First 5k!!!

First 5k is done! Yesterday I ran my first 5k since starting the C25K program a month and a halfish ago. The beginning of the day did not go as planned, however. A brief power outage knocked out my alarm, and thus I woke up with 10 minutes to get ready before I needed to leave for the race. Talk about frustrating and nerve racking! I quickly got dressed and grabbed a bottle of water and a luna bar to try and down while driving there. I got there with a few minutes to spare so I could run to the bathroom and get some stretching in before starting. Needless to say though, I was pretty flustered and had a rock of nervousness in my stomach.

Right at 8 they had us all line up at the start line. It was a pretty small race - just about 200 people it appeared. Most of the people around me looked like seasoned runners and were talking about their various training methods for races much longer than this one. I was a little worried I would bring up the rear, but trying to channel the penguin runner, I just decided to do my best and not kick myself if I didn't run as fast as I wanted.

Well, the gun went and everyone took off. The first 5 minutes were quite exhilarating! I knew I came out running too fast, but I just got caught up in all the energy around me. After about a half of a mile, I started to get winded so I eased up a bit and let the faster runners go by. At the first mile marker, I found that I ran it under 10 minutes! Go me! However, I knew that there would be no way I would be able to continue that pace. They had a water station set up right at the half way point, and that is where I took my first walking break. I really wanted to try and run the whole thing, but I just came out with too much energy. I think, knowing how that feels now, I'll be ready my next race to take it easy in the beginning, and to try and a have that negative split that everyone seems to rave about. So, after the halfway point and a 5 minute break walking break, I took off running again. I decided at that point that my goal was to run the race in under 36 minutes, a feat I had not yet accomplished and would make my mile averages under 12 minutes, which wouldn't be too terrible. I ran until the about the 2.5 mile marker and had to take a walking break again. Next thing I knew, my ipod told me I had a kilometer left and I knew I had to run until I finished the race. So, I took off and vowed not to stop. When I rounded the final corner and could see the finish line, my Ipod told me I finished the 5k, making it probably about 200 meters off of the race distance. So, I hit the button to see how fast I ran the 5k according to my Ipod (since that is what I've been training by) and it said I did the 5k in 34:47!!! I totally blew away the 36 minute mark I couldn't break! My official time crossing the finish line was 35:15, so even that time was under 36 minutes and an official new PR! So, even though I didn't run the whole race, I was a least proud that I was able to get under 36 minutes.

Of course, once the race was over, I wanted to find another 5k to sign up for and try to run the whole thing straight. ;) I think the experience of the first race will give me patience my second attempt to not exhaust myself before the half-way point. Again, it's really amazing how much of running is mental. I just need to pace myself and mentally get over the road block of stopping to walk, and I think I'll be able to run the whole time. Still, overall, not too shabby!

Now, my next race is my dreaded marathon relay - the whole reason I started running in the first place. I need to start scheduling in some longer runs so I can get used to being on my feet for longer than 40 minutes. Monday will start my training for that. Kinda scary, and yet exciting too. :)