MADdash 5k

Today I ran my second 5k. But funny enough, it feels like my first. Because I actually ran the WHOLE thing this time!!!



My goal was to either get a better time than I did on my first 5k at JFK, or to run the whole thing since I didn't last time. I realize that because you lose steam that I'd probably have a longer time but if I ran the whole thing it's a whole new sense of accomplishment. AND I DID IT!!!! I ran the whole 3.1 miles of the MADdash 5k!!!



I started off the race prepared to pace myself better than I did last time. Last time I didn't pay attention to my stride and pace that I set from the starting line. But I wanted to have more stamina this time so I paid close attention. And yknow what? It paid off! Because last time, after mile 1 I HAD to stop. I was so beat already. This time, even in 90 degree weather, I felt great at the first mile marker. The course was a little stranger. We ran through the streets of a corporate park and the starting line was where the finish line was. So you basically wind up running 1.5 miles out, turning around at a median and coming back the direction you came from on the opposite side of traffic. I saw where the second mile marker was across the street and thought to myself "Okay. I can manage this!" The stretch of road down to the turnaround point just kept going and going and going. Finally I saw the turnaround point and was like "okay. I can do this." At mile marker two I still felt pretty good. The sun was really beating down adn there was less shade on this side of the street so I was really finally starting to feel the effects of the heat. But I just kept going. I kept telling myself "C'mon. Just push a little farther." For the most part I just tried to zone out and stop thinking about the fact that I was running so I wouldn't psyche myself out. Then, just as I thought I was getting too tired and would have to walk soon, I recognized the turn in the road that meant we were close to the end. And I thought "Oh my god. I could do this! I could run the whole thing!" And so I went a little farther and then turned the last corner and all of a sudden I saw the flag hanging. "Just a little farther." I really thought I was going to have to walk soon. It was so hot. The shade wasn't doing anything to help. And then I saw it....the big red flag reading "FINISH". I couldn't actually see the line across the street, but I saw the flag. "I CAN DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS!" I literally said it out loud to myself. I passed by some old high school friends manning the fire truck as I neared the end and one of them got a picture of me on his Droid. I'm wearing a pink shirt with a face to match at this point! I wanted to really bring it home and run as hard as I could for the last leg of the race, but I just couldn't push myself any harder apparently. But I did it! I finished! And I ran the whole thing!



I wound up doing 35 minutes and 17 seconds. It's exactly 1 minute and 12 seconds slower than my original 5k time. But you know what? I'm prouder of this 5k than I am of the first one. The first one I was so ashamed of myself for needing to walk, especially so early on. Today was the first day I really felt like I could be a runner. I know I'll never be faster, but I have the endurance to at least finish the race. And I couldn't be more prouder of myself for it. I couldn't stop smiling.



A few days ago I decided I wanted to run a half marathon for my birthday. And now? I feel like that's a very attainable goal. :)