Couch to 10k? Mission accomplished.

How many miles to the beer?

I finished! Who'dve thunk?

I'll admit, I am a total headcase. I've been psyching myself out of this race for a week, thinking that I'm really not in any sort of shape, and certainly NOT a runner. I only ran a few times in the past couple of weeks. I haven't been sleeping well. I'm fighting a sinus infection.

Yeah, I don't want to hear the excuses, either.

Reality? I showed up, did my best to keep up with my amazing friend Jennifer, and finished only 13 seconds slower than my best 10k time last summer when I was training regularly. No kidding. I'm still wrapping my head around that one.

Get this--my time this year was almost 14 minutes faster than last year, and last year's course was about a half-mile shorter due to a miscalculation. I finished in the middle of the race (297 out of 700 finishers) and in the top third of my age group (21st out of 60 women). Last year, I was only faster than about 40 people. Maybe.

I wish I could write something glorious here about how far I've come since I decided to get in shape, but I'm still having trouble believing it. I think I have some sort of brain glitch. I can look at all the numbers, but because I felt sluggish and lots of people passed me toward the end of the race, I have a hard time accepting that I did well.

Jennifer, on the other hand, kept saying, "This is so much fun!" Not only does she think her glass is half-full, she's convinced it's filled with a drink she loves, and she's going to get free refills. I want to see life like that.

Take-home lessons:

• Knock off the whining. No one wants to hear it, and it doesn't feel good to do it.

• Have a blast. While I fretted about my performance, many runners were chatting, laughing and focusing on the post-race party. That's the ticket.

• Wear a costume. The runners wearing green tutus, women's panties on their heads, and St. Patty's afros got us all in the spirit of the race. I especially liked the guy dressed as a pot of gold. Wish I'd gotten a picture for you.

• Pounding a jumbo latte before the race and a pint of Guinness after maybe isn't the best idea. I have never been so looped.

• My dudes rock. Hot husband and the boys drove to several points along the course to see me run and to take pictures. My older two ran the last mile with me, and my youngest trotted along for the last 100 yards. Thanks, guys!

More on Couch to 10k
The deets: Couch to 10k how-to
Shorter workouts, better health

 Me and Jen catching up with life on the fly.

Me on the gooey trail section, which I loved!

 Crossing the finish line with my dudes. I'm just to the right of the flags and sign.

Wow. Did it!

 Post race street party at Pub 317 

Me, Guinness and Monkey Boy. Didn't share my beer with him.