First Race Since Boston

MadMayo RunnersToday was the 15th Annual 5K race in Kernersville. The race holds a special place in my heart as it was the very first race I ever ran, four years ago. That being said, I spent most of the 3.1 miles contemplating the fact that I hate running 5K's. 

I'm not fast. Or rather, I'm not good at being fast. I say this and I mean it: I would rather run a marathon than a 5K. Short races are all about sucking it up and going at it as hard as you can. They hurt. They break me, physically and mentally. I walked 3 times in this race. Three times in 3.1 miles! The first two times I'll chalk up to mental weakness. I was tired and my legs and lungs were on fire because I was running probably faster than I was trained for. But I could have kept going. The third time galls me. Right at the end of the course, with less than the .1 to go -- on a downhill to add insult to injury -- I developed a serious stitch in my right side. It hurt to run and hurt to breathe. I jogged it in, but nothing like the flying finish I had been anticipating, where I'd make up lost time from my brief earlier walk breaks. 

All that whining aside, I had a good race! I PR'd with a time of 22:30, beating my last year's time at the same race by 34 seconds. The weather was absolutely stunning and what makes this race a favorite of mine is the chance to see so many friends who also run it. Most people I spoke to PR'd and several MadMayo runners brought home some hardware. I pulled second in my age group, 10 seconds behind the first place woman. (Am I gnashing my teeth over the fact I could have won my age if I hadn't been such a little wussy and walked so much? If you have to ask the question, you don't know me at all.)

Blair ran the race as well and had an excellent run. I told MadMayo Runners toting their hardware!him I was proud of him and he said, "Well, I'm happy that me having a good run makes me more--"

"Desirable as a companion?" I interjected, grinning.

He laughed. "Yes, exactly." 

Great job today to Josh, Jack, Iris, Nathan, Pat, Carlos, Kay, Mindy, Christine, Pam, John, Will, Thad, Shana and, of course, Blair!

Comments

[Christine]

I'll second your opinion of 5ks! I spent the last mile wondering why I was torturing myself, hoping the side stitch would go away and praying I didn't keel over at the finish line. Then Blair trotted past us around mile 3 like it was effortless for him. Unfortunately, I didn't have any air left in my lungs to say hello. But at leat all our suffering paid off in the end. I'll still choose 13.1+ over 3.1 any day!

[Mom]

Congrats! You both look so good and SO healthy.

[Dad]

As you stated, you do not like 5K's but it is a favorite for many all the reasons you gave. It is great that Blair joins you in this race, I am sure it is fun for you both to find another thing to do together! It doesn't appear by the picture you all ran, what great shape you guys are in. Hey, maybe I will join you in the next race once I have these hips replaced.........opps, maybe NOT!