Well, I did it! I ran my first race. It was a pretty great experience, and I’m super glad I did it.
As I wrote last week, my Wednesday run was an absolute nightmare. Thankfully, I had two pretty serious morale boosters. On Friday, I went out and did an easy mile and a half run and felt amazing. I definitely felt more confident after having a good run. On Saturday morning, I woke up early to go to yoga and saw this:
Elizabeth dropped these off early in the morning, and they were the BEST surprise ever! I was so excited and touched and it made my morning. I had an amazing yoga class, which totally bolstered my confidence and left for Bri’s house feeling excited and ready.
We met up with Nicole, Amber, Becca and Gretchen for a pre-race dinner. I had whole wheat pasta with meat sauce—I wanted some protein but didn’t want to do white flour the night before a race. It was delicious and the company was lovely. Bri and I headed home and went to bed early.
Early yesterday morning, I woke up, had a cup of coffee, a banana and some peanut butter—it’s my current favorite pre-run food. I got dressed in my pre-run outfit and Bri and I headed to meet up with her friends. When we arrived, I realized I had forgotten both my Garmin and my iPod filled with my carefully-constructed workout playlist. I freaked out. I live and die by my playlist, and I knew that without it, this run would SUCK. Thankfully, one of Bri’s friends loaned me her headphones and I was able to use my iPhone to play a similar playlist. I cannot tell you how grateful I was to have music. I also know I’ll never make the same mistake again.
We got close to the race and took a few pictures:
I wore a pretty standard grey tank/black capri/ but threw on a hoodie from my yoga studio, a Team Sparkle skirt and a sparkly Bani Bands headband (all of which match my shoes—not pictured!). It was fun to have a little extra sparkle for this run—it was the Diva Run after all!
We watched the half marathoners go and the lined up in our corrals. I was INSANELY nervous but when it came time to go, I was super excited. I tried to stay in a good mental place and just go slow and steady. I ran the first 1.5 miles without stopping but then had to take a brief walk break. I picked up the pace again until the last half mile when I got a HORRIBLE stitch in my side. It was pretty bad. I slowed to a walk and walked about a quarter of a mile until the cramp went away.
Right before the finish line, you are given a tiara and a feather boa to wear across the finish line. Once I had my tiara and boa, and saw the finish line, I got ridiculously excited and ran pretty hard. I was SO excited! It was fun to hear the announcer yell my name and to cross over, knowing I’d done my first real race.
I grabbed my bagel and grapes from the “cafe” area, was handed a rose and a shirtless man put my medal on me (hahahaha—no really!) and I sat under a tree and enjoyed my snack. I felt surprisingly good and stretched out a bit.
One of the things I heard over and over again from (well-meaning) people was that this was “just a 5K.” I completely recognize that for some people, for most people even, running 3.1 miles is a short distance and no big deal. For me, this race was so much more than a 5K. It has symbolized a huge change in my life, and in me. On a simple level, it’s that I’ve really, really committed this time to getting healthy. But on a deeper level, for me, this has been about changing my belief about myself and what I’m capable of. I used to say that I would never be a runner because I just wasn’t good at it. I’ve believed that I would never be able to get healthy or make real change in myself. But with every training run or yoga class, and especially in crossing the finish line, I’m proving myself wrong.
Next race: June 3! I’m doing the Kaiser Women’s Fitness Festival 5K in downtown Sacramento. My goal is under 40 minutes. I’m pretty sure that with some extra work this month, I can make it happen—I can’t wait to get back out and run this week.
Just a 5k?! It’s 5k! That’s amazing! Good for you, it’s such a good feeling to achieve something you’ve worked for. And in a fab outfit too!!
Aw, I’m sad to hear that people said to you that it was “just” a 5K. I’ve run a million races, but whenever I meet anyone at their first of anything race I always am sure to congratulate them and tell them they’ll do great. I can’t believe they have forgotten how important that was to them at their first 5K. I know it was for me!
Congratulations! I’m so proud of you! And I love that you got dressed up! I’ve never dressed up for a race and I feel a little bit guilty about that.
P.S. I forgot my iPod and nike chip at the Thankgiving 10K a couple years back and it completely devastated me. I spent the ENTIRE race obsessing over how I’d forgotten these uber important items, so I totally understand how you must have felt. I used my iPhone as well for that race but I was so disappointed not to have my time recorded. You better believe I double check everything now.
Congratulations!! I love all the loot you got at the finish line. Running without music is absolutely impossible for me too so I can imagine how happy you were to get those headphones!
Congrats! I am so glad you had a great racing experience. And yes, it’s not ‘just’ a 5k! It’s a great accomplishment!
