Running My First Race

It had been five months since a friend suggested I try running a 5K. That simple suggestion started a new running routine and a much bigger journey toward improving my health. I want to be able to keep up with my daughter in the years to come, and I hope to stay active enough to enjoy everything I want to do in retirement. On April 18th all of that training led me to the starting line of my first race, the Seattle Cherry Blossom 10K.

Up until now all of my runs had been by myself. When we arrived at Seward Park there were thousands of runners gathering for the event. My excitement grew as we parked the car and fed off the energy around us. My friend was running the half marathon, which started earlier, and I was running the 10K.

I watched the start of the half marathon before making my way to my own start line. There were so many runners, music playing over the speakers, and an energy unlike anything I had experienced during my months of training. My goal was to finish in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, which placed me in one of the last starting groups. That gave me a chance to watch the earlier groups begin their race. As each wave started, the excitement continued to build.

It was finally time for my wave to make its way into the starting corral. There were a few hundred people in our wave. With all of the pent up energy, I expected everyone to take off running as soon as we crossed the start line. Instead, we started at little more than a walking pace. It took a few minutes for the crowd to spread out before everyone settled into a comfortable rhythm. The pace was actually slower than my normal training pace. It was one of the first times I experienced the kind of slow running that I had read so much about but had always struggled to achieve on my own.

The course began with a gentle climb along Lake Washington Boulevard. It was a beautiful, slightly cool morning, and the cherry trees were in full bloom along the water. As I settled into my pace, I found myself taking in the scenery just as much as the race. It was such a beautiful place to run.

The first aid station and turnaround point were about two miles from the start. I was still surrounded by runners, so I picked someone running at a comfortable pace and settled in behind them. During training I usually took a walking break every half mile or so, but with the energy of the crowd and everyone moving at a steady pace, I reached the first aid station without stopping to walk.

A little over a mile into my race I was passed by my friend. We almost missed each other, and I had to pick up my pace to catch her. She was already almost four miles into her half marathon. We managed to take a quick selfie together.

The rest of the race was a lot of fun. I took a few walking breaks, just as I had during training. Every 15 minutes or so I ate a few gummy bears, which seemed to give me a little boost. Since the race I have continued bringing a small snack on runs longer than about 45 minutes. As I got closer to the finish, I found myself running alongside another runner whose friend was encouraging her to keep going. I settled in behind them and was able to finish the last half mile without stopping.

Crossing the finish line was satisfying, but what I'll remember most is the atmosphere, the people, and sharing the experience with my friend. It made me realize that races are about much more than just the distance or completing a goal. They're about being part of something bigger. I arrived hoping to finish a 10K. I left looking forward to my next race.