My First Race

Yesterday I ran my first race ever.  Late last year I decided that I was going to enter my first half-marathon in 2012 and have been training hard for it since.  That race isn't until May, but it only hit me about a month ago that I should try my hand at a few smaller races to get the feel and vibe of what it would be like to race with other people.  I went onto interiorrunning.ca and saw that there was the Lakeside Fun Run 5k coming up within a few weeks.  Perfect, sign me up!

A week before the race I must've looked at the pamphlet and re-read it over and over and over again at least 20 times.  I was convinced I was either going to sleep in (which is almost impossible with three children awake everyday at 7 a.m. or earlier), miss the sign-in time, or end up running down the wrong streets.  I was nervous, but excited.  How would I compare?  I've only ever ran against myself, trying each week to achieve new personal records.  As long as I did my best and gave it my all I'd be happy.

Race morning came.  I had drank far too much wine and had gotten much too little sleep the night before, but we had planned to have friends over for a poker party well before my plans to race.  I knew it'd be okay, it was only 5k.  Small beans to someone who had ran 18.5 k (my longest distance yet) a week before.  I re-hydrated, read the pamphlet another three times, checked the clock every 2 minutes, and went over all the items in my gym bag repeatedly.  Okay, lets do this!

The Lakeside Resort was abuzz, filled with runners of all ages, shapes, and sizes.  Some stretching off to the side, most in small groups socialising, some parents planning on running with kids in strollers (brave, or crazy, I'll let you decide.), ones in crazy outfits (one guy was wearing orange and black tiger striped biker shorts with matching spandex arm warmers.  I wish I could've gotten a picture!), and the nervous newbs like myself. 

I sign in well ahead of the cut off time (phew, now all that's left is to make sure I go down the right streets), and get my husband to double check that my number is pinned on straight.  I've got a number!!!  I take a lot of photo's with said number, pointing at it like a geek.  If there were doubts as to whether or not this was my first race, I just alleviated any uncertainty.  And I took many pictures with my children who are so excited to see me race. 

We head outside and line up as the time draws near.  I recognize a few people from Peach City Runners, some from the track, and a few other acquaintances.  I put myself a bit near the front, but not too far because I'm not crazy fast like tiger-stripe guy (come on, he's got to be if he's bold enough to wear an outfit like that!), and away we go.  I pace myself, hearing the words of my Uncle in my head, reminding me not to go all out and to leave myself with enough stamina for the end.  People pass me, but I don't let it worry me.  It wasn't until I was almost halfway that I looked at my Nike GPS ap and saw that my pace was much too slow if I wanted to finish with a decent time.  What have I done?!  Ugh, mental note made to check that thing earlier next time.  I pick it up and start passing others.  I look up when I hear honking and see my friend Nicole waving and cheering me on!  You know you have awesome friends when...

On the route back, 1km away from the finish line, I hear "Go DJ Dawny Dawnnnnnnn!" yelled from a parked vehicle, only to see my friends Jamie and Janice shouting cheers at me.  It couldn't have come at a better time, what an amazing feeling!  I pick it up even more, pass a few others, see that finish line and book it.  I choke back tears as I cross the line, overwhelmed with emotion.  I was so unbelievably proud of myself and what I had just accomplished.  I scan the crowd searching for my family and see them jumping up and down, waving and cheering.  They rush over to give me hugs and congratulate me.  Yup, there's those tears I had been holding back.     I'm certain having my family there to cheer me on was my biggest motivator. It didn't matter how fast I went, or how good my time was, seeing their smiling faces at the end as I crossed the line was by far the best feeling in the world!

I find out my time was 24:26.  Not bad, not my best, but still not bad.  We go back inside for a few snacks.  The kids are restless so we decide to skip the awards and leave. 

It wasn't until I was updating my status on facebook, broadcasting proudly to the world what I had just accomplished, when a friend asked me why I didn't stay for the awards?  I had won 3rd place for my age category and there was a medal waiting for me.  I was completely dumbfounded.  Agast.  Shocked.  Stunned.  I what?!  How?  WHAT?!

A medal on my first race, how completely unexpected.  Obviously I wore it all day.  My kids took turns wearing it, proudly telling all their friends, and anyone that would listen, that their mom won a medal.  That was a great mommy moment right there.  And for future races, I have absolutely no expectations on winning anything else.  I'll give it all I've got and take absolute delight in seeing the beautiful faces of my loved ones at the end.  That gave me more joy than any medal could.