We did it.

After an unseasonably warm October morning of 10Ks, 5Ks and a 1-mile fun run, everyone that participated in the Run for Kenya races on Saturday crossed the finish line in a major accomplishment.

I had not participated in a long-distance race in forever, so this 10K was enough to make me scared the entire time.

After an hour and some odd minutes, I finally crossed the finish line, and let me just say that it was very difficult for me mentally to go another lap while watching the 5K racers go through the finish line arch first.

There were a few things I realized during this run. One is that I never thought I would be so happy to see a water station, sometimes drivers don’t seem to care if you are in a race that is on Dallas Avenue and will nearly run over you anyway and calf muscle cramps are no fun.

I had always heard horror stories of runners’ legs cramping and completely ruining their time. Having a weightlifting background, this whole set of runner problems was like a foreign language to me.

The runners I have trained with had all of these remedies ranging from pickle juice to these gummy candy packs that were supposed to help with leg cramps.

All I knew is that the gummy candy tasted like a margarita so I was immediately a fan of those.

When I experienced my leg muscle cramp, I was nearly done with the race. I had about a block to go, and just needed to go around the corner of the courthouse to the glorious arch and the water bottle that waited for me.

It was a mental game at that point.

My legs hurt so bad but I had to breathe through the pain, and awkwardly do what was some form of a run the last few tenths of the mile left.

After I got up off the sidewalk, my publisher told me the best thing ever, which was the Tally-Ho food truck was here.

Fast forward to me breathing through the pain of leg cramps again, and I have a basket with a Cholula Burger and sweet potato fries under the shade of the Selma Times-Journal tent and I was happy.

Fast forward a little bit more, and my name is called out for second place in my age division (20-29) for the 10K times.

I totally was not expecting that, but talk about a major accomplishment.

Anyone at Selma CrossFit can tell you that I’m horrible at running, but Saturday’s race made me enjoy it slightly more than usual.

It was such a good event, and I’m proud that so many people came out to support it.

I also need more of those Cholula Burgers in my life.