I find it funny that my last blog post was shortly after I had officially decided to run a 5k before the end of this year.
I did it. Today.
Did I train consistently? Hardly. I am walking and running proof that something is better than nothing.
Something is ALWAYS better than nothing.
Two nights ago, on Halloween, I laughed as my triathalon running friend and another neighbor discussed our town's upcoming 5k and whether or not they would run it today. One was planning to, with husband and baby in the Bob stroller. Our other friend and I were both on the fence. In fact, I had pretty much decided not to to it by that point. I had slacked on training. Evenings are tough with two kids in school. I have been exercising 1-2 times at week at most for the past 2 months instead of my goal of 3-4.
Something is better than nothing. Trick or treat.
The idea was again implanted in my mind. I remembered setting the goal, telling myself and others that, "If nothing else, there is a 5k that goes through my neighborhood, so I'll run that." It wouldn't stop haunting me. That "what's your excuse?" ghost from past goals and present failures that holds me back far too often. I tried to make the excuses. Then I decided to do it. But I needed accountability. After all, that same 5k has passed my mailbox for 2 years. I have thought, "That's SO great for them. I could never do that." Last year, it was more like, "I just need sleep." This week, my objections were, "I have not trained consistently. I can't find my running belt and I need it to hold my inhaler. I don't know if I can do it. I have not run a full mile yet." (I found it yesterday, and then they gave us another today.)
"I'll just go to Memphis and do the Grizzly House in December." That's the same weekend as my niece's birthday party, not in Memphis. This was my last chance.
Impulsiveness needs confirmation. All my running friends had said find a race, commit. I had held this race in the back pocket of my mind for months, I had no excuse. But I know myself. I am not a morning person, especially on a weekend. I'd rather be sleeping. So what do all passive aggressive procrastinaholics who finally make a decision do? I don't know, but this one jumps on Facebook and enlists other friends. And calls the neighbor who was on the fence alongside me on Halloween night. Trick or Treat. I even set out to do a slow stroll with my 15 month old and did that... 3.3 miles in 58 minutes. (I said I was slow.)
My friends affirmed my decision. Soon, there were 4 of us. I called the event organizers, who said we could have a team rate if there were 4 of us, as mentioned on the website. And I think I dropped the ball and we could have had 5 team members, but I got the #4 stuck in my head and unintentionally blew her off. OR maybe I was intimidated because she is a REAL runner in my mind. (Sorry, other friends, I'm psychoanalyzing here, don't take it personally.) Sigh. Kicking myself because she has been a huge encouragement at various stages of my running journey this past year. Maybe next time.
Anyhow, I am thankful for my support group. I drank water and peed all day yesterday. I went to bed by 10:30 last night. I set my alrarm for 6 and 6:30 am.
I woke up at 4:30, and fell back asleep. I woke up again at 6:50. 10 minutes before registration time. It takes me 10-15 minutes to walk to the park from my house. I had made it clear to my team that I planned to be there to register at 7 because I wanted the T-shirt. My neighbor called as I was getting dressed. She was at our kids' bus stop. My wonderful husband had just made me two eggs really fast, I scarfed them down with some lemonade and a banana, and off I went in the dark. My neighbor met me and we walked the half mile or so to the park together. Our teammates were there, and we registered. I got my number. 3072. My contact lens was inside out. I fixed that, fortunately our park service keeps the bathroom at the park clean enough to not gross me out.
The sun came up while we chatted and waited, and headed down to the starting line. It was a small, friendly town-sponsored race, proceeds going to an educational grant fund and a service dogs' charity. I don't know how many, but my guess is less than 100 runners. We ranged from ages 2 (our neighbors' daughter in her stroller) to 82... ok, maybe not. Probably 72. Young looking 72.
Did I mention that it was a good 1/4 mile walk to the starting line from registration? I had already walked from my house, so what did it matter?
The initial stretch up to my neighborhood entrance is all uphill. My first goal of the race was to actually jog it.
I did. I thought I was going to die at the top, but I did it. My other goals were to run in front of my kids as I passed my house, and finish in under 36 minutes. After taking a walking interval, I ran the 4 houses to them and around the cul-de-sac, then opened my arms and gave them big hugs while my husband took pictures. From our front yard. We had agreed that they would stay home, and as it turned out, baby boy was still asleep. I had not actually RUN 5k since June. I should say I had not actually walked and run 5k. It was barely under 36, and lately my average pace has been between 12-13 min/mile. I walked over that distance in 58 minutes yesterday, albeit a slightly different route. Around 1/3 of the way in, I needed my inhaler desperately. It helped tremendously. I think the cooler air helped, too.
My other first time 5k runner friend and I kept together the first half or so. It was surreal to run my normal route with so many other people. And have people in fuzzy footed smiley face pj's cheering me on. And it was very surreal to hear that my first mile was under 12 minutes... 11 something. By my 2nd mile, I had been running 22 something. That meant my pace was better than I'd expected. I kind of like not having all the techy gear yet, or a smart phone. All I could do was do my best and not worry about it, no clock watching, no guilt tripping, just do it.
The 2nd big hill came just after the halfway point. I tried to run that one, but walked it, as I normally would. I waved at neighbors I did not know and friends I did know as I passed their houses and their kids peered out through their storm doors.
The 2nd half was mostly downhill. A few small slopes, but thankfully no more big extended inclines.
I approached the park, decided to walk.... instead of crawling over the finish line, I wanted to run. So I regained some strength, sipped some water, enjoyed the changing color of the leaves, and smiled as a runner I had been running near passed me and said, "We're almost there... we can do this!"
She passed me, and stayed ahead, but we did it. I pushed harder and faster and experienced that runner's high as I saw my friend's husband waiting with their daughters and he asked where she was. "Not too far back." I kept going. I loved the orange and white balloons over the sidewalk and the HUGE numbers on the time clock as I approached. 34:28 For the first time ever, I experienced that runner's high that everyone talks about.
Trick or Treat?
I'd have to say it was a treat. A big treat. To set aside what so easily entangles and keeps me from pursing goals. To have friends impulsively jump along side and agree to do something less than 2 days in advance. To ignore the excuses that perpetually haunt my mind. To not just meet, but surpass a goal. To give and get hugs at the finish line, and cheer in those who finished behind me.
Yes, my first 5k was definitely a treat. The Krispy Kremes and turkey sandwich and free massage from a chiropractor at the end were not so bad, either.
