This past weekend I 'ran' the Run For Your Heroes 5K sponsored by the Raleigh Policy Department. Although everyone seems to think I can run, I can verify (and past posts will back me up) that I am not a runner. However, I would love to be a runner and be able to just go out in the morning for a run. So, several weeks ago I joined a Couch to 5K program through the Cary YMCA. A group met every Tuesday with a running coach and several running mentors. Slowly but surely I was able to increase my distance until I was able to consistently 'run' a 5K for about 3 weeks straight and on race day I finished with my personal best time!
The run was not easy. It was hard to maintain my personal pace with everyone passing me. It was also hard to see little kids sprinting past me. But with my headphones in and my playlist going I slowed myself down until I got to the halfway mark. I then picked up my speed a bit trying to get a good time, but also trying to make sure I would not burn out too fast. When I turned the corner and saw the finish I began to sprint I was so excited... I quickly slowed my pace when I realized I could not maintain that through to the finish and then picked it up again when I was about 4 blocks away. Crossing the finish felt really great and I was able to pass people on my run to the finish, which sort of felt like redemption for the start of the race.
I need to disclose that I am a very slooooow runner, but at this point I am just happy to have completed the race. The next hurdle will be the Lawyers Have Heart 10K in Washington, D.C. The good news is that I 'ran' 4.5 miles earlier this week and felt great. I will also continue training at the YMCA on my own. My goal is to just finish the run without walking, which I have never done in the past and even though I know some of those 'fast walkers' will be passing me, I will just turn the headphones up and run my own race!
No comments:
Post a Comment