Tag: all in stride

That Time I Cried Through an Entire 5k

The title pretty much sums it up so that’s all there is to this post.

KIDDING! But that is what basically happened last night during the Foam Glow 5k at Talladega Superspeedway. Check me out trying to tell myself beforehand that I dance a few times a week (for fitness) and swim, so I can handle a measly 3.26 miles with no problem. HA!

I didn’t tell anyone about registering or going to the 5k in case I chickened out or, quite honestly, didn’t finish. I have amazing friends who run 5ks just for fun like Jennifer and Javacia and then other friends like Tanya and Mia who are beasts running marathons and ultra trail courses. They’re crazy, but inspiring. So, I kept my 5k a secret because I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Boy, was I wrong!

I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot so knew going in that it would be difficult; it’s what derailed me on last December’s Mustache Dache and I didn’t finish. But my heel felt ok (not great, but bearable), and I wanted to give it a try. I mainly went to glow in the dark (who wouldn’t???), but knew the exercise would be great for me. My husband did it with me and I am so thankful for that. I started off ok, slowly jogging for a bit at the beginning and then transitioning into a walk soon after.

The course was on the outside of the race track itself, going around the entire oval, and I never thought it would end. Every time I covered a distance, there was more stretched out in front of me. Then the thoughts started coming: “I could have sworn they said there would be a water stop 1/2 way?” “Surely we’ve gone over halfway and they just forgot it.” People around me were starting to murmur about a water stop. I stopped to rest and stretch my lower back which was tightening into a knot. Breathe, stretch, breathe. Ok, let’s go!

Two minutes later, ouch. I need to stop again. In my head: “WHERE IS THE WATER? WILL THIS NEVER END? Where are we? Why is it so hot?” Keep in mind, we had brought water with us so I wasn’t thirsty – just looking for that benchmark. Ok, let’s get up and keep going!

Wait, I need to stop again. Head: “WHERE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, IS THE WATER STOP? DID WE MISS IT? I think they forgot it. Surely we’re at least 2/3 of the way done by now.” I quit. I can’t do this anymore. I’m done. Here come the tears. “Are you ok?” from passersby as I sit on the grass and try to blend in the darkness. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you” while trying to hide my face and tears behind the giant Powerade Zero bottle. Safety truck guy comes over, “Are you ok?” Yes, I’m ok. “The ambulance is right down there and will be here shortly if you just want to wait on that.” Hubby: “We can wait for it if you want.” Bless him! Thank you for understanding and offering. No, I got this. Give me a second. Ok, let’s go!

Tears streaming down my face as I walk, limping, legs are jello and arms are shaking. “WHY IS THERE MORE FOAM? TAKE YOUR FOAM AND SHOVE IT UP Y….WHERE IS THE WATER STATION??” Another stop. Another cry. Another wipe of the tears and we’re off. I did that quite a few times before…..

LOOK! LAND HO! WATER! “Do you want water?” asks hubby. No I don’t want water! I just wanted to see the stupid thing! Wait, what? You mean we have ONLY GONE HALFWAY? Another stop on the side, more tears because I quit. I’m done. I can’t do anymore. I’m only halfway? I hate this. No more. “There’s an ambulance over there, let’s just make it there and you can ride back,” says hubby. Thinking about it. Debating in my head. Resting. Breathing. Trying to get my heart rate down to a non-newborn level. No, keep going. “Ok, let’s go,” (much less enthusiastic).

The rest of the “race” was a blur with people flying by on my left and right, cracks in the asphalt to watch for in the dark, music wafting here and there from somewhere, hubby constantly checking on me and stopping with me every few minutes because I “just can’t go anymore.” I think there were probably 2 more hours of that – I have no idea. Time and space were foreign to me by then. I was drenched, overheated, beet red, shaking limbs and body, couldn’t get enough oxygen in no matter how hard I tried, and my heart rate was off the charts. (I’m sure all of that is exaggerated somewhat, but the beet red face is completely true – picture at the bottom.)

I see spotlights. I hear music. It looks like a party, but I could be hallucinating in this pitch black desert. Headlights. People are leaving the track. Good riddance! You talk too much for those of us trying to keep our lungs in our chest. And the smoking DURING the race that I inhaled as you went by? I wanted to kill you.

The trucks are coming up behind us. The ambulance is passing us. OH MY GAWWW, I’M LAST! I DON’T WANNA BE LAST! But I’m doing it. I think I can make it. SO WHAT IF I’M LAST? I DID IT! Well not yet, but I’m going to try. Rounding the last turn, come around to the party, people are still walking between the cones. WHY ARE WE STILL WALKING? WILL THIS NEVER END? OMG, WHERE IS THE FREAKIN’ FINISH LINE? “Right there, honey. See it?” Oh, where all the lights are flashing and people are taking selfies. Ok. I can do that. A….few….more…..steps. BOOM. The earth shakes as I pass out. On the ground. And I wasn’t last (not that it matters, but seriously that was a secret goal of mine).

