It’s true.
I did it.
I participated in my very first 5k. I think it’s clear by my absence on YouTube, and lacking blog post that I have been struggling. I’ve talked a little about that in my last YouTube video. If, you have the overwhelming desire to watch me talk about struggling on WW you can click here. It’s exhilarating stuff.
Now back to the 5k. Even though I’ve been struggling on plan and haven't really worked out since I returned from my vacation 4 weeks ago I decided I’d still give the 5k ago. Why, not? I already paid the registration fees. To ensure I wouldn’t chicken out at the last minute I devised a brilliant plan to guarantee I’d show up for the 5k! The night before the run I took the train to Albuquerque. My sister picked me up. She was so accommodating even though I called her last minute to ask her if she could A) Pick me up from the train station 2) Allow me to sleep over her house. I should mention that my brother in law recently had surgery. Clearly, my timing was dead on. Thank you Desi for all your help! I figured staying the night in Albuquerque would allow me to get an extra hour of sleep. That way I couldn’t whine about having to wake up early and missing out on sleep (That’s the brilliant part I was talking about).
That night I was so nervous about the 5k. I failed to consider my nerves keeping me awake till 2am. I kept thinking about how I was going to be last and probably not finish at all. Would there be staff members to carry me back to the finish line in case I collapsed? What if I fall, what if I just didn’t go. I thought about faking an illness. What’s going around this time of year?
In the end it was phase two of my brilliant plan that motivated me to show up for the 5k! My boyfriend agreed to drive to Albuquerque and pick me up for the 5k. There was no way I was going to have him drive one hour early Saturday morning so I could chicken out! I would have been too ashamed. After a light breakfast (A scrambled egg and fruit) we headed to the Brewing Company to join the other racers. It's a run for beer! The area was a little confusing to navigate. Where should we sign in? Park? Line up? We found our groove and navigated toward the back of the line. Earlier, The boyfriend said that he wanted to run with me the entire 5k. Although, I appreciated the sentiment the prospect of trying to keep my 5’5 frame at pace with his 6’2 frame did not tickle me with joy. I made it clear that if he felt the need he could pull away.
I didn’t hear a horn or an announcement but slowly the pack of nearly 400 runners & walkers begun to move. And we were off! I started off with a slow jogging pace. After, about a minute Gerard pulled ahead and I was relived! I ran straight through the first 10 mins of the race. I found a nice routine of jogging and speed walking that I became comfortable with. I realized I was the last runner…but I wasn’t the last participant (several walkers lingered behind me). The terrain was varied. We went over and under bridges, cement walk ways, dry dirt and road ways. Around the 2 mile mark I began to feel the heat and the weight of my legs. When I finally crossed that line I was thrilled but you wouldn’t have known it by the look on my face. I made my way past the group of celebratory runners and did the unthinkable…I vomited. Thankfully I made it to a tree bush.
Final time:
FattyCakes 48:51.0
The boyfriend 36:33.3 (Not bad! He didn’t train a single second or hit the gym)
Photos courtesy of the folks over at Divine Proportion
I came in last. I vommed in a bush. But…I finished it. I did not chicken out…and I’m doing it again in five weeks. Next time I won’t be last. It’s okay if I vomit again. Don’t like hardcore athletes vomit after pushing to the max?
