The Running Blues

I want to start out my running posts with a short history of my running. I started January of 2008, at the recommendation of my friend Ben, who lost a bunch of weight running when he hit 30 because he realized he was fat and out of shape. At the time I was 29, but also realized I was fat and out of shape. So I started going over to the Vincennes University fitness center to use the treadmill a few times a week. At first I started out walking, then running a short distance, then walking again for 30 minutes. After time I was able to do less walking and more running, until it was all running for 30 minutes. By this time I was chugging out 2 to 3 miles at a time, and slowly started to whittle my time down. Around this time I knew I was hooked, and started planning for a 5 K run in the spring. I also upgraded my running apparel quite a bit, getting some compression shorts, technical shirts, and the crown jewel, a Garmin Forerunner 205 watch, so I could run outside and be able to keep my time, pace, and distance. When I started running outside, the game completely changed, as I started incorperating high powered playlists on my Ipod to motivate me to run faster and harder and it was nice to run wherever I wanted, and not have to worry about falling off the treadmill. As the 5 K approached, I was running 3.1 miles each time I headed out, and was realizing that finishing the 5 K was not a dream, but a reality. On the morning of the 5 K, I arrived at the park where the start/finish line was about an hour early, not knowing what to expect. I was the first one there. So, like any man who has no clue, I got in my car and drove around for a while. After circling the park listening to Rush for what seemed like 3 hours, I started seeing runners of all shapes and sizes trickle into the park, so I found a spot, parked the car, and started suiting up (picture Barney from How I Met Your Mother). I went to get my goodie bag and bib, and being the newbie that I was, put the bib on wrong. After spying the bib attachment techniques of other more seasoned runners, I corrected mine. Of course i had carefully selected a playlist for my Ipod the night before, and tuned it to the first song and hit the pause button, so I could pump up the jams the second the starting horn blew. I decided to line up midway back at the starting line, behind the super-thin pros in spandex, but in front of the walkers wearing blue jeans. After the race organizer spoke about our sponsors, the horn sounded, and we were off! Man, I hit the ground running on a huge adrenalin rush, which promply wore off after about a quarter of a mile. About one mile in, I started to wonder why I ever thought this running thing was a good idea, and began to get winded, but I kept on trucking. At 1.5 miles, there was a water station, and in my infinite wisdom I thought I could get a cup of water and drink it without slowing down. Of course most of the water ended up down the front of my shirt. At two miles I figured hey, I think I may finish this thing! Then at 3, I was really struggling, but the finish line was in sight, so I kicked it into overdrive. But overdrive was not enough, because people were passing me one both sides, but I stuck to it and crossed the finish line at 26:50, not a personal best, but better than a lot. After the race I hung around to watch the trophy presentation, and it was really fun seeing the running community celebrate everyones accomplishments. After this race, I found a few more 5 K's, but started to think about higher miles, maybe even a half marathon, which Ben was starting to suggest. Tune in next time for tales of higher milage, lots more sweat, GU gels, and a knee injury or two.