So if you really know me, then you know I've never been a runner. But I happen to have 2 working legs and 2 fabulous friends that built a lifelong friendship around the sport, so naturally I kinda felt left out....until a few weeks ago when they invited/encouraged me to join them in an all women's race. I immediately responded to their email invitation with a positive "YES, count me in." The
Zooma race series is a women's only race (although I did see lots of men running it and even wearing the free pink shirt that was in our race pack) and my friends ultimately lured me in with promises of free wine and cupcakes afterwards (both of which I didn't even partake in) and a free girly necklace. Then I looked up the race online and realized it was a 10K (6.2 miles). Oh no, what have I gotten myself into? I've never even done a 5K. Sure I'd been running a few times a week on the treadmill in the gym, but there was no way I could appropriately prepare myself for this race in a matter of weeks. And I might add here, that a treadmill will be a workout of last resort from now on, because in no way does it compare to an outdoor run. A treadmill is good for keeping pace or just mindlessly burning calories, but in no way does it mimick or come close to hitting the pavement, going up hills, down hills, or prepare us for facing our good friend Mother Nature.
In the midst of finishing up 2 grad classes full of papers and presentations, and while finalizing preparations for Brian's birthday bash, I managed to force myself to run in hopes of not embarassing myself on May 31. I worked out at least 3 times a week at a local flat park, specifically to train for this. About 6 days prior to the race, Jen informed me that the race course was hilly and that even she was nervous. Oh great, it just keeps getting better. So during my drive to work on Wednesday morning, I scoped out some neighborhoods near my work that seemed "hilly" and hit that route after work to try it out. This workout was somewhat disappointing for me as I realized that damm those hills do really slow me down. It was also encouraging as I just kept thinking that my squishy legs were getting toned.
Race day was approaching and I was actually calm. The forecast called for perfect weather in Annapolis on Sunday and I was banking on my adrenaline, a race course full of supporters, and my pink iPod to get me through. I spent a good portion of Friday night downloading songs to my iPod and creating the perfect playlist. I had a good mix of songs to get me pumped up and take me through 62 minutes of the course (about a 10 minute mile...not necessarly my goal time). So all was good. Then as I was packing my bag on Saturday and took my iPod off its docking station, it DIED. It just refused to turn on and at this point, I started to freak out. I had come to rely on my mixes of songs to get me through some of these workouts. Thankfully the freaking out was only brief as I realized that there was absolutely nothing I could do about. I prayed for the resurrection of my pink iPod, but realized it could be a futile effort. So, moving on...Jen arrived at my house and we drove down to Amy's in Silver Spring. Our night consisted of catching up about boys we used to prank call in middle school, eating some awesome home made pizza and watching the oh so inspiring documentary on the life of the Notorious B.I.G. If you have not seen this movie, you must rent it. Be sure to have a paper and pen nearby because it does provide some awesome quotes that one should strive to live by.
I barely slept the night before the race. I think I just had too many thoughts in my head and was truly inspired by the Notorious B.I.G movie that I just felt like I needed to get out there and change the world, ya know since "word got out on the street about my skills." So I woke up at about 5 AM, thinking I may have had about 4 solid hours of sleep. We were out the door by 5:30 AM and completely dumb founded by the down pour of rain. As we drove to Annapolis, the rain continued and now I really started to get nervous....The stream of thoughts in my head was something like, " oh crap. I've never ever run a race before. I don't have music. I didn't get any sleep. And now its pouring rain." Luckily, Amy had garbage bags in her car. I was thankful for the bag, but was kinda bummed about having to cover up my pink shirt. We arrived at the starting line about 10 minutes late. Good thing out shoe tags are sensored to mark our start time for when we actually cross the start line and not when the gun goes off. Oh sure, but guess what? I forgot my shoe tag in the car and there wasn't enough time to go back. And I thought I would have time to scope out a bathroom. Nope. So I fully ran the 1st two miles - just me and my thoughts, which were mostly about having to desperately find a bathroom. Thankfully, at mile 2 there were porta potties but with insanely long lines. No way I was wasting time waiting in that line. My friend Amy found relief at a house boasting a Naval Academy flag and contributed to their lawn fertilization, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that so I tried to think about something else.
Somehow I managed to refocus and did not think about the bathrooms too much more. I was actually thinking about how amazed I was with myself and was somewhat comforted that there were lots of walkers/runners that were in far worse shape than I am. For some reason, I also started focusing on these new "fanny pack" like apparel that a lot of runners seemed to be sporting to carry their water and I assume keys. It was quite interesting and I'm not sure I'm on board to buy one just quite yet. The Naval Academy bridge was approaching...It was steep and quite challenging for me. I think I walked half of it. Then the race course continued along Ritchie Highway and some local roads. Not too much scenery during the last leg of the course, but the hills were plentiful. It stopped raining and I was able to ditch the black trash bag. Luckily I found another set of porta potties and made use of it around mile 4. There was a long line, but not nearly as long as the other lines. So, I happily finished out the race and was ecstatic to see that the sun was shining and that the last leg of it was all downhill. It felf good to cross the finish line and see my friends' smiling and cheering faces waiting for me. Amy and Jen had finished about 10 minutes before me, so at least I didn't make them wait too long for me.
So, what's next? Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of accomplishment that came with finishing on Sunday. Amy is training for the Marine Corps marathon in DC in October and there's also a Marine Corps 10K that day. No way would I ever do a marathon (sorry Amy...its just NOT me). But perhaps Jen and I will join you again and do the 10K and then cheer you on as you finish the marathon! And perhaps, I'll actually remember my shoe tag and get an accurate race time.
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