I have to give hubby MAJOR kudos for going with me, talking me through it, putting up with my tears, letting me hang off his back and shoulder when I could barely walk, and being there for anything and everything I needed. Thank you, baby!

I’m doing the Mustache Dache in December with a group. I’ll start properly training now so maybe I won’t cry as much during that race. 🙂 The point of the story, kids: Find someone who will let you hang on to them during a 5k and don’t ever let go!

Foam Glow bib
Oh yay! I’m so excited!
Foam feet
I love foam!
Foam blasters
Foam blasters shooting it everywhere
Pre foam selfie
BEFORE: Oh look! We’re so excited! Let’s take a cute selfie to show the world how excited we are!
Nope
AFTER: I hate the world.
Dead
AFTER AFTER: I’m going to live at Talladega now, honey. I can’t ever get up again. Go on, save yourself.
Dork
Fine, I’ll get up so you can get a picture at the Finish line to prove we did it. 🙂
Fake smile
Fake smile! Fake smile! I’m dying!

Running Like the Wind (if the wind were blowing less than a mile an hour)

I kid, I kid!

Today’s workout at Iron Tribe consisted of 50 burpees, 75 walking lunges while holding a med ball above our heads, and running 1 mile. I did fine until I got to the running. As I’ve mentioned before, I am not a runner. In fact, I HATE running. I hate it more than beets and that’s a lot. I loathe it. I can’t begin to describe how much I detest it. Ok, horse…dead. There are a number of contributing factors to my disdain; I have way too much going on in the front and back for it to be comfortable or, gasp, fun; I end up with something close to exercise-induced asthma every time I attempt to run; and my knees are shot from years of speed skating at the roller rink.

I’ve done a few runs at Iron Tribe in the beginning, but stopped doing them not too long after. They were mostly warm up runs of 200 or 400 meters and I found myself so winded that I wasn’t able to recover well enough before starting the regular workout. Also, with my badonkadonk jiggling from here to eternity, as well as my stomach, I was not a happy camper. I have a lot of extra weight I’m carrying around period and when I try to add momentum to that, it just makes it harder on my ankles, too. I switched to the rowing machine with other non-runners about a month or two in. I’ve been very happy on the rower – still getting the cardio of a run, but without straining my ankles and knees too much with all that extra weight.

But one of my goals this year is to RUN a 5k. It’s a small goal for most everyone else, but it’s a huge goal for me. I’ve walked 4 of them now, but haven’t been able to run one. One of my runner friends – Tanya – saw that one of my goals was to run a 5k and gave me the gift of training for Christmas. Let me tell you, I was very blessed this Christmas – as I am every Christmas – and loved every single one of my presents. But that gift of training hit home like no other. It was so perfect and exactly what I needed, but didn’t know I needed it. As soon as she gave it to me and we started chatting about it, I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. It ended up being my most cherished gift this year. I think it’s because she understands how important getting healthier is for me. And because she is A-MAZE-BALLS! This woman runs like we sleep. I don’t know how she does it, but she’s getting ready to run her first 50k in a few weeks. Did you hear me? 50k! I am in awe and, at the same time, want to get her some meds because she must be crazy. 🙂 I kid. She’s one of the most amazing, dedicated, funny, kindest people I know and has quickly become a best friend. She says that’s all going to change now once she starts coaching me and yelling at me, but I’ll take it. I can dish it right back, sister!

So last week at Iron Tribe, we had a few 200m runs as part of our WOD. Not having run (at Iron Tribe or anywhere) since last September, I gave it a go in preparation for my training with Tanya. I did the first 200m and rowed the other ones. It’s small, but I’ll take it. I was so happy that I was able to do it. Granted, I nearly passed out afterward from trying to catch my breath, but I did it. Today, I hit another milestone at Iron Tribe – I ran 800m. We were supposed to run a mile (1600m) and I was shooting for maybe 400m – to double my effort last week – but I kept going and turned around with everyone else at the 400m mark. I was very, very, verrrrry slow – almost a fast walk by the end – but I DID IT! I did row the rest of the mile and, being winded, sweaty, and delirious  ended up rowing an extra 400m because I couldn’t add. No matter, I was very excited to hit the running achievement and will keep on working toward the 5k. My first “activity” session with Tanya is this weekend and I’ll be sure to keep you updated. We’re going to start with walking and build up from there with spurts of running. She’s also helping me by checking my food logs, water intake, and activity/steps logs on FitBit. Be sure to check out her blog All In Stride. She’s a rock star. I can’t wait to catch some of her stardust.

Love yourself.
Find peace inside.
Share happiness.