First 10K...First realization of how tough this is going to be!!

Well, I finished my first ever 10K Sunday.  That's 6.2 miles for those who don't speak metric.  The event was the New Albany Walking Classic.  I finished in one hour and 28 mintues. That works about to be about 14 minute miles.  There were over 2600 racers and I finished 614 overall.

It is a walk only event, in fact they patrol the crowd of walkers to make sure that no one was jogging.  I witnessed a woman jog up into the grass to pass a fellow competitor only to get screamed at and taunted by the 60 year old woman in front of me....that's right, I said a 60 year old in front of me.

This was only the second time that I had ever attempted a distance like this.  During one training session when I had an alumni TNT member beside me to pace off of, we unofficially did 6 miles in 1 hour and 23 minutes.  So when pre-planning where I wanted to end to feel successful, I thought for sure that I could finish this in one hour and 15 minutes. I figured that the motivation of the cheering crowd and the adrenaline of the moment would push my speed ahead to decrease my time by the 8 mintues.  Plus, I have been training as a "runner" since January.  Surely, I could beat hundreds of walkers.  That was a rookie mistake!!

My first mistake was not accounting for those pesky .2 miles.  I came around the last turn to hear a very motivational volunteer screaming out, "This is your last turn, end strong!!!". And sure enough there was the 6 mile marker.  That is what I heard and saw, and this is how my brain interpreted those two things.  End...6 mile race...you are done!  The last .2 miles was like walking through jello while being beaten by a stick, all the while being mocked by 3rd grade bullies.  (Sorry....sorority flashback there for a second).  Literally the only thing that made me pull myself the final feet was knowing that my husband and children were waiting patiently for me at the finish line and I didn't want to disappoint them so I pushed on.  I have to tell you, there is little better in life than hearing your three year old screaming out "Yeah, mommy!!!" like he hasn't seen you in years (an hour and half probably did seem like a lifetime to him).  That feeling is enough to get me to do a 10K everyday. 

One motativation that I didn't envision though was the presence of the "action" photographers along the way.  For the 30 seconds that I was passing them, I had the best form, most relaxed demeanor and best athletic features of anyone out there....well at least in my head I did (I have yet to see the actual pictures).  If you factor in that there was at least a dozen camera along the way, I had 6 minutes of amazing style and grace.

Since, I hope that this blog will serve as motivation to fellow couch potatoes out there let me share a few other key items that I learned from my experience today.  That's right, soak in the knowledge.  Those of you that have done a marathon before, resist the urge to say "I told you so".

1.  Have some type of upbeat music.  I like Jock Jams style of music.  Having this type of constant beats will help you to pace yourself. I unfortunately, had left my sound system at home so the only rhythm that I had to go off of was the werid guy behind me who grunted with every step.  Before you think about how that would have driven you crazy, realize that he was only behind me for about 30 seconds and then he gruntfully flew passed me leaving me to read the back of his shirt which read "Why run slow when you can walk really fast".  My husband reported that he was still grunting as he finished the race (several minutes before me).  Maybe I will take up grunting.  If for no other reason then maybe that people will move out of my way for fear of catching my weirdness.
2.  That brings me to my second bit of advice, do not let loved one share stories about the other finishers.  My husband told me as we got in the car that there was a woman there with a walker.  Naively, I thought that he meant that he saw he when the race started (the start/finsh was the same), so I said "Wow that is really great, good for her, I wonder how long it will take her to finish?"  That is when my husband realized the error of his ways.  The sheer look of panic on his face told me all I needed to know.  "She finished before me didn't she?"  He gulped yes and then as though to make it better, he went on to tell me just the top part of her body was atrophied, not her legs.  Yeah, those same legs that just kicked my butt.  Good times, thanks honey!!!
3.  Never change your race clothes from that which you have practiced in. I always wear a regular bra with a sports bra over top (it is the curse of my mother's side of the family).  Anyway, that day I mistakely put on a front closure bra.  I had never worn that in practice before and I will never wear it again!!  I ended up with a blister in an area that I didn't even know you could blister.  When I discussed the situation later with my mom, she said, "Why don't you just forget about the extra support and just wear a sports bra. Who cares if you bounce a little?"  Bounce a little?  I am bound to give myself a concussion!  Wouldn't that be a fun injury to explain to friends and family?  Sorry I can't complete the marathon that you sponsored me financially for, but a boob got in my eye. Maybe I'll just deal with the blister.