My race was wonderful overall. I went to bed early the night before, stretched out some soreness in my quads, and took my vitamins. I had a runner's halo over my head as I slept.
I awoke before my alarm went off, around 6:30am. The sun was just starting to peek out, and I could see the sky turning pink behind my blinds. It was going to be a beautiful day to race! I stayed in bed for a little while, feeling slightly panicked about the reality of actually attempting to run 3.1 miles in a couple of hours - in front of other people, no less! What if I couldn't do it? What if everyone laughed at me? Clearly my mind gives up far sooner than my body.
I ate a light but filling breakfast of wheat toast with peanut butter and a banana, along with lots of water. I had dutifully picked out my breakfast the evening before, and began putting together my race day outfit. I couldn't find the shirt I was looking for, so I naively told myself I'd just find it in the morning.
Cut to me tearing around the house like a manic creature 15 minutes before I'm scheduled to leave. Not only could I not find my black moisture-wicking t-shirt, I realized it was going to be way too cold to wear it anyway. Oh and I had yet to buy any cold weather running clothes (darn you North Carolina weather!). In a moment of desperation I threw on a long john-esque shirt I'd recently purchased to wear under a t-shirt from my alma mater, and put a sleeveless running shirt over that. I think I looked moderately ridiculous, but it did the trick. I even accessorized with a fleece headband to keep my ears warm. I wasn't raised in Buffalo for nothing!
I hustled out the door 15 minutes late and walked a mile to the race start, figuring it would be a good warmup. It felt great, and my legs felt fantastic. I had that joyous bounce in my step on the way there, that feeling that your legs just want to run already so stop with all this boring walking! I met up with some friends there before lining up for the big start.
A giant mass had formed at the starting line and people seemed to be milling about. I leisurely put my headphones on and was fiddling with my Couch to 5K iPhone app when suddenly *BANG* the gun went off. I was completely unprepared for that. It was a tiny little local 5K and they actually had a race gun!
I felt great for the first mile or so. Really, really strong. I was running faster than usual for longer, and that race adrenaline is something else. I didn't really believe it when people talked about it, but it is so true. I wish I could bottle that stuff and sip on it during my normal runs!
Around mile one I inexplicably got stomach cramps. Huh?! I ran through the pain, but that seemed to make it worse. Against my wishes I slowed down to walk, and my stomach did feel a little better. I went back up to a run and almost threw up on the side of the road. I was SO upset. All my training and I'm too cramped up to run? I walked with my coworkers for a minute or two, and then sensed that the cramps were dying down. I started to trot and felt pretty good, so I kept up the run. Thank goodness the cramps disappeared after that and I was able to continue.
Just before the halfway point I started to suffer a bit, and mentally struggled. "You can't finish this," I told myself. "You're not strong enough, not fast enough. Just give up now." I pushed through and when I saw the turnaround I got a jolt of energy. I knew that if I could make it to the halfway point then I was most certainly going to finish. I picked up some steam and passed my coworkers for the first time, along with several other people. WHEEEEEEEE.
The rest of the race I would walk for a few seconds here and there, mostly on hills. I probably could have kept running, but I felt like I was in a good place with strong legs and I wanted to keep doing what I was doing.
I caught up to my coworkers and pointed out the finish line in the distance. "Let's do this," I commanded, and off we went, sprinting to the end! Crossing that finish line was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I did it! It was a moment of great pride for me.
As we walked towards the tables full of bananas and water to refuel, I said to my husband, "I can't wait to do this again!"
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