More about the 5K
Just a few more things I want to remember about the 5K:
...the guitar players, tambourine man, fire brigade,and others who stood by the side of the road, cheering us on as we raced. Particularly wonderful were the firemen, who hooted and cheered (nicely!!! encouragingly!!!) us walkers with as much vigor as they must have when the runners sprinted on by. They made us feel like we actually had a chance to win the race, LOL!
...generally speaking, the race staff and spectators all made the racers feel very loved and supported. I wasn't expecting that. I don't know if it always happens in races. But it was a wonderful complement to my very first race.
...did I mention the goodies we got? Wow! I came home with a whole bagful of freebies. Good ones too, like face moisturizer, a book, a race towel, a number of other little doo dads, and most touchingly, a single yellow rose, handed to us at the finish line. Breakfast and coffee also awaited us at race's end.
...participants...yes, the winners were all the lithe, strong, long-legged type that people associate with running. But women of every age, shape, color, and persuasion were there in force. A woman in a wheelchair...a blind runner...women young and old, fat and thin...we were all there. As far as I could tell, the oldest participant was 79. You should have seen the woman who won the 70+ age group...a gorgeous Asian woman with long gray hair and the body of a 25 year old. She and the other winners gave me hope. Not that I'll ever win a race like that (the winner ran the ENTIRE 5K in 18 minutes!) but I take inspiration from them.
...the race course was mostly easy and flat. There were two slight hills: one on the approach to Fort McHenry and one down one of the side streets. But those were very mild. It wasn't hard for me. I still felt like I could have walked more, even though when I got to the end I was glad to get there.
...I think the finish line is a state of mind, to be honest. I'm finding out more about the psychological aspect of all this, and what I'm discovering about myself is that if I set myself a goal, I can reach it. To be able to do this in the physical fitness realm is absolutely a new experience for me...something I never thought was within my abilities. I've always been someone who lives in my head, counting on my smarts to get me through life. Let's just say that these days, I'm learning to love my body, finally.
Ok, I've bored you all enough with this. :)
...the guitar players, tambourine man, fire brigade,and others who stood by the side of the road, cheering us on as we raced. Particularly wonderful were the firemen, who hooted and cheered (nicely!!! encouragingly!!!) us walkers with as much vigor as they must have when the runners sprinted on by. They made us feel like we actually had a chance to win the race, LOL!
...generally speaking, the race staff and spectators all made the racers feel very loved and supported. I wasn't expecting that. I don't know if it always happens in races. But it was a wonderful complement to my very first race.
...did I mention the goodies we got? Wow! I came home with a whole bagful of freebies. Good ones too, like face moisturizer, a book, a race towel, a number of other little doo dads, and most touchingly, a single yellow rose, handed to us at the finish line. Breakfast and coffee also awaited us at race's end.
...participants...yes, the winners were all the lithe, strong, long-legged type that people associate with running. But women of every age, shape, color, and persuasion were there in force. A woman in a wheelchair...a blind runner...women young and old, fat and thin...we were all there. As far as I could tell, the oldest participant was 79. You should have seen the woman who won the 70+ age group...a gorgeous Asian woman with long gray hair and the body of a 25 year old. She and the other winners gave me hope. Not that I'll ever win a race like that (the winner ran the ENTIRE 5K in 18 minutes!) but I take inspiration from them.
...the race course was mostly easy and flat. There were two slight hills: one on the approach to Fort McHenry and one down one of the side streets. But those were very mild. It wasn't hard for me. I still felt like I could have walked more, even though when I got to the end I was glad to get there.
...I think the finish line is a state of mind, to be honest. I'm finding out more about the psychological aspect of all this, and what I'm discovering about myself is that if I set myself a goal, I can reach it. To be able to do this in the physical fitness realm is absolutely a new experience for me...something I never thought was within my abilities. I've always been someone who lives in my head, counting on my smarts to get me through life. Let's just say that these days, I'm learning to love my body, finally.
Ok, I've bored you all enough with this. :)