Vinni, Viddi, Finis!

... I went, I looked about for a bit, I FINISHED!

It's been a little while since I sat at a keyboard and wrote anything regarding this project called Me. However, fear not. All things have continued save for the blogging. The Hippo has continued to haul around KCR and the vicinity in a vain attempt to become a Lesser person while becoming More. The run/walking has decreased BUT the miles under the wheels of the mountain bike have increased dramatically. I came across several people in the blogsphere who were attempting what I was striving for. They too had begun to run but found it somewhat demoralizing as they lacked the basic core strength. Self defeat abounded. People floundered. A couple of them though decided that a little cross-training was in order and took to their bikes. I have followed suit. The effects have been both rapid and very, very pleasing. These efforts have culminated in today, Turkey Day.

On Tuesday I was sitting reading the Denver Post in a coffee shop while Sam was being cute. In a section called 'fitness' I read about the upcoming Turkey Day 5k races around the city. I became very interested when I realized 1: I was off and 2: I really really REALLY wanted to take part in one of these events. I pored over the article and decided I should go for the Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5k. It was close to home and strollers were encouraged! As Al had to work, this was excellent. I took notes and went home buzzing from a 4 shot Large Latte and the prospect of actually entering an event.

Entering on line was so easy. I could even pay with Paypal. 100% secure. Within 10 minutes of reaching home, I had my entry confirmed by email. Damn, I was in. Hummn, I was now in and the event was 2 days away. Better get prepared. I downloaded the course map and studied both it and the entry info online. Yes, I was having an attack of analitis.

I had a hard time sleeping last night. It was a mix of fear, excitement and erm, fear. Ok so I have run 3+ miles before. I have been able to complete the run in pretty good times but I have never been in a running group. Etiquette, I needed etiquette. Back to the computer. More googling. More answers. More questions. Deep reading of back copies of Runners World. Ok. I felt I knew enough not to embarrass myself. So, the bare bones: Know where you are going. Get there early and take your time. Relax. Drink a modest amount of fluid (Naked Juice Protein) and water. Go pee early (no lines). Get your race number, chip, t-shirt and other shwag early so you can take it back to the car. Pee again. Then walk to warm up. Stretch well and line up somewhere near the back (but infront of the strollers and the dogs). Start. Sounds easy eh?

The start was just off of Santa Fe and Town Center Drive. It had plenty of free parking. I was there by 0730 and the event staff were still setting up. I got my bearings, my number (344), my timing chip and my shwag. I took the schwag back to the car and sat with the radio on and the heater off. The wind was blowing outside and I wanted to keep "at temperature". I made the first pit stop and then set out to warm up. The stadium has a couple of full sized baseball pitches in the center of the site. I walked nervously around them. Others were walking, jogging and running around the same paths. On the South side of the pitches I realized this was the end of the race route. I passed the 3 mile marker and followed the route to where the finish was set up. Good future tip. End of race strategy to sprint in set up!

I made my second pitstop. The center of the staging area was now filled with people. Lots of people. People, kids, dogs and strollers. Everyone was generally milling around to keep warm. I stretched well. Finally the speakers announced that we should make our way to Town Center Drive which had been closed to traffic for the start. I put myself on the center line of the road just in front of the strollers and the dogs. (And the strollers with dogs). I was about 2/3 back from the start. It was a party. Everyone was chatting and trying to keep warm. One minute the speakers announced. Thirty seconds. And, we were off. As I crossed the start mats, I started my Garmin. Damn. I realized I was in an actual race. It did not feel natural but oh well.

We set off along Town Center Drive at a modest walk. The group slowly began to thin. Walking became fast walking then jogging then a loping run. Hell. I was doing this. I was actually doing this.

I glanced at my Garmin. We had already covered almost half a mile. The course turned right and then the hill began. I shifted from running to fast walking and began to pass some of those who had passed me and not paced themselves. The next half mile seemed to take forever. The group was well strung out now and there was no issue to pass anyone or to be passed. Some of the stronger stroller people passed the group I was with. Everyone was finding their ability group to pace with. Finally the one mile marker was here at an elementary school. The course now turned into a neighbourhood and meandered passed homes and tracts of open space. I (and many others I noted) had sneaked my Walkman and the music was a perfect match for the route and the pace.

The course turned flat and then a gentle downhill slope started. I was running again. Mile 2 came up way quicker than mile one. My Garmin agreed with the course markers so I guessed the route was correct. At mile 2 there was also a water station. I had brought my own so I kept to the left as others dived for the water to the right. At the aid station the route turned right and entered the open space. The path descended and I ran again. I began passing some people I had not seen before so I guessed they had been ahead of me. The small group I was with was pacing ourselves well. In the distance were the floodlight towers I had walked past earlier during my nervous warm-up walk. I glanced at the Garmin, my pace as great. There was a chance I would beat my goal time of 48 minutes.

We turned into the paved area next to the ball fields. As we reached the last turn to put us on the assembly area I could see the finish. I took off. I entered the chute and people were shouting "sprint, sprint, sprint!" to the finishers. I pulled my phone from my pocket and tried to take a picture of the finish as I entered the chute. I looked up at the time clock and reached to the stop button on my Garmin. I crossed the finish line in 42' 14". Wow. I had done it and I was under my goal of 48 minutes.

Through the chutes I gave back my timing chip and headed for the lines passing through the refreshment tables. I felt such a sense of achievement. From not being able to walk far let alone run anywhere, I had finished my first 5k! Vinni, Viddi, Finis. I went, I looked about for a bit and I FINISHED. I was not last either, something I felt could happen.

So, now what? I came home and spent a little time surfing to see upcoming races. 5k's and 10'k's and Duathalons........ but I'm getting ahead of myself here. Let's get over this one and look ahead a little. I want to build on this. I want to run the whole race. I want to be more solid in my performance. I want to reduce my times. I want to do better, push myself further. I am hooked.