A beginner’s emotions and inspirations (Part 2)
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This article is a continuation of a past article. The previous article is a new runner’s point of view as they train for their first race – hence a recap of their emotions and inspirations. To read that article click the following link: http://www.nycjog.com/running/a-beginners-emotions-and-inspirations.
When we left off
In the last article I was preparing for my first race. The Runyon 5K. So what can I say…I survived the Runyon 5k and it was a great experience. In fact it was a great 1st time race experience. I was so proud that I did it, I ran the entire race, no slowing down or walking and I ran passed the finish line, at the right time…unlike others but we will get to that story later. And with one race under my belt I feel the need to run them all.My emotional first race
I was sick and trembling with nerves the entire week leading up to the race and was ready to pull out and think of any excuse not to do it. However, I made sure that I told everyone I know that I was running so I would look like a real ass if I didn’t do it and I slept at my brothers the night before to ensure I would make it there the next morning. Even on the way there in the car my palms were sweaty and my leg was twitching but I was about to embark on an event that would be forever life changing.
Like I have said in my previous article, I would go out every morning at the crack of dawn and go for a run. I started slowly until I reached the three mile mark for the Runyon. I had no problem getting out of bed and everyday it was the same old, same old. Well, let me tell you what it is like for a first time runner at a race – in Yankee Stadium no less.
There are so many emotions that run through your body; anxiety, excitement, nausea. It was so overwhelming and beautiful at the same time.
Each person is running on their own but you are not alone, you are apart of this group. I felt like I was apart of something wonderful, not to sound corny, and the best part is that you are not only doing something great for yourself and your body but most of these races are set up for a great cause benefiting someone or something.
And just like that I was hooked! Of course the feeling crossing the finish line is just as exuberant as waiting for that horn to blow to pass the starting line. Unless, you mistakenly cross the finish line at the wrong time and go back to finish the last mile and then re-cross the finish line to only find out that you have been d’qued (disqualified) and have no place or finish time (sorry Marina). Post-race was great, sure I did not eat or drink that morning and felt a bit faint but after a banana, half of a bagel and 2 bottles of water, the queasiness subsided and I was ready for a real meal.
Now I have a wonderful medal, t-shirt and some great pics to remember such a great day.
Building off this experience
I knew that this feeling of “wanting to run every race” would eventually dissipate so I had to make sure that I would keep up my morning runs. I enrolled myself into another race. I continued to run at the High School track in my area each morning but as August turned to September and September into October those mornings began to get darker and colder and not to mention that once school began the football team and marching band were there with me to practice.This was no good and the cold weather and dark mornings gave me the best excuses not to get out of bed and run. First, it was a day then two, then a week and then two. Was all of my hard work and training really going down the drain? Not to mention the fact that I was also trying really hard to stick to a healthy diet. My solution…JOIN A GYM!
Pumping some iron
I was never really a gym person. I had a membership in my early twenties and I think I’ve gone a handful of times. But now I had to stay committed to running and this was my best bet for my lazy ass. I go three times a week to run and now I even take a class to build muscle tone. For me the best part is that they have a daycare for my kids there too so I don’t have to worry about them (and I get to watch them from the treadmill from the nanny cam!) There really is no comparison to running outdoors but you have to do what you have do!
I really don’t want to skim over this gym business too quickly. For all of you out there who do belong to a gym or run on a treadmill each day I say kudos to you all. First of all I joined this new gym by my house, it’s got all the bells and whistles including a protein shake bar, state of the art cardio movie theatre (am I really going to be on that treadmill for a two hour movie?!), tanning, boxing ring…you name it they have it. Now I am not trying to be fancy or anything, they just had a really good offer and of coarse the babysitting.
Back to the treadmill business, I mean I think I needed a class on how to use this fine piece of machinery before I even set foot on it. It has so many buttons, portals to plug anything from your iPod to your Blackberry into, Direct TV with G-d knows how many channels and the best part of all the nanny cam. It also has all of the traditional info on their as well, heart rate, calories burned, distance, grade of workout and speed. After the treadmill and I got acquainted – I was able to have a pretty good run on it.
Choosing my next race
We have had a pretty mild October here in New Jersey and that is where my second race is, Point Pleasant Beach. I chose to do a race called the Monster Dash 5k because it gave me enough time to train and I figured a Halloween race would be fun. It definitely wasn’t as big a race as the Runyon but it was great. However, for such a wonderful month weather wise, I get the coldest day ever.
Now for a beginner as well as a woman I am concerned about wardrobe, what the hell was I going to wear to this thing? Jacket, shirt, tank and then peel off piece by piece? Which layer do I put my bib on? Which layer do I hook my iPod to? What if I fall while taking off my clothes and stopping was just out of the question. Now I can just see how that is going to turn out I would have to be thankful that this race is run by Pt. Pleasant EMS so that they will be waiting for me with ambulance and gurney in tow. What was the answer? Well, live and learn people. After I went back and forth a hundred times I mean you would think I was getting ready for a date here, I decided to wear and insulated turtle neck and lycra sport pants and it wasn’t a bad choice. Of course we were by the water and the wind was blowing so hard but the sun warmed things up quickly (you work up a nice sweat even in the cold weather when the sun is beading down on you).
It was another great event, this time even easier, I think because it was a flat scenic course unlike the Runyon which had ramps, stairs and lots more stairs. I felt another sense of accomplishment that actually brought a tear to my eye. Having my children and husband there too to cheer me on at the start and finish lines also touched my heart deeply. And this time it was fun in a different way too because so many people dressed up and it was interesting to see those that were actually running to win it in these uncomfortable getups and those that were pleasantly strolling some even with their dogs believe it or not. I dressed up moderately; I wore my running gear and a pair of cat ears.
Looking to the future
So, when is my next race you ask? It will be soon I promise you this. I was pretty proud of my training until I noticed that one of the damn race walkers beat my time. Now people, how the hell does something like that happen? Maybe he cheated a bit and ran a mile or so? A race walker…really? Well, I think that’s enough for anyone to get back out there. I haven’t signed up yet but there is a turkey trot in my neighboring township Thanksgiving Day. It would give me an excuse to eat as much of the bird that I want as well as all of the yummy sides!
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