Reasons to Run

I ran my first 10k today!

Actually, the word "run" is somewhat negligible.  I am SLOW.  I knew this, but today's 10k drove that fact home extremely well.  I came in at my goal time, even with the hills along the route, which I hadn't been counting on and which just about fucking killed me.  I also set another personal record for the mile - a full 10 seconds over my previous PR. 

You'd think I'd be pretty proud, no?

And I would.  Except that I literally came in almost DEAD FUCKING LAST.  There were 5 people who finished after me.  FIVE. 

I know, I know...the point is that I did it, and I finished, and I made my goal time.  Also, I only just pried my ass out from between the couch cushions a little under 4 months ago, so I'm new enough to the sport that I'm basically a zygote, and yet here I am running approximately 6.4 miles.  I should be proud.  But seriously?  Fifth from last?  And 3 of those 5 were walking.  WALKING, people. 

I started having trouble with my right ankle about midway through, but I pushed through it and the pain went away after about a mile.  But it was cold.  And the headwind was hell.  And those damned hills.  And I had to pee. 

And crossing that finish line was fanfuckingtastic.  And then there were free bananas and oranges and bagels from Panera (a tip, by the way: If you have on jeans and no race number, this stuff is not there as your own personal breakfast buffet, and you WILL look like a complete and utter ass if you help yourself to 3 bagels, a banana and a Gatorade.  I'm just saying), and there were FREE MASSAGES.  Which...yeah.  I know!  And we're not talking about wussy little chair massages.  We're talking tables set up, assisted stretching before the race, and cooldown massages after.  I mean, damn!

At which point I understood another reason to run:  Because it feels so damned good when you stop.  Especially when there are cinnamon bagels and a massage waiting for you after the finish line.

Comments

[jan]

I remember when the race was just a dream for you and now you've conquered it.

[caramaena]

Well done on finishing. You've only been doing this for a few months, you should be proud of yourself - no matter where you finished. The thing is YOU FINISHED!

[Em]

So you may not be feeling terribly proud of the final results...but it is still damned impressive! I'm trying so hard to get back in shape...but at this point, running from the couch to the refrigerator leaves me winded.