Walkers in the back and Runners in the Front

I can do this!!! I can do this!!!!
I blend into the crowd as I wait for the 10k walk/ run for St. Jude's on this cold Saturday morning. The announcer says, “ walkers in the back and runners in the front”. Well, I wasn't sure where I should get, so I ease my way to the back. As the wait counts down to five minutes before run, I move up to the center. I can do this!!! I say that over and over to myself, stretch a bit, time clock is ticking , ease up again. Anthem is played, prayer is said, I can do this is playing in my head like a broken record.
Three…..Two….One…the crowds moving….I’m running, slow, get a easy pace….I’m running! I run 4 blocks, ease to a fast walk, run again, walk again. Before I know it I am looking at the 5k turn around. I keep going and I realize I don't see anyone. Did I mess up? Where is everyone? I saw people passing, coming and going before I passed that 5k point. Run, walk, run….I can do this. Finally, I see  a water table. The small crowd cheer me on….you can do this they chant!
I pass the three mile, run, walk, run, walk up two hills. Where is everyone? I see a hand full of walkers ahead. Down hill now. Run some more. Police car rides beside me, rolls the window down and tells me as he's rolling….”Your doing good, you can do this, your almost there”….
What's that I see ahead? The finish line! I am running, I  hear the cheers….I run threw the open with the banner above that reads… FINISH LINE!
I did it!!! I did it!!!! I have walked half and ran half of my first 10k. The Energy, the pride, the excitement….I hear the announcer say….” That winds up our 3nd Annual Minden St. Jude 5K & 10K run/ walk for the children of St. Jude.

I did it, I was the last one…..But I did it! I finished with 1:19.