For a couple of years I have done a healthy living challenge called "Be Great in Eight" (BGI8). Through these eight week challenges I have managed to lose and keep off about 25 pounds since turning 40 (there it is: that was my incentive. I wanted to be fit and 40; not fat and 40). Part of BGI8 is exercise and as a challenge to myself, I have done a "Couch to 5K" (C25K) running program off an on over the years. I have never completed the 'program'. I ran my longest runs when I was in ND in April/May...but I don't know if actually ran 3.2 miles. My friend, Kelly, was also doing this BGI8 thing and the C25K workouts. Earlier this spring - after she'd already booked her week in SoCal - we had this great idea: let's meet in Carlsbad and find a 5K to run on the 4th of July. I was actually really excited about it - we found the perfect one for us: we could run in our pajamas and they gave us wine at the end! So Kelly, being the researcher she is, did the inquiry and looking and asking about the event....and to my relief: the event didn't happen - and Kelly hurt her ankle. See, the real truth is: I was chicken to run a 5K. I was chicken to run in public. I was afraid I would not be able to run that far. So I was truly relieved that this event didn't happen and I had dodged the bullet.
That was back in April or May. The day before I am to leave for Newport Beach - and she for Carlsbad, Kelly and I exchanged a series of texts about a 5K she 'found' in Huntington Beach -- just up the road from Newport. Would I like to do it? Well, I was so excited! Absolutely I would do it! It'll be fun! I can do anything! We'll run the morning of the 4th then spend the day in Huntington Beach at the parade and activities and fireworks that night. It'll be great! Then I put my phone down and said, "WHAT DID I JUST SAY?" Scott had about the same look on his face and my mind was already saying, "How can I get out of this?" I left for Newport Beach. Kelly left for Carlsbad and we agreed that she'd go for a run Sunday morning and if it went well, we'd do it. I would go for a run on Sunday morning and if Kelly's run went well, we'd do it.
I sent this picture to Kelly Saturday night and said, "I hope your run is terrible tomorrow!" It wasn't. Her run felt good. She felt good and she was registering us for the Surf City 5K and I was scared out of my mind. My Sunday morning run went fine as well - I knew I could do it. My concern was that I was pretty sure I would pee my pants while running that far. I was good for 20 minutes of running, then I really had to pee. Thank heavens there were bathrooms on the beach when I was running!
July 3 I went to pick up or race materials: badge, chip, t-shirt....there was a crowd. My stomach felt sick. I was nervous already - probably because I had been vacationing for the week and not training for the run.
There's no getting out of it now. We have the t-shirt! |
I asked the nice lady how early I would need to be there for our 8:00 run and she said... "It will be crowded. If you're going to park....I would say about 6 a.m.?" Kelly was not happy about that early hour....but they picked me up and we were there plenty early - and Chris easily found a parking spot at his friend's house. Kelly and I wandered around and watched the other race until it was finally our turn to start. Of course we took pictures. The only person who likes to take more pictures than me is Kelly!
Away we went - and it felt good to run. The whole thing went pretty quickly and I finished with a time I was pleased with. Official chip time: 33:35; Pace: 10:48; Class Rank: 53/112.
Some of you will look at that and scoff. Go ahead. This will be my 'base' for any races I run in the future (yes, I admit it: I will be brave enough to do another)...and should be fairly easy to improve - as long as the weather is nice and the course is flat! I know I lost time by doing several things: 1.) turning around and running backwards to tell Kelly something shortly after we started (won't do that again!). 2.) taking my phone off my armband so I could take pictures. 3.) peeing. Yes. I had to stop to pee. 4.) taking more pictures.
It was a good time. Chris picked us up - wait, no, we had to walk at least a mile to the car, which was a good cool down. We didn't stay for the parade. We didn't stay for activities. We didn't stay for fireworks. For heavens sake, the beach was packed, there were lines to park. Those people should have been there at 6 a.m.
I won't scoff at your time. Afterall, I was eating your dust the entire race! :) I am really proud of you, Zona! And I am a grateful to have such a great friend with whom I can check off some of my bucket list items. :)
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