My First 5k

Originally Submitted on 10/17/2011

 

Yesterday, 10/16/11, I ran my first 5k. I parked a little over a mile away from the park where the run was going to start. It was convenient because I was able to completely avoid traffic, and it provided a measure of safety since it was in my company's secured lot. I arrived at the park at approximately 11:30. The run was not to start until 1PM.

While I waited, I met up with other individuals from within my company. It was a sponser for this particular race, so we had a table set aside. I signed in, received my number and chip, and waited in the increasingly hot sun discussing running for newbies and why it isn't a good idea to break away from the run to attend the local bar. I have to thank John and his partner, Eric, for that little doosey of a gem!

I lined up in the streets for the race at 1PM, but it would still be another 15 minutes before the horn sounded to signal the start of the race. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was 85 degrees, and thankfully the humidity was low. To top it off, there was a slight hint of a breeze. Hey, anything helps right?

The horn sounded loud and clear, and we were off. My fastest time had been 33:50 on a 5k. I was hoping for 30:00 flat. The first thing we ran up was a hill. It leveled off eventually and we ran relatively flat for a good portion of the race. I knew that there was going to be a hill that would filter out many of the runners, so I conserved my energy and actually managed to maintain about a 9:48 pace. However, the hill came up and it was worse than I had previously imagined. It slowed me down tremendously, so my goal ceased to be about the time it took to clear the hill. My goal was to simply not to stop! "Do not walk," is what I kept telling myself. It was tough, but the hill was cleared and I passed many people that had been far ahead of me in the race that had either started walking or stopped altogether.

The remainder of the race was at a slight decline. I was able to pick my speed up a little, but not enough to get me under the 30 minute mark, unfortunately. I cleared the race in 31:47, at least 2 minutes faster than my previous record. There were people there that I would never beat in a race, but my competition was myself so I felt great either way!

The thing that surprised me is the mix of volunteers and neighborhood folk that you pass along the route that cheer you on! It was so encouraging to see all of the people that had come out to support the cause and the runners. I have another 5k this weekend. I won't be trying for 30 officially, but it would be good if I could somehow pull it off! Wish me luck!

The Power of Will

A few days ago, I tried a new path to run on near my work place. The first leg of the run was excellent. It was mostly downhill but the grade wasn't steep enough to make it too easy of a run. The sky was cloudy and there was a light drizzle, but it was still an enjoyable run because it was new. Besides having to splash through a few muddy puddles and avoid the occasional walker armed to the teeth with umbrellas, I did pretty well.

 The second leg was not so enjoyable. I had to dodge bikers speeding down the sidewalks that seemed to have been built for single occupancy. I was beginning to get a bit winded because I was already at 2 miles that had been ran in record time according to my Runkeeper application faithfully updating me on my phone. Sweat was making my clothes wet and heavy, but thankfully there was no chaffing! All of this is just part of doing business when running, but what happens when you encounter the biggest hill you have ever had the privilege of traversing? What happens when the hill is at least a half mile long? Well, you have some people that are fit enough to blast up that hill like there is no tomorrow without thinking twice about it. Overwhelmingly, however, you have people like me!

 I am not a small guy. I'm 6'2" and 264 pounds. I'm moving a lot of weight when I run and am breathing like the whistle of a locomotive when I run. You will hear me way before you see me. You will feel the hot wind I generate in my wake as I pass you at a modest 10 minute per mile pace. The weight is a challenge when you see a hill like the one I encountered, but I had a secret weapon: Will Power!

 So there I was! I was approaching the biggest hill I had ever run. It smiled down at me sinisterly, smartly promising me that it was going to do everything in its power to stop me. The flames of the downwind breeze blasted me in the face while the uneven sidewalks mocked that they would give me no rest; no quarter for my troubles. I was cocky. I was confident. These weapons were strong enough to get me a quarter of the way up the hill. The harsh concrete sidewalk sent shocks up my thighs causing them to burn with the fierceness of a thousand suns. The rain picked up from a drizzle and the clouds gathered a bit closer; A bit darker; A bit more sinister. The hill mocked me as my pace began to slow from this beating. My mind began to betray me with phrases like "You've gone so far already; surely you can take a small break?" The hill constantly reminded me that I have so much farther to go in order to conquer it. 

Halfway up I was sweating harder, breathing heavier, and had slowed down by at least a minute. I passed a tantalizing bench that offered solace and rest for the weary. I drearily pressed on. One of my feet threatened to stop altogether. There was no pain, only fatigue. Suddenly from the deepest depths of my heart something told me "You know what you have to do. You know where you are trying to be. You will not get there if you stop now. You will regret it for many nights to come!" I said screw this, but in more colorful language. I was suddenly infused with the Will to make it to the finish line, even if I embarrassingly passed out from the process. My legs stopped complaining. My posture got its act together.  My breathing decided to succumb to better regulation. The hill began to get smaller and it suddenly disappeared to a wonderful, flat, horizon! Will Power had saved the day once again!

You will often encounter challenges even greater than these. Remember those who are far heavier than you who are out there busting their butts to get their health in order.  Remember those without limbs that still work out everyday. Remember the mom who, despite a disorder that will not allow her to lose weight, still gets out and swims 3 miles every morning. Remember that your enemy is the excuse and the regret later. Now get your ass out there and be awesome. Awesome is not relative to those whom you admire, it is relative to yourself. Have a good day!