I've been thinking for several weeks now that I really need to get back to blogging. Why I avoid it I truly don't know. I'm always thankful for the entries I've made, which you'd think would be enough motivation to keep at it, but.....
Since one of my most recent posts was about my new goal of running, I thought I'd give an update - if only for myself!
I finished the Couch to 5K program in March. I finished in time to have three weeks or so before my first race. I signed up on the last possible day before the race entry increased, which was Feb. 28th. To be honest I was waiting to make sure I could first make it through the training!
My first race was April 5th - a 4.2K in the capital. I was both excited and nervous as I picked up my packet on Thursday and got all my gear ready. This was not only my first race, but I was also concerned about the possible language barrier and the fact that I was doing it alone.
We arrived early at the mall to make sure we could find a parking place and so I could find out where I needed to go. They had a snack area with water, sandwiches and some packaged pastries. I picked up a few things even though I didn't have much of an appetite. We sat along the Danube while I tried to chill and Jason and the boys ate. I took a few bites, but didn't want to eat too much since I knew it would be warm and I normally don't eat before I train.
When we had been inside getting the snacks there was a big chart with everyone's name listed, but we couldn't find mine. We talked to someone who said it should be there, but then later someone else said it was fine that it wasn't there. To be honest that got me a little unnerved. Then in addition to that, we had been seeing a lot of people in green shirts with the name of the race sponsor on it. I started to wonder if we were supposed to wear it or if they just were wearing it because they wanted to. I went back inside the snack building again to ask about the shirts. I found out everyone was supposed to get one, though I realized after the race we didn't HAVE to wear it. Since I hadn't gotten one, I got one then, guessing on what size I needed. With the new shirt in hand, Jason began helping me switch over my number and the sign about Boston I had printed to wear on my back. I then had to go find a changing room so I could switch shirts. My nerves were definitely getting a work out!
Jason and the boys found a spot near the starting/finish line. I decided to warm up a little and walked/jogged down the sidewalk lined with restaurants. I hit the bathroom one last time (along with a lot of other ladies) and decided to go get in the start line. Because we had had to post our race time during registration I thought there would be some order according to pace, but instead everyone just lined up where they felt like standing.
Before long the race had officially started, though it took over a minute for me to cross the start line. I tried not to start out too fast for fear of running out of steam (thanks or maybe no thanks to internet article reading), but looking back I think I should have pushed myself a little more. It was a nice, sunny day and everyone seemed to be having a good time. I was thankful I carried a little copy of the route with me because the km were not marked. I still wasn't completely sure how far I had gone, but it did help to have a little idea of what was coming up. Just when I started getting really hot I came around a curve and discovered a man who was spraying cool water out of a hose. It felt great and was just what I needed to perk me up a little bit. My actual start to finish time was 27:52. It felt good to finish, though a little surreal. I had actually done what I had set out to do! This non-runner had actually run a race at "cough" thirty-something, nearing forty years old! I was really happy to get that medal as a great way to remember it.
I had several goals when I started the training program and they were in this order. 1. Finish the program. 2. Sign up for a race. 3. Finish the race. 4. Run the entire race. 5. Finish in under 28 minutes. I'm thankful that God gave me the strength and ability to accomplish all of them in just over three months.
In the month and half since the race I've continued running three times a week. I'm getting faster and getting more confident than I was then. I'm now running a mile in less than 10 minutes. I know that's still slow for some, but for me it's exciting to be in the single digits! I'm able to run non-stop for 30+ minutes, which is something I had a hard time imagining at the beginning. I'll never forget the days I could hardly breathe, had side stitches, my knees ached after a training run, or I couldn't wait until 5 minutes of running was over. It's been neat to see the changes in my body and in my endurance. My clothes are fitting better and some things are even too big now. I've lost a little over eight pounds with six more pounds to go.
I've signed up for two more races - both 5Ks. One is June 6th and the other is July 5th. I'm really looking forward to them both and to putting to use some of the things I learned from my first racing experience and from the weeks of training since.
Here's to many more miles of happy running!
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