So....Day 96...the big day for my 5K race. As you read in my last post, I was super-dooper nervous and jittery and very worried about energy. I got up, had my coffee, oatmeal and banana. Then I did Core Synergestics...most of it anyway and then I left to meet Rene. I drank down my "magic potion" which was 2 oz. of some yummy-tasting energy shot stuff I bought the night before (yah, my secret is out). I felt pretty good and ready to go. Not heart-pounding jittery...but nervous-excited jittery. All was well---I thought. We got there, got our numbers pinned on and went to the starting line. Rene has her handy-dandy Garmin that tells us how fast we're going...so she was going to make sure we kept at no slower than a 10-minute-mile pace--which I believe she said was 6.2. Off we went.... After about 1 minute, I was already out of breath. After about 2 minutes, I was hissing with every breath I took in. This was not looking good.... Thankfully at the 1K point, there were volunteers standing there handing us cups of water if we wanted them so I took one (mostly as an excuse to walk for a second) and gulped it down. STUPID STUPID STUPID. For the entire rest of the race..not only could I not breathe...but my stomach sloshed with EVERY step. I was the kind of person that I can't stand. I whined like a cry-baby and poor Rene--GOD BLESS HER!!--she stuck with me the whole way and cheered me on. At one point she even said "Just pretend I'm Shelly!" ha ha ha...she knows me! What was crazy was this: #1--my knee never hurt, not once, not even a teensy bit! #2--My legs never got tired. Not for a single second did I feel any kind of burn in my legs or even a lack of energy or motivation. #3--I have NEVER had so much trouble breathing in my LIFE! All I could think was "wow! I must be WAYYYYY more out of shape than I realized!!!" It was very discouraging. I couldn't stand it that I was holding Rene back. I know she was itching to take off in a full-fledged run...but the sweet thing that she is...she just kept a couple steps ahead of me (even running backwards at times) cheering me on, encouraging me and reminding me that I could do it. I seriously owe her a HUGE HUG!
Now looking back at the whole thing, I think I should have probably taken a moment or two to walk and catch my breath and regain my composure. Although I did walk a few times...it was only for about 10 steps and then I started back up jogging and I never gave myself enough time to really recouperate. My official time was 31:13. My goal had been to do it in under 30 minutes....so I didn't make it...but I'm trying hard not to let it get me too down. It's not the end of the world. I'm just mostly struggling with thoughts of me not being in that good of shape. A friend of mine who also ran passed me and hollered out, "C'mon Jen! Look at me...I'm overweight and just had a baby! You can do it!" That did help to keep my motivation up...but it really wasn't the motivation I was needing as much as a big, deep breath. All I could think of was that she is in better shape than I am--APPARENTLY!
ohhhhhhh.......(big sigh)......anyway, I am glad I finished. It did feel great to cross that finish line and hear my name announced over the speaker. In all, my averge pace was 6.15.
I can't end this post about the race without a shout-out to my buddy Lisa too...who was such a sweetheart to practice run with me a couple of times before the race. Next year though...we will definitely have to start sooner than 2 weeks before the event! ha ha
Here is a pic of our whole group that ran. Props to the kids. It was so inspiring to see them running across the finish line! (well except for the ones who BEAT ME and I didn't get to see cross it! :)
Day 97-Sunday
Totally took the day off. No working out..no restricted eating. Will probably pay for this later...but WhatEVER!! :)
4 years ago
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4 comments:
Yay for you Jen (and to your buddy Lisa for keeping you motivated!)! You got through your first race and I hope you're just able to look back at it as a learning experience. It really helps to slow down and walk through the water stations. I've also found that swishing./spitting the water really helps. I know it sounds gross, but seriously, it helps refresh you w/o tummy pains.
Next time, try to take more of your training outdoors so that it simulates race day conditions. It makes a big difference. Especially w/ the heat and wind you guys get.
I know I said this all in my e-mail to you earlier, but I'll say it again. I am SO proud of you - for committing to a race, for completing it, and in great time!
Run on my friend! You are such a motivation to me :)
Jen, you are so amazing! You never gave up, despite all the things that were trying to bring you down, YOU RAN A 5K!! And in a very very very amazing time!
My first 5K - lol - to make you feel better, my first 5K was 52:47, and I was the very last person to cross the finish line. I was mortified when I realized there was no one behind me, and people were walking past me back to their cars on my last mile - but everyone was so encouraging and motivating, telling me to keep on going, even now, just typing this, tears come to my eyes lol (I'm such a sap!)
This was your first 5K - your benchmark - just think, you are only going to get better and better and better!!
Kudos to your friend for sticking with you - mine ditched me lol
Keep up the amazing work - you are an inspiration!!
You did great. You had a goal-to do the 5K-and you DID IT! Don't diminish your accomplishment, because you had a great time!
I'm so proud of you Jen! You "finished" your very first race (and in a great time too!). Congratulations my friend!!!! You should be proud of all you have accomplished, and in such a short time.
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