This week I met a personal goal of mine. I ran my first, official 5K. I went home for Thanksgiving and I happened to be there when my college held its 5K. I never did it when I lived there. I was never confident enough in my running to sign up. I decided this would be a perfect first 5K. It’s fairly small and benefits a place I love. My dad decided to do it with me also. He ran with me the entire time even though he could have run faster.
I wasn’t fast but I did complete it quicker than I predicted. I said I would do it in 36 minutes. I completed in 33:30:15. That is a pace of 10:47 per mile.
Here is the line-up:
I looked through all the Facebook pics but couldn’t see myself in any. Oh well.
The race was so much fun. Everything I read about the adrenaline rush was so true! It was also fun to have people cheering you on. I was so glad I signed up for it. I also got my dad back into running. He has taken it back up. 🙂
I also signed up for another race, on Thanksgiving. The closer it got to the big day, the more nervous I became. This race was 5 miles. 5 miles! What was I thinking?? I haven’t run 5 miles in over a year. I was super worried that my asthma would become a problem, my legs would die or I’d end up walking the entire thing.
I surpassed my expectations and surprised myself. I ran the entire 5 miles. I ran it in less time than I had figured. I had given myself 55-60 minutes to finish. I figured I did a 10:48 pace for the 5K and I might have to walk a bit so I figured 11-12 minute mile average pace. Well, I finished in 54:05. Under my estimate! I am quite proud of myself. I was so worried and nervous the day before but I felt great completing the 5 miles!
I wanted to do the 5 miles to prove to myself I could do it. I’m glad I did it.
I also couldn’t find myself in the Facebook pics but here is what we saw on the last leg:
That would be the mighty Mississippi over there. 🙂
Both my runs had great views. I couldn’t be happier with my first two races. I plan to keep it up. I have my December 5K all picked up. I haven’t signed up yet but I will do so soon. I am going to do the Hot Chocolate 5K.
11 Comments
runninginnj · November 24, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Sounds like you’ve got the running bug – it happened to me 2 and a half years ago but I’ve only recently started blogging about it. I’m impressed you did both within a week. It took me over a year to do anything more than a 5k.
heelaholic · November 24, 2012 at 6:31 pm
I have ran off and on over the last 10 years or so but I just decided to start racing. I may be slow but it’s a lot of fun!
The two within the week was a little crazy. I don’t know what I was thinking when I committed to the 5 Mile one!
Susie · November 24, 2012 at 6:37 pm
But you did it and that’s awesome. I’ve been off for about a year and started to miss it. My husband had been running with me which helped my motivation before. He has had a shin problem for over a year and stopped running and started cycling. I have just figured out I can run on my own and have enough friends to run races with. I’m currently training for Lost Dutchman 1/2 Marathon in February. It’s amazing how much weight I put on since I stopped running. Going to do Weight Watchers starting Monday with someone I work with. She is quite a bit overweight and needs some encouragement and I need some weight off as well – so why not?
heelaholic · November 24, 2012 at 6:41 pm
I gained all my weight when I stopped running about a year ago too. I am slowly taking it off and getting back into running. When I’m not doing it, I forget how much I love it.
Good luck with weight watchers! I know quite a few people that have had success with them.
runninginnj · November 24, 2012 at 6:38 pm
The good thing about running is that how fast you are really doesn’t matter except in our own minds.
heelaholic · November 24, 2012 at 6:43 pm
This is true. My boyfriend reminds me of this whenever I talk about trying to get faster.
I want to be faster for myself. Now that I have done a race I’d like to work on speed and distance. Most of my issues are asthma related so it just takes time.
Susie · November 24, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Congrats on the races! I hate the nerves before the races but it is such an accomplishment when you’re done. Then you want to do it again and the nerves hit again before the race. Such a vicious cycle! I ran 8 miles today and had to take a nap this afternoon. I’m a slow runner but hoping to get more runs in to help with my speed. The sunglasses I was talking about last month were from divotechgolf.com. My favorite are the copper ones. Not too dark. I also like that they don’t bounce on me when I run and they don’t hit my hat if I wear one.
Again, congrats and keep running!
heelaholic · November 24, 2012 at 6:33 pm
I wasn’t nervous before the 5K but that 5 miles got me! Maybe it was because I was also doing that one alone.
I have never done more than 5 miles but I hope to, in 2014, do the Rock N Roll half marathon. I should probably start training now. 😉
Thanks for the info on the sunglasses. I will definitely look into those! I really need a pair.
Brittany · November 24, 2012 at 7:19 pm
Awesome job!! After I ran my first 5K..I couldn’t stop!! Keep running!
heelaholic · November 24, 2012 at 7:22 pm
It is quite addicting!
Backward & Forward « Her Life… most ordinary · December 31, 2012 at 4:28 pm
[…] joined a gym (and quit today, how ironic). I started running outdoors. I ran my first race (a 5K). I got a PR at my second […]
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