My First 5K

I ran my first 5K today. I never realized or anticipated the variety of the types of people that would be running in this race. So going into it, I my goal was to finish in 40 min or less. After one mile in I would have been happy with 45 or less.

I didn't think that I was ready for this. And I may have been borderline, but I did it. As I approached a sign that said Mile 1 my initial thought was are you fucking kidding me, that was only one mile. Oy, then I figured, ok, so you ran the whole first mile, you aren't really dying right now, so keep running and at some point you can walk for a 2 min interval. I had the intervals going on my ironman watch as I figured that is how I run every day so, I should do what I am used to doing.

I walked once before mile 2 and thought to myself well, I can walk another 2 min interval maybe. I kept pace with a couple of people around me and didn't let them get to far ahead of me. As we approached a sign that divided the 5Kers and the 10Kers (who my friend Crystal was running) I felt some energy burst through me. I thought OMG, I can see the finish line, I can see the finish line. So, I put on a really fast U2 song, Vertigo and hit it when I hit the 3 mile mark. Seeing the finish line and knowing I had .1 miles to go, I really hit it full blast. oh my god, are you kidding me, how in the hell is .1 miles sooooooooo long. I was breathing so heavily, but I didn't care. I was not stopping, I was almost there.

And when I crossed that finish line and got my water and saw my time, I couldn't believe it. I made my goal. I made it in less than 40 min. And I stopped to walk. But I did it. I had knee surgery a year ago and I thought I would not be able to compete in a race. I guess I wouldn't call this competing, but I made my goal. And I intend to keep going. I almost started crying, I felt like throwing up, but as i sat there and watched everyone, I sat alone and couldn't help but feeling a sense of accomplishment. For me, I did this for me.