The 5k Run

Heart pounding. I can see my breath in the cool evening air. The sun is slowly setting, casting long shadows on the blacktop. My breathing is heavy and rhythmic, but in no way labored.

Jogging along, I reflect back to 3 years ago. A time where I could not walk more than 100 feet without feeling out of breath and fatigued. My exercise at that time consisted of walking from my car to the office and from the couch to the fridge. And here I am 3 years later, participating in my first 5k run.

The techno beats of DJ Steveboy are blaring in my ears as I feel my footfalls keeping in time with them. The more experienced and fit runners are passing me in droves. It was lonely being in the middle of the pack but I was thankful. Thankful for the experience.

Halfway through I could feel my body wanting to give up. 'Come on, I already ran 7k this morning. You worked all day. Can't we just walk the rest of the course?' The pleas from my body became stronger, but I knew if I stopped I would not start again. It took all of my mental strength to push through and keep going.

Stopping for me was not an option, even when I came to the only steep incline on the course. I was mentally prepared for the run. I knew my limitations. I knew what I was capable of. Running this course was a drop in the bucket for me physically. Although my body didn't feel prepared, I knew - I KNEW that I could do it.

A young girl was always a few yards ahead of me on the course. We began to play a sort of passing game - I would pass her and a few minutes later I would hear her footfalls catching up to me, running ahead for a few yards and then slowing down. We did this a few times until she could no longer keep up.

I passed a few more people, some elderly joggers, a few 'carpool' moms, but nothing would match the challenge that young girl presented to me on the course. Focusing again on the task at hand, I pressed on with a bad case of 'side stitch', the whole left side of my body ached with each footfall.

A friend had offered some advice to me before the run began. "Stay to the rear of the starting pack to avoid the stampede and when you are 3/4 of the way to the finish line, pour all of your energy into that last 1/4 of the run." I took that advice and used up all the remaining energy I had. I could feel my heart beating faster and faster, my legs began to feel like rubber, but I could see the finish line beginning to come closer and closer.

Although no one was waiting for me at the finish line to share this moment, I could not keep from smiling. A milestone. A growth moment. Something that nobody or anything could ever take away from me...