A month ago, on March 18th, my husband and I met up with his Aunt and Uncle to run a 10k. My second scheduled race in my pursuit of fulfilling my dream of running a marathon. This would be my first and I was worried how it would go as my training had been a bit on the hit or miss side. I was confident I would finish it. The big question was how long would I take.
The morning was chilly and overcast and the race starting area was very festive in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. The race course was on the road going around Lake Harriett in Minneapolis, MN. The 5k was once around and the 10k was twice with the 10k runners starting first. My husband ran with me while the others ran on ahead. Our pace wasn't the fastest, but steady and I was feeling good about it. I picked up my pace and left my husband behind. He had trained even less than me and I was pretty sure he was there more to encourage me than to actually run. The first loop went well with other runners passing me on a steady basis until I started on the second loop and realized the 5k runners had caught up to me and I was the only one at that point headed around the lake again. It was little lonely being the only runner on the race course. There were lots of people going around the lake, walking, running, pushing strollers, but no other runners. As I passed the halfway around the lake point one of the officers keeping traffic off the road we were running on asked me if I was the last one. I looked back and not seeing anyone who remotely looked like they were running the race said I think so and kept on running. Less than a quarter of a mile from the finish I spotted my husband coming toward me. He shouted encouragement and joined me in the final push to the end. His Aunt and Uncle were waiting to cheer me into the final stretch and across the finish line.
I did it!
I had run my first 10k and I did it at my goal pace of 15 minute miles. At the time I was pretty pumped and figured I was well on my way of running longer distances. Except there is this one little thing called 'trying to get everything done before I run' that keeps getting in the way of my running. Things like getting my mother's house ready to sell, agreeing to a third day of childcare a week, and getting ready for a two week trip to Nepal. It seems I am running around all day everyday without even putting my running shoes on. Maybe after a couple of weeks of vacation I will gain some perspective and come home more determined to put my dream of running first, or at least closer to the top of the to-do list.
Keep running my friends, never give up your dreams!
