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You are here: Home / Run For Your Life / Thoughts On My First 5K

Thoughts On My First 5K

September 10, 2012 By Carole

My first 5K is now a thing of the past and I had a fantastic time. It was hard, don’t get me wrong, but it was rewarding and fun and I’m so glad I did it. Starting out with good friends like Jo-Ann, Manise, and Helen, as well as fellow Kiwanians Charlie and Susan had me on a high from the minute we got to the parking lot. And having Dale and my dear friend Anne there as my cheering squad, plus knowing all of you were cheering me on from your seats at home, really motivated me to do my absolute best.

I had some goals going into the race and the most important one was to finish. After that I was hoping to not finish last. And to maybe finish in less than 50 minutes. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run the entire length of the course (even though I had secret fantasies that had me doing just that) but I hoped I’d be able to at least run half and walk half.

Here comes the best part of this post:

I met all my goals. I finished, of course, and my time was 44:24, almost 6 minutes under my goal of 50:00. My pace was 14:19/M, a personal best for me. I walked about half the race and, although I was slightly disappointed that I didn’t run more, I knew it was for the best given the high humidity of the day. The course wasn’t difficult and I made up my mind before I started that I would walk the hills and inclines, knowing that I’d get out of breath if I tackled those running. I was smart and practical and it worked out well for me. I will say that parts of the course were a little bit lonely for me. We had all separated into our own paces and I was near the back and sort of alone. There weren’t a lot of people cheering from the sidelines and I wasn’t listening to music and, while my commitment never wavered, I definitely felt a little isolated. Once I hit that last mile, though, I felt much better. I knew I was going to finish and I knew my time was going to be better than I had anticipated. I had planned on running that whole last mile but the heat and humidity made me realize I didn’t have it in me so I walked until I was about a half mile from the finish line. I saw my friend Anne and then I saw Dale and I heard someone (I realized afterwards that it was Manise) screaming my name and telling me I could do it and – even though I was sweaty and tired and hot – I put everything I had into those last few yards.

It felt awesome. Okay, mostly it felt awesome to stop but still, awesome is the appropriate word.

Helen and Jo-Ann were just a few minutes behind me and once we all finished and drank some water and cooled down a bit the really fun part started. We swapped stories about the things that happened along the race route. We talked about the houses we saw and the little kid who was all alone in front of his house clapping for every runner. We shared what it felt like when the winner of the 10K went by all of us so fast we caught a breeze as he passed. We told each other about our own personal failures and triumphs. And we pledged to do better next time.

And of course there’s going to be a next time. If all goes according to schedule I will be running a race right here in my home town on October 14th. And by then I will have completed the Couch25K program which will help build my endurance and stamina. Even with those goals in mind, though, I’m still pretty proud of myself for completing this race, especially when I remember how far I have come. On May 22nd I couldn’t run for 30 seconds and on September 8th I ran the better part of 5K.

Thank you to Dale for taking all of these photos. And thanks to all of you for the support, for cheering me on, for encouraging me with your comments and emails, and for being the best readers a blogger could ever ask for.

 

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Comments

  1. Tammy/psmflowerlady says

    September 10, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Yay!!! Fist pumping. End zone dancing. You be one B.A. RUNNER! Congratulations!

  2. elizabeth says

    September 10, 2012 at 3:44 pm

    I can’t even begin to tell you how fabulous you are!!!!

  3. kathy b says

    September 10, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Hooray I KNEW YOu could

  4. Mary says

    September 10, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Well done!! Way To Go!!

  5. Cyndy says

    September 10, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Congratulations!

  6. Margie says

    September 10, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    Thanks to that beautiful smile in the last picture, I went off to the Y this morning and had the best workout in a long time. Not only did the workout go well, but I have managed to control my food intake. It feels like you inspired me to really begin on getting rid of the 60 pounds my doctor wants me to lose.

    Congratulations!!

  7. Suzanne says

    September 10, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Congrats Carole! Great job.

  8. Kathode Ray Tube says

    September 10, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Carole, congratulations! You put a lot of hard work and sticking with it to make this happen! Bully for you.

  9. Vicki says

    September 10, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    Congratulations, Carole! That is just freakin’ awesome!! Looking forward to more and greater success.

  10. Julia in KW says

    September 10, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    Awesome job! as someone who cheers on a runner in her family but who does not enjoy running herself – I say BRAVO! onward and upward! excellent accomplishment!!!

  11. jill says

    September 10, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    This is my ALL time favorite post on Caroleknits EVER! I am bursting with enthusiasm and joy for you, Carole! 🙂

  12. Martha says

    September 10, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    Congratulations, Carole! I am so impressed. I can hardly run around the block!

  13. Beth says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:14 am

    I really enjoyed reading about your race! You did so well and I am very proud of you and pleased for you. You’re doing great!!!

  14. Hillary says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:46 am

    Inspiring! That’s all I’ve got.

  15. Susan says

    September 11, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Congratulations, Carole. That is a wonderful accomplishment. You have come a l-o-n-g way since last May, and you should be very pleased and proud.

  16. lisa says

    September 12, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    I am so SO SO impressed! While I’m in pretty decent shape, I pretty much LOATHE running and totally admire people who aren’t athletic who take it up. I probably would have been running and walking with you! Running is hard work, way to go!!

  17. kmkat says

    September 13, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    (chiming in late) Go, you!

  18. Barbara S says

    September 14, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Fabulous….congratulations!

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