5K? No way or all day?

So I started a slow 5K process with my coach back in 2022. My first 5K was Santa To The Sea in Oxnard, CA. Crappy rainy cold conditions. But I made it!

Since then I have done several including Run Malibu and the Great Race in Agoura. Each one has been a different experience — different terrain, different weather, different crowds. But the feeling at the finish line is always the same: pure, uncomplicated joy.

I never thought of myself as a runner. I was always the person who said "I only run if something is chasing me." But here I am, lacing up my shoes a few times a week and genuinely looking forward to it.

My coach has been incredible — patient, encouraging, and realistic about what my body can do. We're not trying to win anything. We're just trying to keep moving, stay healthy, and have a little fun along the way.

Next up: I'm eyeing a race in the fall. More details to come. If you're a runner and have suggestions for great 5Ks in the Southern California area, drop me a line!