This is late (the race was the 6th) but life got in the way and I had hard time sitting down to put all of my thoughts on paper. In any other time I probably would have just decided it was too late now, but as with many people, the last few days have caused me to reflect a lot on life, running and what it means to me so I decided better late than never.
The day was COLD. Low 40s but felt like 30s because of the windchill. I wore long thicker leggings, a running tank and a jacket and I'm very glad that I had all of that. I had a whole wheat egg white sandwich & 24 oz of water 90 minutes before the start and that seemed to be the perfect amount of food before the race. it was timed perfectly (no upset stomach issues, lots of energy. I will definitely be doing this again.) I got to the parking lot 50 minutes before start time and sat in my car for 30 of those minutes listening to music, getting my bib taped on correctly and just trying to keep myself centered. I knew as soon as I got in the bigger group I'd feel more nervous and I wanted to protect my calm as long as possible. With 20 minutes to go I went to the restroom (obvi will need more time for this for a larger race with larger lines) and ran for about 5 minutes to warm up (that was excellent advice on the part of one of my much more experienced friends).
I then found a patch of sun, which was slightly warmer and waited. I'm glad I didn't have longer to wait, the thoughts at this point were a little overwhelming.
When the race started I found myself more than a little overwhelmed with emotion. I was mainly so excited to be doing this. I knew I could finish, it wasn't even a question. A year ago I couldn't have run a 5K. I couldn't have run a mile. 4 years ago I was overweight, a smoker and had TERRIBLE fitness habits. The idea that I could now not only do this, but potentially do it well was awe inspiring. I found myself tearing up a little behind my glasses during the first quarter mile. And then things started to clear out. My playlist kicked in and it was all about running the race I wanted to run (slow and steady to start, gradually speeding up each kilometer until the end). I started passing people, and pretty much kept passing people through the end. I wound up trading places a few times with a girl who seemed to be running the exact race I was running, which I thought was interesting and served for a lot of motivation. A pretty sizable hill at 1.5 miles seemed like a cruel joke in the cold weather but I pushed up it and kept going and the last 1.5 miles I felt like I was flying. I kept picking up speed a little here and there, when I got to the last .1 mile I was full on sprinting across the finish line and had more to give.
I finished in 29:58 with 2 hills and a headwind. That is about a minute slower than I really wanted to run, but given the conditions I can't really complain. It was a 9:38 pace and I know I can go faster (I prob started a little slower than I needed to and a little further back than I needed to...I'll know better next time).
Things I learned:
Don't forget the gloves at home! My hands were FREEZING and I own a spectacular pair of Columbia running gloves.
I prefer running on the road to the sidewalk.
People cheering on the sideline are the most amazing thing ever.
Having a friend there would have been nice for the end. I should share what I'm up to with people more.
Playlists are really important to my pacing right now and I should spend the requisite amount of time on them.
I really like racing.
I have a 10K on Saturday. It's going to rain. A month ago I might have used that as a reason not to run the race and just to 6.2 miles on the treadmill instead. Not this week. Not anymore. I'll just find some gear to run in when its wet and be thankful I can do this miraculous thing. I'll be better about posting that recap.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Friday, April 05, 2013
Race Day Eve
It's a little funny that I'm nervous enough to need a place to put my thoughts out there, you see, I didn't sign up for this race until yesterday when I realized my half marathon program suggests a 5K this weekend.
A year ago I couldn't run a mile. A year ago I was in tears over trying to run. I was embarrassed on the treadmill. I'd walk more than I ran and slink away with my shins and calves on fire after .25 miles. I'd fight for mileage on an incline, walking, so I could say I didn't give up. A year ago, if you had told me I'd be training for a half marathon I would have laughed or cried, depending on the day.
I am not that person anymore: tomorrow I'm running my first official 5K, and I'm shockingly nervous about it.
I have run 3.1 miles many times in the last year. Last Saturday I was traveling for business and I still ran 9 miles straight because that's what the program said came next. I did it despite high altitude and a schedule that was pretty unforgiving. I ran 9 miles, without stopping to walk once, because that's what came next. I figure it's the only way to the 13.1 miles I'm supposed to run on 5/19.
This week that same schedule says I'm supposed to do a real 5K. Not the 5Ks I do on the treadmill, or the times I monitor during my longer runs - a 5K. A race. A race that has a number, chip times, a course, and other people.
This whole race thing is freaking me out.
I am nervous about what to eat for dinner (Should I eat more carbs? Fewer? The same as always?). Don't even get me started on breakfast. I am nervous about what to wear (does it matter if it is 48 degrees v. 55 degrees? What if it hits 60 and I'm in a jacket? Should my socks be cushioned or flat?). I am nervous about my playlist (Is it too short? Too long? Do I REALLY know how long this race will take me, after all I've only ever done this on my own, can 3.1 miles change with other people? Are the Springsteen songs in the right place? Should they be back to back? What if I go really fast and don't get to the Springsteen songs? What if I go really slow and run out of music?). I am nervous about when to arrive (Will I have time to park? Do I want to eat in that neighborhood and walk around to warm up? What if there is an abnormal amount of traffic for a Saturday?).
