My first 10K

So I woke up excited, energized, pumped up.  10K, 6.2 Miles,,, my first.  The start of the race was lack luster… standing in the midst of 25,000 people preparing to run/walk 10k sounds exhilarating, but as I stood there for 30 minutes just to cross the start line was not that exciting.  Before the race I knew I had to pee,,, and yes,,, I stood for 45 minutes to use a port-o-potty.

You know what I love about running?  That feeling that the world of care, the  world waiting back for me when I finish disappears.  All there is?  The pavement beneath my feet, and the view in front of me.  There is a point as I run that I envision everything disappearing except what I am doing.  There’s just something freeing about that.  What other moment of my life is there that I feel no constraints but time and space?  What other moment is there that someone isn’t trying to control what I do and when I do it?  I can see through the static . . . I can see through the moment and  see nothing but the race.

My first mile was tough as it ended running up a hill . . . not a huge hill, but large enough that I was feeling winded.  Who would have thought that running down a hill was just as complicated?   My muscles tightened, my knees hurt,,, but I made it through.

Running past thousands of people… it is just empowering.  Knowing that they started before you and you will finish before them.  Wondering how many people started 30 minutes before me that I have passed?  Wondering how many started after me that ended before me?  I race on against myself regardless of these runners.

Mile 5, I realize I have never done this before.  Going this far, wondering can I make it?  Will I make it?  I feel so much power and strength.  I want to finish strong, I will finish strong.  People on the street are cheering their friends or families, some cheer on everyone, I push on.  My legs are feeling tired, my lungs   are wanting to catch up, I pass the 6 mile mark and I hear someone cheer “just around the corner, Finish strong!” and so I push on.

As I see the finish line, I run harder, I start to smile.  10k, 6.2 miles, a life changed. 

I look forward to my training for my first half marathon!  I am not who I am, but who I will be!