I did it. I really did it...I completed my first 10k (okay maybe 2 months ago but still). Some would think 'hey thats cool but I could do that, its easy enough.' Now, no one has said that to me but I have a feeling some feel this way. However, to me it is such a great accomplishment that I never saw coming. Who would have thought that a couch potato like me would have run a full 10k and in 60 minutes??? I wouldn't have guessed it in a million years.
Here is how it happened...
In January 2009, my very good friend sent an email to her family and friends stating that she was going to participate in the US Half Marathon Women's 10k. And she invited us all to join her in goal of completing the race on November 1. As soon as I read the email I knew I had to accompany her in her mission. Looking back on it, I feel it was almost as if I were destined to do this. It sounds a little funny and dramatic to say that, but there was no real reason for me to do this, it just sounded right. I replied to her email and informed her that I too would run the race with her.
A week or two later I started a running program that would help me be able to run a full 30 minutes within 8 weeks. Now at the time, when I first started running, it was January and my body was not happy with me. I actually got shin splints the second week of training and my knees were crying. I'm pretty sure it was because of the cold weather and all I knew was that I kept thinking "If this is how its going to be the whole time, I'm going to quit right now." Well, I did quit...for the time being. But I wasn't going to quit the race. I made a commitment to run with my friend and I was not going down that easily.
After running two weeks in January, going on vacation in February and being lazy in March, April and May, I decided to make the effort...again. In the beginning of June I resumed the training program from the beginning. Within weeks I was running 24-28 minutes out of 30. Granted they were in intervals, but that was a big step for me. After 6 weeks of running I was able to run a full 30 minutes!!! Oh my, I was amazed, astonished and ecstatic.
In August I backed out of training as hard as I had in June and July. But I was still able to run 30-40 minutes straight. In September I came to the realization that I only had two months left. I started to train harder and usually in the morning before work. Because it was starting to stay dark later, I knew it wasn't the safest idea to be running outside in the dark. So I made the decision to join a gym. It was the first time in my life that I had ever belonged to a gym in my life. I started working with a trainer and maintained my running program. On September 16th I participated in the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge which was 3.5 miles. I finished in under 35 minutes. Oh my, oh my, was I surprised. It was the hardest thing I had done to date. Once again I was unsure and skeptical the race in November and how it would go if this one was so hard. But I kept training. I kept up my running schedule and before long, before I knew it, my race was here.
Race Weekend...was a blur. Saturday was halloween and we took Faustino's niece and nephew to trick or treat. My legs got tired after 1.5 hours and I was more than ready to go home. Though the hour was going to fall back at 2am, I knew that I would need plenty of rest for my first big race. Sunday came and I woke up at 5am for the 7:30 start time. We had to leave the house by 5:45 due to the Bay Bridge closure. I made it to the start line 5 minutes prior to start time and met up with my friend.
And the race begins...
The first minute was uphill and then from there it was all about getting my timing down. I knew I wanted to complete the race in 60 minutes so I just had to maintain a good speed. Actually it was a speed that I had never maintained for that long. When the race started I forgot to look at my watch. But I approximated the start time so that way I would be able to monitor my time. About 5 minutes into the race I got a text message from my Aunt Pat wishing me good luck. I didn't open it but I could see the beginning of the text it helped set the tone for the race. For the next 55 minutes I kept a steady pace, always trying to stay close behind the woman in the pink top.
About half way through my race the half marathon runners were passing me up (they started 30 minutes before the 10k runners). Man, were they going fast... but that is beside the point. Finally I finished mile 6 and only had a few more minutes to go... but it was uphill. This was really tough and my pace slowed down. But there were people sitting in the park along the walkway that kept cheering everyone on. It was a struggle and I finally made it to the top of the hill. But they say what goes up must come down and sure enough there was a steap downhill portion right at the end.
Knowing my luck, if I sprinted down the hill and to the finish line I would either 1) fall down right on my face or 2) throw up at the end. So instead of taking my chances, I maintained a steady but increased pace. And there it was... the finish line. I finished my race just shy of 60 minutes which ended of being a 9:40 mile.
That was two months ago...so now what do I do? What else? I start training for the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Seattle on June 26, 2010. My parents, my brother, my Aunt Pat and I have made a pact to run the half marathon together. I was proud of my feat but what I am even more proud of is my parents, their dedication and hard work. I know we will do great come June. :)
