Thank you all so so so much for your support! I can't tell you how helpful it has been!
Ok, so I AM BACK! And I finished! AND I WAS NOT LAST!!!
It was raining and cold...and what a trip! Having never done a race before, I wasn't completely sure what to expect, but I thought I had read enough and asked enough questions from my WISH teammates that I knew what to expect.
WRONG!
I specifically chose this race because it was just a little local 5k/5 miler. I figured it would just be area locals who run for fitness, etc. OMG there were like REAL REAL REAL runners there. I mean like semi-pro people. And they were all greased up and stuff and wearing running tights (which look like granny panties, I swear, just skin tight and made of spandex), and they were doing that high-step jogging thing before the race to get all warmed up. They were SERIOUS as SH*T, I tell ya.
It was at this point that even Jeff began to freak out. He was all calm before...just another run to him (though it was his first race, too...but he has been running for years and years). And then he saw the running freaks and he turned to me and said, "I am so not happy with you right now...and I have 5 miles to think about what you can do to make this up to me..."
There were LOTS of people there that I knew. I literally bumped into my SIL (she was doing the 5, of course, cause she is a skinny mom). I thought that the rain might keep the prima donas away, but nope...they just had their color-coordinated running hats and tights on.
Scoping out the crowd, I looked for some people that were more normal sized...not just the twigs that could run. I figured I would keep near them. I was somewhat confident when I saw a group of 60-something women all wearing matching t's that said they were some sort of walking group. Phew. Walkers are good. Even a slow runner will come in ahead of walkers.
So, the national anthem is sung, the horn goes off, and the race has started. The first half mile or so is just everybody weaving in and out of the crowd and trying to get their own pace and space. Once I was in a bit of a groove, I turned my iPod on and try to just have "my run."
Well, they had a clock at the one-mile mark. And man, Nancy, I wish I had read your post BEFORE the race. Yup, my first miles was 9:25! Now, for anyone who considers him/herself a runner, this is NOT fast. But this was a full minute faster than my FASTEST mile on record. CRAP! If I didn't slow down, I wasn't going to finish.
Ok, at this point, I am running out by the ocean and just trying to feel good. I was thinking of all of you guys and a couple of the volunteers who were helping the runners commented that I was the only person they saw smiling! That made me laugh!
So I am feeling pretty good about myself because I know that there are lots of people behind me...and then I got to the HILL! I did really well up the hill! Yup, body boarders pushed me all the up it!

But then there was about half a mile left of the race...straight and flat to the finish line. And I had very little left.
I knew I would finish, but there would be no "extra boost" and kicking it in to get to the finish line. It would just be a slow jog. And at that exact moment, Jeff came running up from the other direction. He had finished his race and then doubled back to come and escort me to the finish. I fell in love with him all over again at that moment.
He really tried to push me to turn up the fire to get to the finish, but let me go at my pace.
The end result: I finished in 31:15. That means that I ran 10:05 minute miles. I am OVER-THE-TOP excited with that number! That is MUCH fast than I have ever run!
My mom and kids were there at the finish...soaking wet. They got photos which I will post soon.
Ok, time for brunch...Jeff is making a victory brunch for us all.
LOVE YOU GUYS and thanks for everything!