Back in March I decided I wanted to become a runner. Me. Run.. who would have ever put those two thoughts in the same sentence? If there is one thing people probably know about me, it is that I am not athletic… Nope, not me. I never even had p.e. in high school (due to my scoliosis surgery). However, earlier this spring I was motivated by some friends and family I know who had taken up running and I decided I wanted to have a runners body so I can have a runners appetite. Plain and simple, that was my motivation! haha
I started the famed c25k program (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml). And surprisingly enough, I worked myself up from the couch and 3 days a week I followed the program and by June or so, I was able to run a 5k. I prefer to run in the evenings, because in Texas, it’s so dang hot during the days. The nights are a little better and truth be told, no one can see me in my spandex running outfit! haha
Off I went. My family had their doubts, but you see, although I am not athletic, I am extremely goal oriented and super competitive. So I challenged myself to do this and did it I did! I was very proud of myself. After I finished the program people started asking me “when are you going to run a 5K race?”… what??? Why do I have to do a race if I”m already doing it? Apparently, I need to make it official. I had many people tell me how fun the races are and how exciting the energy is and blah blah blah!
So…I signed up for a fun run. Our high school hosts a 5k run each September and I thought this would be a good race for me. After all, it’s a “fun” run… right??? oh dear! no! fun? uh I don’t think so.
Here I am at my first (and possibly last) 5k Fun Run Race
Saturday morning I woke up at 6:20 a.m. – this was the first “not” fun event of the day. I mean really? Saturday morning at 6:20 A.M.?? geez, that’s early. I got to the high school and saw a lot of my friends. (who are all runners!) I also saw a lot of my mom friends – who are not runners and were not running, they were there to cheer on their kiddos… Usually, that’s my role… But not this time. I started getting nervous wondering, what have I done…??? The next not “fun” part of the day was it was soooo hot and humid! and the big ol’ Texas sun was pounding down on me saying “good morning”… I was sweating before I even took my first step. (and I don’t sweat!) This was making me a little nervous too…. but carry on I did.
They asked for the speedy runners to make their way up to the front of the pack – I made my way to the back 🙂 The gun popped and off we went. Now this is where being ultra competitive does not work to a non-athletes advantage… Everyone was at a pace to “win”. I got caught up in the excitement and tried to keep pace too. (silly me). I ran my first mile in 11 minutes! That’s a record breaker for this non-runner. Then came mile 2 and I was done… nah, I kept going.. It was so hot and a little old lady was beating me! That pushed me again and I zipped along… I couldn’t stand it when people would pass me. Then when I was wondering what am I doing here, the song from the Glee Soundtrack – Dancing With Myself – came on.
I’m dancing with myself. I’m dancing with myself. Well there’s nothing to lose and there’s nothing to prove and I’ll be dancing with myself.
I love when just the right song comes on at the right time! Yes, I was dancing WITH myself, FOR myself. So I slowed down to my usual pace and kept on trucking… then came mile 3… pant pant sweat sweat…. oh goodness running directly into the sun! I was soo hot… sooo thirsty! My friend SD told me don’t drink the water at water stations throw them on your head. So I did that and it felt good. But then I looked like I had sweat through my shirt and that made me laugh b/c I realized I was feeling vein! In my spandex! what?? oh goodness… keep running, finally I hit a wall and thought please don’t barf. So I turned on the power walk and passed that little ol’ lady! then she passed me… darn it!
I got to the final 400 yards of the run and there was my sweet, sweet hubby with a big smile and the camera! “come on!” he said “you can do it!” Then he pointed out the little ol’ lady and told me to at least beat her! That made me laugh. We think so alike. go mama go!
God bless! I made it to the finish line. Another “runner” friend came up and gave me a big hug – (I am not much into sweaty hugging, but whatever, I was proud to be in the “runners” world for a brief moment).
So, what did I think? Well, if nothing else, it’s official. I ran a 5k race. I learned 3 things.
1.) I prefer running in the evening
2.) I am way too analytical of a thinker to be running in a race with 1024 other runners…. I have to get out of my head.
3.) I did not think this was a “fun” run!
lol -one final note. Overall I was a little disappointed with my run. I thought I’d do better since I have been leisurely doing this for months… so, who knows… I might just have to do one more to prove that I can do it the right way! I think I made some rookie mistakes, and I’m all about the learning. So, I’ll keep on running my evening 5ks and see where it gets me to… but if nothing else, I can now say I officially ran a 5k race.
the end.
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