My First 5k In Two Years

I was always one of those people that said, "I'm not a runner."  Then I started thinking some more about it.  What makes a runner really?  I always pictured someone who ran for fun, enjoyed the run, logged lots of miles during the week and even more on the weekends, someone who knew what shoes to wear, what to eat before and after a run, someone who could run a mile in a certain amount of time...the list goes on and on.

Then I realized, I could be a runner.  I just had to run.  That's it.  It didn't matter for how long, or how well, how quickly, or if I was wearing the top of the line running shoes or my one pair of sneakers I use for all my workouts.  Just putting one foot in front of another at a speed faster than walking...TA DA!  Running!  

With this mindset, I signed up for my 1st 5k in about two years.  I had been in somewhat of a running routine about two years ago but had fallen way out of that.  I didn't follow a training plan for this 5k, I just decided to do it.

The race was being held on the University of Central Florida's campus, my alma mater.  And it was being hosted by my sorority, Pi Beta Phi.  I figured if I was going to get up early on a Sunday and run, this was for as good a cause as any!

It was a 5k around campus, beginning and ending at the Pi Phi house (where I spent my 4 years of college...living in the house for 3 of those years.)  I had a playlist on my iPod, my trusty old sneakers on and I was off!  I wasn't trying to keep a certain pace.  I just wanted to finish in under 40 minutes.  I WAS keeping an eye out for those mile marker signs.  Am I getting closer??

Mile 1 appeared after about 9 minutes.  I surprised myself at that pace!  I slowed down on the 2nd mile but I did not stop to walk until after that 2nd mile.  Running 2 straight miles without stopping?!  Major personal accomplishment right there and I wasn't even done with the race yet!

Honestly, that last 1.1 mile was rough.  Part of me wanted to stop but a bigger part of me wanted to keep going and see what I was capable of.  With a few "power walk" breaks combined with running, I made it to the final stretch.  When I rounded that corner and saw the Pi Phi house and heard my sisters cheering, it helped propel me to that finish line. Even better, my husband was waiting at the finishing line, cheering me on.  I ran right towards that man and crossed the finish line in under 33 minutes.  

Whew!  That was a challenge but look what I did.  My whole body, especially my legs, are VERY sore today but I'll take it.  It's a reminder that I accomplished something great.

It's a reminder that, you know what?  I AM a runner!