This running thing is getting more and more fun. For now, I just consider these runs “events,” not necessarily races. The only person I am truly competing against at this point is myself.

The Monte Sano 15K is an excellent event to simply run OR race. Photo credit: We Run Huntsville

Take Saturday’s Monte Sano 15K, for instance. It was my first official event of this distance. I knew there would be people in front of me and I knew others would fall behind me. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but delighted in the cooler morning temperatures at the higher altitude, along with the beautiful scenery across the mountain.

Much to my surprise, I tackled most of the rolling hills on the course. My butt muscles were tight — even sore — but I knew I was getting stronger and that weakness, as they say, was leaving the body.

I am not sure how many runners participated, but I know I was the 213th person to cross the finish line. While I haven’t seen the official times, I believe mine was around 1:38. Since it was my first 15K, it is automatically my PR. The bar has been set.

Next year, I plan on participating in the Monte Sano 15K again. If I keep up my training and continue building my distance, next year I might actually be racing someone other than myself!