Summing Up The Smiths: The Big Accomplishment

Our very first set of numbers.

Kalon and I started training for a 5K in June. When we started we really couldn’t complete the first day without groaning and complaining while being out of breath. It was miserable. We picked the hottest time of year to start this torture, but I am kind of glad we did. We ended up missing a few weeks of “training” due to us being sick and things of that nature. We started this training to eventually be ready for The Color Run in Memphis. Well, the run was Saturday and I am pleased to say that we actually completed it without stopping. We ran the entire 3.1 miles and we couldn’t be more happy with our accomplishment.

The night before the run Lauren, Kalon, and I had dinner and stayed in Southaven. We thought this would allow us a couple more minutes of sleep time, since it would cut our drive approximately 25 miles or so. We woke up, got dressed, got breakfast, and got on the road. When we arrived at the destination we ran into some fellow Senatobians. Kalon’s parents also came to show support and volunteer. It was great to see everyone and meet Kalon’s parental units.

Ali G!!!!!!

JoJo and Brittany

We made our way down to the starting line to notice a sea of white in front of us. There were already probably 1,500 people waiting in the starting line. We heard there was approximately 8,000 participants, so they had to do the “start” several different times. We heard that there were 8 or 9 flights. We were in flight 3. My nerves did not start getting the best of me until they had let flight 2 go through the starting line. Then I was really starting to get antsy and nervous. Kalon and I have worked our tails off for this dang run and I was ready to get it over with. When we were sent across the start line with our massive group of people it was like something lit a fire under my tail. If we would have been running at home I would have been complaining after the first ½ mile, but for some reason I didn’t start to even feel winded until the last corner of the race. Each mile was marked by a different color. Mile one was yellow, mile two was pink, mile three was orange, and the finish was blue. Somewhere in the middle of all that was a water break, but I have no clue where it was squeezed in. I think it was after pink? I know that we grabbed water at the water station, gulped it down, and kept on trucking.

Anxiously awaiting to be released!

The line ahead of us....

And, the line behind us....

Mile One. Yellow.

Mile Two.

Lauren did all her running on her own so we lost her within the first couple minutes. She is a slow and steady kind of gal. You could definitely tell that Kalon and I had been practicing together. We would come up to a slow group of runners/walkers and be divided in half. When we got around the slower group we would magically reappear together. It was the neatest thing. We never left each other’s side. I was so happy that we kept the same pace and stayed together. It was an amazing feeling to complete our goal of running a complete 5K together. We started together and we finished together. I know that there are tons of people that run religiously and complete marathons, and probably think that we have low hopes….. But, we worked our tails off in the 125 degree weather in the Mississippi heat just to finish a 5K without stopping and we did just that. I could have just cried with excitement. I had to take a trillion pictures and call and text everyone I knew would care. I know it probably seems like a small accomplishment to some, but I assure you that we thought we had just won a gold medal.

YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

Accomplished!

Our very own "water boy", Kalon's dad (Jon Ferguson).

Laurie decided to join our party.

Yes, those are pit stains under my arms! Haha... hard work=sweat, right?

A mouthful of happiness.

When we crossed the finish line we met back up with Lauren and all the other Senatobians for photos and festivities.

plus Ashley, Smitty, and Sally

Will you please notice that we not only have a personal water boy, but we also have a personal photographer, Cindy Ferguson... Yes, that is us standing with amazement as she captures the moment.

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!!

It didn't taste as pretty as it looked.

We were still waiting for our gold medals to be delivered.

The lens may have gotten a little dirty?

Kalon's sweet daddy.

Our favorite guy of the day.

The Fabulous Fergusons: a runner, a photographer, and a waterboy

We had such a great time and it was such a great experience. I am so glad that Lauren talked us into doing it. We have already started looking at 10K programs… Maybe one day we will make it to that!