On Saturday, the 16th, I ran in the SLC 5k. It is the first "race" I have ever run. I didn't come in even close to first, but I didn't come in last, and I am proud. I ran the race in 43:44, which isn't great, but it isn't terrible. The reason I point this out is, not only was it my first race (EVER), but I only had a week and a half from finding out about it and signing up to race day. Yep. You heard me right. A week and a half.
When My Belle initially told me about the race that was being 'sponsored' by her work, I jumped at the chance figuring that most of the time, sign ups start a few months before the race and that I would have plenty of time to get in better shape and prepare for it. I was so excited, since I have a list of goals and running in a race is one of those goals.
My calm enthusiasm was soon turned to dread and worry when I asked when the race was. "Next Saturday," came the reply. Immediately I began formulating the most unrealistic training schedule to get myself in "race condition" by then. The plan consisted of going out every day with all 3 kids, one stroller, a loaded diaper bag, a gallon of water and enough snacks to feed an army and, using the Jordan River Trail, I would walk/jog while pushing 100 pounds of children plus the inevitable cargo for 3 or 4 hours to get myself in condition followed by 2 hours of strength training at the gym in the evenings. Fortunately, these thoughts never made it any farther than my freaked out imagination.
Upon consulting my BIL (who was also running the 5k with me), we decided on a much less extreme training plan. We went the first day or 2 to the gym and used the treadmills for a certain amount of time to see how far we got. I found this to be a challenge, however, on the first day when, 10 minutes into the jog, I got dizzy and left the treadmill for the stationary bikes.
I won't lie, this had me worried. If I couldn't stand more than 10 minutes on the treadmill, how in the world would I be able to run 3.2 miles in just over a week?!?! The next day, however, was more promising when I was able to make it to 20 minutes on the treadmill before I got dizzy.
We missed a couple of days when the weekend came around, and I must say, I have never regretted missing a workout in my life. I thought that this was not just falling of the band wagon, but I had just run the wagon off a ravine, never to be recovered. Boy was I wrong.
On Monday, the week of the race, we went to the Legacy Parkway Trail and we did a walk/jog of 3.2 miles! I was stoked! I think that using the treadmill psychs me out because all I can think of is time and distance. On the trail, however, I had trees and birds and sky and fresh air and ducks and even a passing beaver to occupy my attention and before I knew it, we had completed the trail and we were headed home. I felt GREAT and it was at that moment, while riding back to my sis's house, that I knew that I could do it!
We continued to "train" during the week until, finally, the day before the race came. The plan was not as simple as I would have liked. Anthony, unfortunately, worked on Saturday and would not be able to join us for the race. This also meant that we had to figure out what to do with the little miss. The simplest way, we figured, was if the Miss and I stayed the night at My Belle's house and in the morning, BIL and I would wake early, not wake anyone up (if it could be helped), run the race and then be back in time to load all the kids up and take them over to a community Easter egg hunt. The plan, however, was not so simple.
The hubby and I ended up in an argument at 10pm, meaning that we were delayed in getting to My Belle's house until almost midnight. By the time we arrived at their house, the argument was over and the hubby and I were feeling much better. The little miss had conked out in her car seat and slept most of the night. She woke up once, but just because she was in a strange place. She soon went back to sleep and so did I. I was, unfortunately, kept awake until about 1am by the TV in the living room where I was sleeping because My Belle was baking hot cross buns for the egg hunt in the morning. When I finally started to doze off, the hubby started texting me, telling me how much he missed me. (I couldn't turn off my phone because it was my alarm.)
Alas, 6am came far too soon. I slept in a little past my alarm, but soon got up and got ready to go. by 6:45, we were on our way into town for the big race.
We arrived slightly early, but my stomach was swimming with butterflies. I tried to eat the banana I had brought, but only got through half of it before the space being taken by the butterflies wouldn't allow any more.
When the race started, the BIL and I were close, but we had decided that we weren't going to stick together for the sake of company. We both wanted to see how well we would do, so we separated and ran the race as best we could.
As I neared Temple Square, the fear of butterflies escaping my stomach grew and I feared that I would have to "pull off" to throw up. Happily, I was able to push past the feeling and soon began to get into running. I was surrounded by some 2000+ other runners and bystanders and soon found myself getting into the race, pushing myself to go faster and longer than I thought I could.
At the half way point, I was worried that I was at the very back of the line. I couldn't have been more wrong. As I rounded a corner to begin the second half of the run where the route doubled back on itself, I could see just how many people were still coming up behind me. I was stoked! I began telling myself "Finish the race and don't finish last!" Half way up the hill back to south Temple, I hit a small road block with a side stitch that wouldn't go away. I had to push past it. I had to continue to breathe and to push myself.
As I rounded the corner on south Temple, I saw people sitting inside a Trax train waving at us and I happily waved back, which gave me a boost of happiness that got me back over to the Gateway and the last stretch to the finish line. As I approached the final corner, the BIL came in sight. I caught his attention (he had already finished the race) and he began to run along side the course telling me to "finish strong!" and "Keep Going! You're almost there!". I admit, I did have to take a breath for a couple of seconds amidst "finishing strong" but it was the greatest feeling of accomplishment to run across that finish line and then get my photo taken with the BIL!!!
It was something that I had set out to finish and I did. I finished strong. I don't care what place I came in that day, I won that day. I beat my own expectations.
I hope that one day, I can compete again. (hopefully with more notice next time, though.) Eventually, maybe one day, I might be able to do a 1/2 marathon or even a full marathon! I hope so, but for now, there is one goal on my list that I can happily put a gold star on. :)
Oh, and for anyone interested, my race results are:
Shari Hunter--Salt Lake City, UT--21520--F--26
0:43:44--14:05--142/169--1199/1574--755/1053--0:45:04--14:30--1:20
