Soooo….it’s been crickets around here lately. I’ve been pretty bad about updating my blog. I’ve been in a funk and haven’t really been doing much besides working and studying for school, so I haven’t had a lot to write about. I did reach one of my 2013 goals when I became a licensed Zumba instructor a couple weeks ago (check out my friend Kate’s blog post about the day here), and I’m proud of that and excited at the prospect of teaching a class and sharing an experience that has changed my life. Besides that, I haven’t been doing much and I’ve been in a less-than-sunny mood. Winter, I blame you.
This weekend, I decided I was tired of being such a grouch and was ready to snap myself out of it. I began the weekend by participating with some friends in the Valentine’s Day Dash, a 5k race around Green Lake in Seattle. We got up early and got a great parking space in a lot across the street from the start line, and didn’t have to wait in line at all to pick up our race packets. Because it was a Valentine’s race, when we registered we designated whether we were Single or Taken, and our relationship status was printed on our race number. Here’s mine:

 
It was a cold, cloudy morning, but no rain was falling. We walked around for awhile, looking at the different booths that had been set up and the costumes of the fellow racers. People get really into these holiday-themed races and there were lots of racers that were dressed up. I saw tons of girls in frilly tutus, and a man dressed like a Hershey kiss (I have no clue how he was able to run in that outfit). One woman had glued Conversation Hearts to the back of her shirt to spell out I Luv U, and even had some of the candies stuck into her hair.
The race began at 9:30. I tried to stay with my friends, but since there was such a crowd of people we got separated and I was left to run on my own. I didn’t mind though, I had music on my iPhone and I trotted along, enjoying the view of the lake as I ran. I’m not a runner by nature, and for the most part when I do run it’s on the treadmill. Running around Green Lake was a nice change of scenery for me. Even though it was cold out, I warmed up quickly once I got moving, and the air was clear and crisp. My music was upbeat, and as I passed the Mile 2 marker I realized that I was setting a decent (well, for me anyway) pace and that I didn’t feel at all like dying.
My official race time was 33:31. That wasn’t all that fast, considering the fastest girl came in at 16:59…I don’t think I could ever run a 5k that fast. But  I’m pleased with my time and I think it was pretty awesome, coming from a girl who couldn’t even run the first lap of the mile in high school without walking.
It’s amazing how much getting out and going for a run cheered me up and made me feel better about life. After the race I went home and took a shower, then treated myself to a pedicure and some shopping. I truly feel rejuvenated. I’m hoping that my winter blahs are now gone for good.