But that doesn’t mean I can’t keep trying.
Pardon my appearance above. Unwashed,slicked back, hair isn’t attractive on me. 
And yes, this photo was before the race – I am positive my appearance after the race was much more blotchy!
I’ve always wanted to be a runner – in March, I started the Couch to 5k. I’ve been exercising in some capacity at least 5 days a week and trying to run at least one of those days. On the treadmill, I can run just over a mile without having to stop to walk – which isn’t exactly great, but is a lot further than the 30 seconds I could run when I started. Outside running is a different beast (and definitely uses different muscles) and while I would still not consider myself to be a runner (when I can run the entire 5k outside, we’ll talk about that label…) I’m closer than I’ve ever been. Mike is a runner. He ran cross-country in high school. He’s been going to the gym several mornings a week to run on the treadmill since it is so dark in the mornings right now. He makes it look easy!
On Saturday, Mike and I participated in Geneva’s Harvest Hustle. It was my first 5k. My first race. I knew that I would be doing run/walk intervals and set a realistic goal of completing the 3.1 miles in 45 minutes. That was the fastest I’d managed on the treadmill and figured I should be able to do the same outside. (As I said – I’m not a runner!)
When we began the run, it was 39 degrees outside. My already labored breathing and inability to pace myself was compounded by the cold. My lungs were on fire. My throat was all phlegmy. I just told myself to keep going. When I had to walk, I tried to walk as fast as my short legs would let me. It really wasn’t pretty. I knew I could walk it, but I wanted to run – and my lungs kept protesting profusely. But at least the scenery was beautiful and the morning felt crisp.
Around the 2 mile mark, I saw Mike standing up ahead waiting for me. He’d come back to finish with me. I felt all sorts of emotions in that moment. Happy to see him. Sad that I wasn’t a better, faster, smarter runner. Relief that I didn’t have to finish alone. I was in the middle of the “slow pack” so I knew I wouldn’t finish last – but still – it would be nice to have a buddy. At least until he started pushing me…
Mike wouldn’t even let me catch my breath before he’d announce, “run to those barrels,” “run to that shadow,” “you’ve got to pass Cutler (a guy wearing a Cutler jersey)”. And during the walk “breaks” he’d grab my hand, which while it could have been sweet, was really to drag me along so I was walking as fast as possible. While I know that last mile wasn’t my fastest mile, I know it was significantly faster than it would have been if I hadn’t had my hubby cattle prodding me towards the finish line.
I finished in 42:30. Two and a half minutes less than my goal time.
And when I was finished, despite the fact that my lungs burned and I coughed for the rest of the day, I felt good. Accomplished. Ready to do it again.
Plans are in the works for Mike and I to attempt the local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning. 40 minutes? We’ll see.
That’s pretty fantastic, Jamie! I failed at the C25K program I started in April, but have picked it back up again. I joined a running group in town that’s goal is the Turkey Trot here in town. I haven’t set a goal for what my time or run/walk ratio will be, basically because I’m scared of failing at it.
You ARE a runner. The beauty of running is that unless you are an elite and running professionally you never really compete against anyone but yourself. I love that Mike finished with you, that is so sweet. The first race (or the 1st in a long time) is always the most difficult.
Now I will I contradict myself. I have been running off and on since 5th grade, for the last 5 years mostly on. I don’t have clue how many races I have done and I still don’t really call myself a runner. I do sometimes but when people who are thinner, faster, or have completed bigger races ask me about it, I get nervous and discount what I have done.
Congrats to you. I am not a runner either. I actually HATE running and find it totally boring…but somehow I managed to do a freaking marathon!!!! What was I thinking? It was 6 hours and 18 minutes of grueling movement forward! But I did it and it was awesome….however…I did find out while training for it that about 8 miles ends up being a pretty good run once you actually get your body used to it! I think you will be really suprised how quickly it becomes easier and how fast you get up to 2-3 miles in just about an hour! I can’t run anymore (darn running kind of ruined my back)…but every now and again I get on the treadmill and do about a mile and it feels good (but then I realize it is still boring and I still really don’t like it all that much)! It is okay….I really think runners are born, not made…cuz I tried really hard and just couldn’t do it!
Good for you!!! I’m very impressed and will be using this story for inspiration. Also trying to move from “not running” to “runner” – thanks for posting this!
Mo
Oh, Jamie. You ARE a runner. It’s not the destination, but the journey that’s important. You wanted to start running and get active. You did it. You set goals, and you achieved them. You wanted to run a 5K, and you did it. Be proud, mama. And now you have a PR to break on Thanksgiving, which I am totally confident you’ll be able to do.
Way to go, Jamie!! You should be proud of yourself. I’m impressed you’re doing it again. And, what a nice, supportive hubby to get you through.
The first and only 5K I did was 4 years ago and it was pretty cold that morning, too. Of course, people kept saying “Runners like the cold weather”…obviously, I was not (and still am not) a runner!
Congratulations, from another “runner” who doesn’t quite feel like a runner yet
Congratulations!!
Jamie,
This is such an accomplishment! I am very very proud of you! Your determination is amazing! I used to be a runner, well I guess I should rephrase, I was a sprinter, and only a sprinter! I couldn’t run more than the 200m dash! So total kudos to you! I’ve tried off and on to be a “runner” but I’m not sure I’ll ever have enough courage, or patience to achieve it!!! Chris is a runner too, it irks me and makes me admire him all at the same time! I teared up at the part about Mike coming back to pace/help you! That is love!! Great job, and good luck! You’ll make it I have total faith in it
You did it!!!! Huge congrats! I love that Mike came back to be with you and push you.
I’m thinking about trying to run a 5K in a couple weeks. Gulp.
Congrats! I’m also a runner who doesn’t feel like a runner. I’m more of a walk-real-fast-with-a-bounce-to-simulate-running runner. I’ll tell you what I don’t like are races. Hate them. A always end up puking from nerves. I’m only there for the t-shirt anyway.