Second 5K: Complete!
In my last entry, we discussed my slothlike running capabilities and my 16+ minute miles. You will imagine my surprise when, in the middle of my run, my Nike+ app spoke up and announced that I had completed a mile in just shy of 14 minutes.
As it turned out, my slowest mile in this 5K was 14:09.
I knew I was pushing myself because my face got hot way sooner than it usually does, but I still felt good otherwise so I didn’t try to back off. I had no idea it would improve my mile time that much!
Additionally, I ran the whole way! My final time was 47:08, which is about two minutes better than my first 5K.
I ended up with a small blister on the inside of my right foot, and toward the end of the race my left foot hurt when my toes were flexed (so, every step). But! The rest of me felt totally fine. Tired, but fine, and I bet I could have run for a tiny bit longer if my feet didn’t feel so awful.
It’s hard for me to describe how I felt when I realized I was nearing the last leg of the course and I still felt good enough to keep running. I started tearing up! Even as a competitive gymnast in high school I could never run this much or this far – I don’t think I’d ever actually run an entire mile before starting C25K. I’d always run the straightaways on the track and walk the corners.
I finished the race kind of in awe of myself and what my body can do – it was kind of weird having a moment by myself where I knew nobody. I sat on the grass, snuffling to myself while updating Twitter, and stretched my legs and watched the other runners finish.
This makes me really excited to sign up for another race – now that I know I can run the whole way, I can concentrate on improving my overall time and my individual mile times as well.
I wanted to say thank you to everybody who commented and tweeted at me before and after the race! I definitely thought about all of the messages while I was running and it helped keep me going. ♥
File Under: Athletics
4 Comments
YAY!!!!!!!!!!! So psyched for you!!!! I’m so sorry I haven’t been on Twitter as much lately otherwise I would have been spamming you nonstop!!
I know exactly what you mean about that “moment” when you notice your progress and the difference it’s making for your body. Last week I was able to bend into a new posture in yoga that I had hardly been able to attempt before and same thing… almost started tearing up a bit (had to stop that and breathe though LOL) but it’s so awesome, I am so with you!!
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!! **CHEERS!!**
Grats!
Yay! So happy for you
Woohoo! I like how we both got into running around the same time. I used to hate it (I think I left a comment about that awhile ago) but it has totally totally grown on me. And congratulations on your time and for running the whole way! I love reading about people reaching goals and self improvement and all that. Always makes me feel so excited for them!