5k

Yesterday I did something that I never thought I would be able to do, let alone choose to do.

I rolled out of bed at 4:30 in the morning, got dressed, and went to run a 5k race with about a thousand other people. I ran 3.1 miles without stopping, without walking, and without throwing up. It was a slow 3.1 miles, but I did it, and I’m pretty proud.

I could spend a lot of time talking about how every gym teacher I ever had did a shitty job by letting me think I couldn’t do this (by expecting me to just “run a mile” immediately—not really possible for most people). Instead, I’m just going to be happy that I did it and start training for the 4.2 mile run I have in April.

Things I didn’t see coming:

1. I didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to run a new route. I hated not knowing what was next, or how close I was to being done… you know, other than the mile markers.
2. I didn’t anticipate wanting to take off like a jack rabbit like everyone around me. It was challenging to stop myself, and keep a slow and steady pace. I’m glad I did, because by mile two I was passing the people who had flown by me in mile one, because they had to walk.

Things I need to figure out before next time:

1. How to not have to pee 3 times before the race starts.
2. What I can eat that won’t make me throw up, but will keep me from sprinting across the finish line saying, “I feel kinda woozy.”

Race photos haven’t been posted yet. Maybe I’ll post them once I see them, maybe.

p.s. Please note I didn’t include my time in this post. I had three goals going into this thing: 1. Finish. 2. Run the whole thing, no walking. 3. Don’t be last. I did all three, goal achieved.