White House, I took the pictures of the T-shirt when it was displayed in the window!
Look whomever you are I am so in love with your blog!!! great job!!!
Hi Mirella.
This is the post that inspired me to start running …. Unfortunately, my knees started hurting and my physical therapist suggested that I walk. I have been walking regularly, and trying to increase my distance and speed. I am disappointed that I am not able to run, but I will try again in the future.
I appreciate your recent comment on my blog. It was encouraging!
Sorry Sara to hear about your knee
Yoga can be good for your knees, if you want to try it.
I love your blog, it is a peaceful calming loving post
Thanks for stopping by Sara
Mirella