finishing the race

Whew - this week has flown by! The weather has been gorgeous here {hello 70s!} so I've been soaking up as much outdoor time as possible {and being a bad blogger.. oops}. 

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This past weekend, Mike and I ran a 5k. 

5k.schmive-k. Right? 

Who cares? It's just three miles.

But it wasn't just three miles for me. It was a 

goal

process

learning opportunity

accomplishment.

I ran cross country in high school -- although I treated it like it was a joke {I'd skip practice, 'cut cabbage,' skip out of practice early with an excuse, etc}. I had a lot of potential but I was young and dumb and didn't care. And, I was good at running fast so that's what I did during the meets that mattered. I developed a running pattern {that's lasted for 10 years} of sprint, walk, sprint, walk, sprint, walk. I never warmed up to the idea of pacing yourself or getting better. 

Needless to say, after 10 years of running, I was only getting worse at distances and times and saw running as a tedious task not something I enjoyed doing anymore. Remind you: I married someone that runs five miles in the time I run two and can wake up any given morning and go run a half marathon. Running was and is a part of what we loved doing together. Over the years though, I was losing that desire. When we met, I wanted to run a marathon. Eight weeks ago I barely wanted to run around the block.

Without realizing something needed to change, I got inspired. I had an old high school running buddy, Kathryn, pick it back up after some time of not running {and having a baby} who is now getting ready for a half marathon in the fall; and a friend that never ran, Ashley, start running in half marathons. How'd they do it? The couch to 5k plan. At first, I thought 'this isn't for me.. I run. I run a few miles here and there. That's not where I need to start.' Oh but alas... it was. 

I took on the challenge at the beginning of the new year when Mike and I decided to do a detox. I figured if I'm eating healthy regularly, I need to be physically active regularly too. Otherwise, it just seemed like an oxymoron. My goal at the end of the eight weeks was to run a 5k and not walk.. one step. I sprinted and walked for as long as I could remember. This wasn't going to be easy for me. I liked speed not endurance. 

After eight weeks of  little accomplishments, I felt ready. Nervous. But ready. 

Of course, loving speed, I had a time in mind that I wanted to beat. I kept trying to remind myself.. 'it's about finishing this race without walking.. NOT the time you do it in.' The time stamp burned in my mind though. During the whole race I kept asking Mike, "OK. Mile one. Time. Mile two. Time. Time. Time. Time." I ran  a good pace. Consistent. And, wasn't overly tired in the last stretch. Once we neared the finish, I figured out I had about 45 seconds to run the last bit in order to make my goal. So, what does one do in a time of urgency? Sprint, of course. And, man it felt good.

reaching the finish line

accomplished

satisfied

and not tired

I had done it. The work paid off even if at times it seemed pointless.

And now, I'm doing the bridge to 10k training. 

Addicted? I'd say so. 

 our games faces -- fierce, eh?

 Finished! 26:14. Goal was between 26 and 27 minutes. Happy camper.

Cute look.. no makeup. morning breath. sweaty pits. 

I couldn't have done it without the support of Mike. He ran the whole way with me {even though I know he was dying to run ahead}. He stayed my pace. Kept my time. Cheered me on. He's the best. I love that kid.

Now, to the next race.. hmm. We will be out in San Fran at the end of this training, perhaps a 10k in the hills? 

What keeps you going? What motivates you to do better? Be better?