LeeAdianez Rodriguez-Espada, a 12-year-old girl from New York, has almost zero running experience.
Now, I realize running doesn’t take “experience” — it just takes two legs to physically move — but LeeAdianez started training only two months ago. She was training for a 5K, which is just over 3 miles, and she left ready to try her first race this past weekend except she entered the wrong race.
LeeAdianez entered a HALF MARATHON and not a 5K.
LeeAdianez Rodriguez-Espada – who goes by Lee – rushed to the starting line Sunday morning because she thought she was late to the race.
“The man told me I could jump in with this group of runners,” she said.
So she jumped in, quickly finding someone to pace alongside; but after about four miles, she felt like something was wrong.
“I asked her how long it was,” Lee said, “and she said, ‘Like 13 miles,’ and that’s when it struck me I was in the half-marathon instead of the 5K.”
So instead of stopping, or freaking out like the typical 12-year-old, Lee just ran the race. Unfortunately, her family wasn’t aware of the change of plans and THEY FREAKED OUT when she didn’t cross the finish line with the rest of the 5K runners.
Brendalee Espada, Lee’s mom, had been watching runner after runner finish. “It was 1:30, she isn’t crossing the line, the half marathon people are coming already and less from the 5K are coming,” Brendalee said, describing the scene.
Brendalee said that was when police and race organizers got involved. They were trying to track Lee down by using the chip on her bib – but it hadn’t registered that she even started running.
Naturally, mom lost her shit until the announcer started rattling off the names of people about to finish the race and here comes Lee chugging toward the finish. Mom cried and hugged her daughter and Lee explained where the hell she’d been.
Her time? 2:43! The average half marathon time for women is 2:21 and this young girl with virtually no training just cranked out 13 miles like “BFD!”
“I’m really proud,” said Lee.
[via WHAM]