Race Report -- New Directions 5K

First off, I don't know how to write a proper race report.  Second, this really wasn't a proper race.  Ok, now that we have that taken care of, let me tell you a story.

The New Directions program at the local hospital is a medically supervised "rapid" weight loss program that I have been trying to follow for the last two years.  It really is a good program when I choose to not sabotage myself.  The merits of a medically supervised program certainly has its pros and cons.  But that's not what is important right now.  What is important is that every September the program holds a 5K fun run for its clients and their families

There were 12 runners this year.  Of the twelve, I believe I was the only client to run that was still in "weight loss" mode.  Others were either family or had made it to "maintenance" mode.  It certainly seemed to me that I was the largest person to actually attempt to run.  Now, last year it seemed that the runners included up to 30 runners and I placed pretty much mid pack.  I was also 50 pounds lighter.  How I gained weight while faithfully participating in a medically supervised "rapid" weight loss program is another story and isn't important right now.  What is important is that this year, with only 12, I ran dead last. Most who ran last year chose instead to participate in the 5K fun walk  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was a overcast but otherwise fine fall morning.  The temps were in the mid 70s.  My wife had planned to run as well, but her recent illness made that impossible.  Luckily, my 12 yo daughter did not have a cross country meet that day and the race officials were kind enough to let her run in my wife's place.  I was really looking forward to spending the morning with her.

We set off and, as we had planned, my daughter took off ahead.  My pace is about 15 mins per mile right now and, frankly, it would have been difficult for her to maintain such a slow place for 3.1 miles.  I'm ok with that.  I got about a half mile out before I realized I will not be able to keep pace with the other runners.  And I was a little disheartened by that.  I mean, who WANTS to be last?  I tried my best not to think about it and focus on my game plan.  Run 6 mins, walk 1.

The route took us through park trails, over bridges, along the river and, for a bit, along a busy street on a side walk.  It really was a gorgeous day.  And I did find myself enjoying the run for what it was...a chance to show to myself I could do it.

Then it happened.  I got passed by a walker.  A big, goofy guy speed walking just zipped past me like I wasn't there.  I have to say it was more than a little embarrassing and I thought, for just a moment, to just pack it in.  My first DNF.  I was dead last and got passed by goofus.  My arches were killing me. My back hurt.  The route took us past a Mc Donald's (WTH? Why would a weight loss program route their race past a Mc Donald's.  Really). 

But I wasn't going to let my daughter down.  We had planned that she would come back along the race and run my last half mile with me.  I pushed forward, keeping to the game plan.

That goofus walker, I must concede, was about 6'2", had a stride twice as long as my own and had obviously trained to speedwalk.  One could tell that from the efficiency of his motion.  Every quarter mile he'd walk backwards exactly 15 steps.  I don't know why.  I do know that he passed at least two other runners besides myself.  I wasn't so disheartened once that happened.

Dear daughter did meet me as planned.  She had crossed the finish line second (unfortunately the race only allowed for clients to place) and was so excited.  She ran with me, pushing me to push through.  I could hear the other walkers finally gaining on me, with one 8 year old girl actually passing me for about 10 seconds, but then she got a side stitch and had to slow down (heh heh heh).  I kicked it about 100 yards from the finish line and held my daughter's hand as we crossed the finish line at 42 minutes and 6 seconds.

I remember thinking at that moment just how happy I was to have done this and to have my daughter with me as I did.  I also realized that I had done it for myself just as much as I stayed in there and not disappoint her.

Everyone got a participation medal that day, if they finished.  I know it is dorky, but I wore mine with great pride.  I didn't care if anyone stared at the grocery store or in the pharmacy.  I am 40 years old, 120 pounds overweight, and I ran a 5K dammit.