I am a bundle of nerves.
I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow around 2:30 when this whole thing is behind me, but until then there are some comforting thoughts I need to focus on:
Everyone has had a first race. They survived it and everything. This just happens to be mine.
I've done the distance more times than I can count, that isn't a question.
The clothing, parking, food, playlist, and whatever thing I start worrying about when I hit publish will be fine. I'm unlikely to mess up things I have been thinking about so much.
If I mess up something I haven't thought of yet I'll adapt.
Most importantly:
A year ago, I couldn't run a mile. Today I'm worried about the intricacies of a 5K race and how to prepare for it, knowing full well I can run the whole thing and it's only a question of how long it will take me.
I've already won.
A year ago I couldn't run a mile. A year ago I was in tears over trying to run. I was embarrassed on the treadmill. I'd walk more than I ran and slink away with my shins and calves on fire after .25 miles. I'd fight for mileage on an incline, walking, so I could say I didn't give up. A year ago, if you had told me I'd be training for a half marathon I would have laughed or cried, depending on the day.
I am not that person anymore: tomorrow I'm running my first official 5K, and I'm shockingly nervous about it.
I have run 3.1 miles many times in the last year. Last Saturday I was traveling for business and I still ran 9 miles straight because that's what the program said came next. I did it despite high altitude and a schedule that was pretty unforgiving. I ran 9 miles, without stopping to walk once, because that's what came next. I figure it's the only way to the 13.1 miles I'm supposed to run on 5/19.
This week that same schedule says I'm supposed to do a real 5K. Not the 5Ks I do on the treadmill, or the times I monitor during my longer runs - a 5K. A race. A race that has a number, chip times, a course, and other people.
This whole race thing is freaking me out.
I am nervous about what to eat for dinner (Should I eat more carbs? Fewer? The same as always?). Don't even get me started on breakfast. I am nervous about what to wear (does it matter if it is 48 degrees v. 55 degrees? What if it hits 60 and I'm in a jacket? Should my socks be cushioned or flat?). I am nervous about my playlist (Is it too short? Too long? Do I REALLY know how long this race will take me, after all I've only ever done this on my own, can 3.1 miles change with other people? Are the Springsteen songs in the right place? Should they be back to back? What if I go really fast and don't get to the Springsteen songs? What if I go really slow and run out of music?). I am nervous about when to arrive (Will I have time to park? Do I want to eat in that neighborhood and walk around to warm up? What if there is an abnormal amount of traffic for a Saturday?).
I am a bundle of nerves.
I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow around 2:30 when this whole thing is behind me, but until then there are some comforting thoughts I need to focus on:
Everyone has had a first race. They survived it and everything. This just happens to be mine.
I've done the distance more times than I can count, that isn't a question.
The clothing, parking, food, playlist, and whatever thing I start worrying about when I hit publish will be fine. I'm unlikely to mess up things I have been thinking about so much.
If I mess up something I haven't thought of yet I'll adapt.
Most importantly:
A year ago, I couldn't run a mile. Today I'm worried about the intricacies of a 5K race and how to prepare for it, knowing full well I can run the whole thing and it's only a question of how long it will take me.
I've already won.
Revamped
I'd forgotten this blog existed. Today I decided I wanted a space to talk about running, fitness and life, when I tried to sign up for an account I was shocked to discover I already had...in 2005 apparently.
I'm a lot different now and this focus will be different. The name, however, will stay the same:
I'm a lot different now and this focus will be different. The name, however, will stay the same:
Oxygen
Willy Mason
I wanna be better than oxygen
So you can breathe when you're drowning and weak in the knees
I wanna speak louder than Ritalin
For all the children who think that they've got a disease
I wanna be cooler than t.v
For all the kids that are wondering what they are going to be
We can be stronger than bombs
If you're singing along and you know that you really believe
We can be richer than industry
As long as we know that there's things that we don't really need
We can speak louder than ignorance
Cause you speak in silence every time our eyes meet
On and on, and on it goes
The world it just keeps spinning
Until I'm dizzy, time to breathe
So close my eyes and start again
Willy Mason
I wanna be better than oxygen
So you can breathe when you're drowning and weak in the knees
I wanna speak louder than Ritalin
For all the children who think that they've got a disease
I wanna be cooler than t.v
For all the kids that are wondering what they are going to be
We can be stronger than bombs
If you're singing along and you know that you really believe
We can be richer than industry
As long as we know that there's things that we don't really need
We can speak louder than ignorance
Cause you speak in silence every time our eyes meet
On and on, and on it goes
The world it just keeps spinning
Until I'm dizzy, time to breathe
So close my eyes and start again
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