My first 10k race

A sign hit me as I left, after my workout. I didn't normally look at bulletin boards, but a bright blue sign jumped out at me.

10 kilometer race
Strathroy Road Runners Club
Saturday June 10
Contact ....

Ever since I started running two years earlier I had set three goals for myself. Run a 10km race, run a marathon, and compete in a triathlon.

Was it now time to start on my list? I was sure I could run 10k. I normally ran five to eight kilometers every day, but I had never actually done an entire 10k distance. But in Strathroy who would even know me. It was perfect. If I did it I could brag about it. If I couldn't complete it, or if I performed poorly who would know?

I didn't tell Marlene or my boys. I got up early Saturday morning before anyone was out of bed. A 7:00 AM start and an hour’s drive. I wanted to be there in lots of time to register so I left at 5:00 AM and was there by 6:00 AM.

There wasn't much of a line up when I arrived but I felt intimidated. I had never been in a race and all of these fit athletes were comparing times and placements. I didn't even know what a good time would be for a 10k distance. I knew I ran about 8 minutes per mile or 5 minutes per km. I didn't want to be last.

I wore my new balance 750s which were a standard runner. Others had some hi-tech light weight racing flats. But I did notice a few plain runners like mine. By start time there were about 200 runners gathering around a crowded start line. An organizer shouted over a loudspeaker that racing would start in two minutes. My heart was pounding like I had already run 3k. I was scared and all alone. Everyone else seemed to know each other.

"On your mark - get set BOOM”, exploded a starter’s pistol and runners bolted. I pumped my feet and arms as fast as I could to keep from falling behind before even starting. Leaders were hundreds of meters in front of me, but I was in a crowd keeping pace. I wasn't falling behind. And there were dozens or more behind me.

I pushed my heart rate as high as I could and tried to hold it. At 3k, I saw a fit young fellow limping, coming towards us. He had come up lame and was pulling out. That happens? I hope not to me.

We reached 5k point - half way. I was hanging in. I was puffing hard but not fading. And I was still in a pack of other runners.

By 8k some of my pack was falling behind. I was actually beating people. 9k mark - only 1k to go. I poured it on. My competitive nature started to emerge. I left my pack behind as I picked up my pace for a home stretch run.

I finished and clicked my Timex running watch. It read 42:55. I didn't know if that was good or bad, but I felt great. My race was over, and I was floating. I was lighter than air. I did it, and I felt no pain.

I walked and jogged to cool down. It was effortless. I jogged back. There were still people coming in and lots of people yet to finish. Over 15 minutes passed before all runners finished. I must have done OK.

Organizers announced that breakfast was being served. I hadn't paid any attention but my race entry included a pancake breakfast. So I lined up to eat. I was so excited I wanted to talk to someone about my experience. But I knew no one. I tried to strike up a conversation but everyone was wrapped up in their own stories and friends. I sat at a picnic table with some strangers while I gobbled my pancakes. I got some casual talk from a few, but mostly I sat alone.

Organizer started to hand out awards and draw prizes. I got neither. Then everyone began clamoring around a bulletin board. Results were posted.

I pushed my way in front to get a look. Although I didn't win anything I saw I finished 32nd out of over 200 runners. I was far from last.

I hoped in my car for a 60 minute drive home. I still felt like I was floating on air. Marlene asked where I had been. She woke up and found me and our car gone. She was worried. I couldn't stop talking about my experience. I was still pumped.

By mid afternoon I was starting to fade. I lay down for a nap and never woke up until Sunday morning.

I could now strike item one off my list.

(814 words - none of them "The")