Hey there, I’ve only recently started reading your blog and thought now would be a good time to say hello, and congratulations! I’m in the process of training to run 5K so I know how hard it is and what a great achievement. It’s never ‘just’ 5K, and although many people don’t mean it in a bad way, its not about the distance its about the achievement in itself, so well done! And I can’t run without music either – I don’t think many people can!
YAY AMY! C ongrats!!!
Fantastic! So proud of you! Thanks for the write up. Can’t wait to hear about the next one.
You look great, by the way! :)
There is no “just” about a 5k. You are awesome! Congratulatioms! I know how much you’ve wanted to do this, and how hard you’ve worked.
Congrats Amy!
Congrats on reaching your goal! Now check that off, pat yourself on the back and move on to the next — you’re a runner, lady. There’s no denying it now! :)
Congratulations!!!
LOVE your skirt – you looked so dang cute in your 5K outfit!
Congrats! You are such an inspiration Amy!
congrats on your 5K! :)
congrats amy! that is so awesome and whoever says “just a 5K” doesn’t know what they’re talking about. any distance is an impressive distance, woo! also love the whole outfit and so fun you got a tiara and boa to end the race, love it.
Girl, it’s never “just a 5K” especially when it’s your first! I’ve only been running for 6 months, but when I started I couldn’t run 1 mile without stopping, let alone 3.1. It’s a big deal! Great job!
Way to go Amy!! It’s definitely not *just* a 5K so don’t let anyone make you feel like it’s not important. You SHOULD be very proud and happy with yourself!
I know very well how much more than a 5K that was for you. I am so proud that you did it! And now just think – you conquered that one, you can do ANYTHING.
Well done and congratulations! Keep on running!
I’m so proud of you, Amy! You did it!! Congrats!
I have a confession to make, though. I often have to tell myself it IS “just” a 5K to calm my nerves. Telling myself, “It’s only 3 miles. You can handle 3 miles.” helps me. But at the same time, I acknowledge how awesome it is that I even attempted it! 3 miles is a long distance, nonetheless!
Way to go!
Congratulations! I’ll counter those people saying this was “just” a 5K – I am terrible at running and have no stamina, so I am definitely super impressed. I love your outfit, too! Maybe I’ll take up running simply to wear sparkle skirts… hm…
A 5k is nothing to belittle. Good for you for acknowledging what this race means to you. I’m proud of you, lady. You’re awesome.
Hooray for you! What a great feeling it must be!
This is super inspiring!! Way to go! I have made it a goal to be sign up for a 5k at the end of this summer and to be able to do it! I am nowhere near being able to do that right now but its exciting to think that I might be able to in a few months!
So so so so so proud of you. YAY!!!!
Kick ass! So proud of you! So glad you had fun. Organized races are so awesome because there is nothing but positive energy in the air. It’s so incredibly motivating!
Also, may I just say, you are lookin’ GOOD lady!
That’s great! So glad that it went well! I’m not sure who said it was just a 5k, but it’s never “just” an anything! It’s a great achievement! Good job!
So proud of you! It feels amazing to cross the finish line, doesn’t it? :) Love you sparkle skirt!
Congrats on your first 5K! I also ran/walked one this weekend. At first I felt bad about having to walk, but then I remembered the “no shit talking yourself while you’re doing something good for you” and I was proud of myself…for keeping it up and finishing and that I was kind to myself. Know that you help inspire me!
So much awesome, Amy! Get it, girl!
I wish I could run that 5K with you on June 3rd, but I already committed to blogger brunch plans. :
Congrats!! You def kicked ass and i love the outfit! I know what you mean, esp when everyone you know is doing the hardcore distances of marathons etc. But don’t fret – 5k is a HUGE achievement!!
You trained, looked after yourself and gave it your all. That’s all anyone can ever ask of you and you did it with style as well.
I’m running an 8k this Sunday for a Mother’s Day Classic run and am insanely nervous after not running in so long :)
Good luck for the one in June too!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! that is a WICKED accomplishment, you must be so proud! i remember when i first reached 5km, i actually CRIED i was so happy! props to you (and your bad ass racing outfit!)
Congrats Amy! Well done! And I love that tiara and feather boa you got for the finish. Awesome.
Also: there is no such thing as ‘just’ a 5k. Definitely beats anyone not running…
So proud of you!! Congrats! xoxo
Congrats girl! You look great!
Way to go! Don’t let those with “just a 5k” responses get you done. Every mile is meaningful. Your 5k sounds wonderful and I’m so glad it meant something wonderful to you. Now I need to get myself in one of those races where shirtless men hand me medals….
CONGRATULATIONS!! This is such an awesome milestone for you and I’m so happy for you! You look amazing, by the way!
Congratulations!!! And it isn’t JUST a 5k!! It’s a huge accomplishment! I remember my first one, and they still scare me to death!