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Health & Fitness

First 10K - Lessons Learned

If I could do a 10K, most anyone can! But you can't do it until get up off that couch!

As I mentioned in my last blog, I lost weight because I was walking. Actually, more inches than pounds. While I may never have buns of steel, I can safely say I no longer have buns of Jell-O. And that is in spite of my setbacks. It is why it is so critical when you come up to a roadblock, to keep going after you maneuver around it.

I signed up for a charity 5K in September 2009. This was in the gap just after I began to recover from the  tendonitis in my foot and before my Dad (bless his heart) ran over the same foot at Thanksgiving. Not only did I raise $250, but I found my competitive spirit challenged. I finished in good time and felt great! It was the first time I had walked that distance.

So when my sibs decided at Christmas 2009 to do the Cooper River Bridge Run in March, 2010, I said YES!! Later, between the bone bruise and the flu, I was concerned as I had not been able to train up as much as I  wanted to. I felt OK with distance on the flat. But the bridge??? That was a whole ‘nother proposition.

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My sister Patricia and I drove down together the Friday before the race. For the record, Pat sees the world in a special way. I personally thoroughly enjoy her viewpoint. In spite of having a web link to the race site,a brochure with the bridge prominently featured, and a race named “Bridge Run," she did not realize until we were almost in Charleston that we were going to be walking over a honking big bridge. Pat is bridge phobic and has been known to drive over high bridges with her eyes closed. She almost turned around at that point!

But we share a desire to achieve and we did make it to Charleston. We met my sister Kate, her husband Dane and my marathon runner niece Ashleigh at the top of the round Holiday Inn with a panoramic view of Charleston. It was at dinner that we found out we did not have the reservations we thought had. Not good, as Charleston is booked up on race weekend. After much worry, and thanks to Kate’s connections, we got to stay in a model apartment closer to the starting line. Much better after all.

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The next morning, we headed over to the race start around 6:30. I found out that not only was I walking 6.2 miles, we had a 1.5 mile walk just to the starting line! But the walk was worth it. The excitement of mingling with 35,000 of your new best friends waiting for the start is incredible. There is no feeling like it! The energy is extraordinary and contagious.

I walked fairly conservatively at the beginning as I was concerned about the bridge elevation. By the time we got close to the bridge, we all had to make a rest stop. Bad decision. When we got finished, we were at the tail end of the race. At that point, Pat began running. Kate decided to stay with me. As we began the bridge climb, we passed an elderly woman walking with a cane next to a wheel chair being pushed by her companion! If she could do this, I most certainly could.

Once we hit the bridge, I got my confidence back. I began to pick up speed and started passing people. When we hit the top and started down, I was really moving. Until I realized I was walking alone. I looked back and Kate was hobbling along about 100 yards behind me. Her knee had given out. Kate was determined to finish, so we hobbled to the finish line together.

At about the 5 mile mark, Dane, Pat and Ashleigh came back to join us after their finishes. At least Pat thought she had finished. Pat, Kate and I walked under the photo op platform together, arm-in-arm. As we passed under it, Pat stopped. Seemed she thought it was finish line and had yet to cross the real thing! In fact, she had crossed the “faux finish line” at least twice!

We all crossed the real finish line together a few blocks further on. Our time was less than remarkable, we were close to last at 2:20. But in spite of the obstacles, we did finish! And we had a great time together.

Lessons learned? “Fluid Management." Drink one cup of coffee very early before the race. Stop at every bathroom before the race even if you don’t think you have to go. Move as close to the front of your wave as you can before the start. Don’t underestimate your ability. Never assume you have crossed the finish line until you see the big word FINISH on the sign at the end of the course. And you will never, ever have better friends than your sisters.

Next up, the 2011 Peachtree. I still had important lessons to learn! Next time…

I hope as you move off the couch, you will share your success stories here. You can reach me at  eachtreecornerswalker@gmail.com.

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