Today, my friends, was my very first 10k. Not just my very first 10k, but my very first race! I had wanted to train for a half marathon this year, but the one I am in love with the idea of running was booked out too far in advance. So I figured I would throw some 10k’s under my belt, so that next year I can register early and run the half!
Well, I’ll say, that race was quite the experience. I never knew the feeling of standing in a crowd of hundreds of people, waiting for a whistle to blow-and we’re off! The feeling of pride, trying to pass people and not be passed by people. Following the group up and down hills, along the streets, through parking lots. The feeling of praying multiple times, because I was sure my jello legs were going to give right out! The feeling of keeping a pace that I would never push myself to do when I run on my own!
I tell you what though, if anything has motivated me to try harder and gain endurance, this race is it! Now that I know what to expect, I have big plans of more races in the near future. Big plans of running harder, farther, more hill-filled courses to prepare myself better. Big plans, I tell you!
Oh and I did make a new friend in the race. Let’s call her my motivator. A tall, leggy girl in a bright pink shirt that ran alongside of me practically the whole race. I found myself constantly thinking, Gotta keep up with legs! (That’s what I named her, see, because she was so tall with such long runner legs!)Oh, and not just her, but also the groups of people that randomly littered the sidewalks to cheer for us. Sweet grandma’s and grandpa’s that clapped and hooted and yelled out, “You inspire us!”. Oh boy, if that won’t keep you running I don’t know what will!
Okay but really, guys, I know that 6.whatever miles isn’t amazing or anything. And in my defense, there were some pre-TTy hefty hills to run in this one! Okay, one pretty hefty hill… But I’m just saying…nothing can prepare you for the rush you feel at your first real race! It’s fabulous!
And also, although I could have been much more prepared for the race, I did make some huge sacrifices for it. Like last night, when we went to the Utah State football game (Which was THE BEST, by the way!! Love my Aggies!!). First I was offered a cherry coke-a cherry coke, for heavens sake! It stared me down in its cold can, with cold water droplets sliding down the sides…daring me to drink it’s heavenly refreshing goodness! But I managed to bypass that coke for a not-even-remotely-as-satisfying-boring-old pink lemonade. And then! Oh, and then-there was the popcorn. If you know me, you know of my unhealthy addiction to popcorn! And sporting events, well they are the perfect places to buy overpriced buckets of buttery goodness and munch while watching the game. Even when husband handed me a $5 bill and told me to go buy myself something, I somehow found the willpower to give him back his money and say no thanks. To his shocking surprise, AND mine, really. And even when the man next to me OFFERED me some popcorn, holding that blue bucket right in front of my face and waving around the smell of fresh buttery salt (rude!), I STILL refused! Oh my goodness, that in itself was much harder than running 6 miles. I deserve a medal just for that.
Well anyway, I’ve just rambled much haven’t I? So sorry, I tend to do that sometimes. Er, all of the time…
The point is, today was miserable fun. Did you know you can be miserable and have fun all at the same time? Well, you can. And if you don’t believe me, go sign up for a race. THEN you will really know what I mean!
PS I got to eat a juicy, fresh peach following my race, and my goodness if you want to get excited for fall, go get yourself a fresh peach right now! Can I get a hooray for peach season?!!
That is so awesome Meghan! I have never been a runner, but I have had a goal for a couple of years to run a whimpy 5k. People laugh at me when I tell them that I am training for a 5K, because for a lot of people that would be a piece of cake. You have inspired me to try harder to reach my goal. Good luck on training for the 1/2 marathon. You will do great!
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