How do you like to spend your winter Saturday mornings? Roll out of bed around 10am, read the paper and contemplate and early lunch? That’s what I thought. Average Joe dreams of those kinds of Saturdays – but the alarm woke him a recent Saturday morning at 7am. Race day today and the March version of the Frosty 5K is calling.
As unnatural as leaving a warm bed for a cold run may sound, it was a goal I set for myself. Creating a race schedule, a training schedule, a list of events, etc, is as essential as proper training and nutrition - no matter what sport you try. Written goals help us stay on track and focused.
Arriving at McAlpine Park, I noticed several people waiting in their cars – with good reason – the car thermometer registered 32 degrees. Well, they didn’t name this race the “Mild 5K” or the “Balmy 5K”! Many of those folks looked like Average Joe felt – “Am I really doing this?” But then Joe noticed how many families were getting ready with their kids to run this event. OK Joe, let’s go – Get Motivated!! As I left the warm car, I could see my breath. A bunch of students from the local college Cross Country team bounded by with a higher energy level than mine. Average Joe knows what Friday nights were like in college, so if these kids could get up this early to run – so could Joe!
The race organizers were set up and ready to go. They were very efficient in getting the runners their “goody bags”, T-shirts and race chips. There were plenty of helpful volunteers to assist and direct. Everyone had a smile on their face. Maybe this was going to actually be fun!
After the pre-race instructions and information, we assembled at the starting line. They staggered our start – a very smart move, so the slow Joes don’t get trampled by the fast Joes! 3…2…1 and we are off. The beginning of a race is always a little tricky – finding your rhythm, creating space between you and the other runners, and watching the really fast people disappear ahead of you!
This race was a trail race, which was something new to Joe. The crunch of the trail beneath you, the winding in and out of the woods – this was very cool. Joe found his stride and the 1st mile marker quickly came and went. Other than a guy pushing a stroller who passed Joe, no complaints at all – People who run that fast could give their babies windburn!! The second mile contained more hills and woods, but a great challenge. By now, Joe had heated up and had removed his gloves. Mile 3 – harder to keep a steady pace, but running beside the pond was really nice. Luckily, Joe found another runner at the same pace to help steady him through a tough stretch. Oh wow, there is the finish line! Does Joe have any left in the tank? Sure – he can recover on the couch all afternoon! Joe hits another gear he didn’t know he had in him, and crosses the finish line! What a feeling! What a fun run!
Bananas and organic chocolate chip cookies make a perfect post-race breakfast. Check a goal off of Average Joe’s list. A certain sense of pride will be evident every time Joe puts on the Frosty 5K t-shirt. And guess what?!? Joe is actually looking forward to the next race. Hope to see you out there!
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