#4: Run a 10k

I thought adding a 10k was a great idea when I originally made this list back in March. From then I figured I had 4 months to train and would be in terrific shape by the time the race actually came along. Well, you know what they say about good intentions… Instead, my training program looked like this:

April: do nothing
May: begin running and building up distances, run a 5k
June: keep running, but less than before
July: stop all forms of exercise

I structured the weekend of the race in the following way:

Thursday: stay up late discussing life with Mike B over pizza and beer
Friday: have people over, eat more pizza, drink more beer, go to a bar and get drunk
Saturday: go to work hungover in the morning, take a nap in the afternoon
Saturday evening: eat pre race meal of wings and nachos
Sunday: wake up a 4:45 am, run 10k

As you can see I was not exactly adequately prepared for this race, but I was determined to do my best regardless. We arrived at the race site in Maryland at 6:30 on Sunday morning. The race was a part of a series of trail runs; there was a 10k, 15k, 25k, and 50k all going on that morning. (A 50k is 31 miles—in case you were wondering). We checked in, got our numbers and stood to the side to stretch nervously as we waited for things to get started.

The runners set out in waves, with the 10k participants (the largest group) starting last. We ran down a grassy field and a paved path for about ½ a mile, and then turned into the woods. The trail was a single file footpath, strewn with rocks, roots, and the occasion log lying across the path. Mentally, this race was tiring immediately because you couldn’t take your eyes off the ground for a second. All three of us (you may have noticed that Kevin and Mike B have been semi-willing participants for many of the list activities) tripped, cursed, and stumbled our way through the race.

Despite my lack of training, I felt great while running this race. It was a huge help that we were running in the woods, shaded by trees, rather than in the direct sun. There were a few steep hills that were challenging, but for the most part I was able to settle in and actually enjoy running (which almost never happens). At one point I actually started making notes to include in my blog post, leaving me to wonder if this was a case of art imitating life, or life imitating art, imitating life. Your call, Mr. Wilde. Then I started wondering why I was talking to Oscar Wilde during my run. Around that point I tripped on another root and all thoughts flew out of my head completely.

I finished this race in third place for my gender and age group*, and I felt great afterwards. Today I feel a little less great, my calves are sore and I have two sizeable blisters on the arches of my feet. In spite of the physical pain, I have the terrific feeling you get when you accomplish something that challenges you.

*Kevin said that I should mention that there were only 4 people in my gender and age group. Apparently it’s not as impressive but funnier.

18 down; 12 to go