Live, Love, Run...Part 2

I wake up at 5:45am, then 5:54am, then again at 6:03am. I am beginning to see what my kids mean about my alarm. I am getting on my own nerves. Get up girl!! Quit with the snooze button already! Get the fuzzies out of your brain and remember what today is. It. Is. Race. Day!!! You have been working towards this since May:  My first official 5k.

My brain is awake now thinking even if the rest of me is still resisting getting out of this comfy bed.  I know I won't finish first unless by some miracle my feet grow wings and a 5 minute/mile average happens. But I don't want to finish last either. Middle of the pack seems okay to me. But I do have to get out of bed first. 

Checking out the pin job. Smile. Look confident!

I smile and now wide awake, I bound out of bed; I can't tell if my heart is beating faster because I'm feeling happy or nervous. Probably both. I had my clothes laid out last evening and my racing bib ready to pin on. The perfectionist in me wants to pin and re-pin until I get it on perfectly straight. I tilt my head. Hmmm...maybe it is just me who is crooked.

Okay, pinned...✔...now move on...what's next? Water. Drink 16 oz now so that all the inevitable pit-stops happen before the race and not during. Fickle bladder anyhow. Of course, that could potentially make me run faster; is that why there are porta-potties positioned close to the finish line?
Dressed...✔
Water...✔
Hair...ponytail or just do a headband? I'll be different. Just a headband...✔
On to the Breakfast of Champions: an English muffin with butter and strawberry jam and fruit. And one bite of scrambled eggs for good measure. I'll skip the coffee (shocking, I know!). If water causes pit-stops,  coffee causes pit-stops x2. Or #2. Okay, TMI. Nope, skipping the coffee.

This whole race thing is new to me and I have no idea what the proper etiquette is sometimes never. I'm a little unsure of having my number pinned on already. I look too eager (but I am eager!). I look like a newbie (uh, I am a newbie). I wore a cardigan to breakfast, you know, to not stand out in the crowd of the two other people eating breakfast. Breakfast...✔.

We set off to the Coliseum up the road as I still need to figure out where Corral #3 is and I want to walk a bit and stretch. I've avoided serious injury to myself so far and I would really like that trend to continue; I've had enough physical therapy this year. I get out of the car and I'm feeling a little more nervous and unsure. I can see it in the pictures my husband is happy to snap on his phone to commemorate this occasion. I see the hesitant smile and the shoulders and head not quite held high. I kind of want to melt into the crowd in Corral #3 as we await 0800 and the blast of the starting horn.

Early to arrive, trying to muster confidence before the Corrals fill with racers.

Can I outrun the baby strollers? Now I am nervous

0800: Corral #1 is off and running and the word cheetah comes to mind. Not quite my speed. Corral #2 is let loose with a cheer from the crowd and then my Corral steps into place. I have some music playing in my ears with a good tempo but I still hear the air horn and WE ARE OFF!

Honestly, I have never been able to run the entire 3.1 miles without a few walk breaks or stopping to grab a drink of water (me running + drinking at the same time = choking and sputtering) I was hoping today would be the day I'd be able to do it. The challenge to myself was on! I thought of this as I ran and so many other things. I recognized that there was a certain energy present that you just can't get when you run alone and it was amazing! I thought the amount of people running would be intimidating, but it was those people that made it ridiculously fun. I loved the variety of ages and all the different outfits, some crazy and colorful and others more traditional. I'd never really seen running skirts before but I'm thinking of sewing up some to wear with my leggings. Fun!! Everyone was so happy to be here, myself included. Well, maybe not the one guy at the finish line throwing up in the garbage can, but other than that...

5(k) Lessons Learned:
1.) Running a 5k is fun. Simple but true, at least for me. Note, I didn't say easy, because it hasn't been easy when my ankles hurt, my knee hurt, my thigh hurt, my foot hurt (not all at the same time thank God!), and I felt like I'd never ever get the hang of breathing. There were times I really thought I must be a little insane to be starting to run after all these years.

2.) Perseverance pays off. The point in the race that I most wanted to just slow down and walk was the last leg of it. I could see the finish line off to my left, but before I could get there I had to make a large loop through part of the parking lot. It looked way too long and felt like way too much at that point and I did think about stopping for a wee break. Then, determination kicked in and I pushed myself to do it.

Determination!!

3.) Strive to be as confident as you are after a race, before the race begins. I liked looking at the before and after pictures. What a difference! Head up, shoulders back and smile!!

4.) It is okay to feel proud of an accomplishment, really it is! When all the work put into something (running or whatever it is for you) pays off, go ahead and feel awesome!

 

Crossing the Finish Line and I'm looking to see if I can see my favorite cheerleader Leo

5.) I'm still learning and growing. I don't always have great running times. I still have times that I look and sound like I need oxygen. I will probably always look a little funny when I run. Having a goal to work towards is inspiring. I like to keep looking ahead to what's next. Onward and Upward always, in running, in my career, with my family, with my dreams.

Love,
Dianne

P.S. Looking forward to the next one! November 5th in Columbus for the Hot Chocolate 5k with Adrienne by my side.