Last spring I participated in a local training program for women and completed my first timed 5K. I walked the 5K and finished with a 52:27 time (16:53 minute/mile pace). I bought really nice shoes (and socks!), a couple shirts made of wicking fabric and a hat. And I haven't walked much since!
I started feeling guilty when spring showed up on the calendar and the email reminder arrived, inviting me to the local training program. What to do? Why, sign up for a 5K, of course! Just my luck, the school where my daughter works sponsors a run each March as a major fundraiser for the school.
Wearing my good shoes (and socks!), wicking fabric shirt and a fleece jacket because it was a cold morning, I courteously stood aside as the runners crowded the starting line. I looked for other walkers among the participants but figured I'd find them once the runners left. Then I realized that EVERYONE had left running... even the ladies I figured were the other walkers!
"No worries," I thought, "Those women will wear out soon and I'll catch up." I walked through the neighborhoods, keeping those women in sight but never actually catching up to them. The nice bicycle cop struggled to ride slowly beside me. I told her not to worry about me, I'd be turning around soon. She caught up to those women ahead of me.
The course was well marked. Big orange cones were spaced out in the street, arrows indicated the turns, volunteers waited until I passed to pick up the cones. I started to wonder if I should really turn around. I got to the one mile mark... just over 15 minutes! Hey, that's not bad for a walker, right? Keep going, jacket tied around waist.
I waved to the volunteers waiting at the next turn, the crew who was packing up the water station and the bicycle cop who was on the other side of the creek. Keep trudging.
Finally, the two-mile mark! And not much slower than my 1 mile pace. I've lost sight of those ladies who were just ahead of me. I start singing in my head, jogging 10 steps, walking 20, jog 10, walk 20. I can't see anyone else on the course. Oh, wow, isn't that creek pretty?
What the heck, I'm last and I have my camera in my pocket...Finally, there's the road back to the school. I made it! Oh. This hill is really steep! The motorcycle cop has passed me on the final sweep of the course. But the crossing guard is still waiting at the top of this hill. Good thing, I couldn't actually stop and look both ways! My daughters saw me cross the street and started calling, "Come on, Mom!" I could see the finish line! But wait, there's a big arrow on the pavement... I have to circle through the parking lot! Argh.
At last. The final turn. The clock is still ticking. The clock is still under 50 minutes! So, the last person in actually jogs up the lane to the finish line. A personal record. 49:34 (15:58/mile pace) The girls handed me water and a banana. We walked in to the post-race celebration and door prize drawings.
So, what did I learn from this? The challenge to finish was both in my body and in my head. It wasn't fun coming in last. I really appreciated everyone who waited for me. I felt like I had inconvenienced the folks who waited for me, that I was somehow unworthy of being in the course that long. I was surprised to find that the women ahead of me were really just 3 minutes in front of me and 7 years younger. While the important race is really me against me for a personal best, the community sense of company and competition is also important for me.
Yes, I'll get more use out of my shoes (and socks!), wicking fabric shirt and hat. I've signed up for the local training program and I'm going to shoot for a new personal best. And I have a lot more compassion for the last ones across any finish line!
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