2. Don't think logically. Don't think about the fact that you've never done a 5K, or walked any further than your mailbox (which happens to be on your front porch), or are overweight by 5, 10, or 78 pounds (nothing personal about that one at all). Just give your brain a break and proceed to Step 3.
3. Find a partner in crime - which in some circles is called a "running partner." It would be extremely advantageous if this person is a friend who will be encouraging when needed, convincing when you ask if you are running fast or losing weight, and totally in agreement when you decide you need a "rest day," even if that might be seven days a week. Your running partner also needs to believe that ice cream is a vital part of the whole process.
4. Sign up for the event way waaaay in advance - as far in advance as possible. That way, you can ignore the entire event until the week (or even day) before. Make sure your 5K buddy signs up to - insist to see the receipt. And then call VISA to make sure it's legit.
5. Train - or at least plan to train. Training can take many forms - you can virtual train where you look at pictures and read about training plans online. You can mentally train where you think about training and running. You can emotionally train by telling yourself you're not only a runner, you're a good and fast runner. You can physically get out and train, but I don't know much about that, so I'll just move on to the next step.
5. Upon the appointed time, show up to pick up your race bib and final instructions. If you don't know what a race bib is, hopefully your running buddy knows what it is. If she doesn't, just show up where the email tells you to. Here's a bit of advice - the race bib goes on the front of your shirt. You might have a timing chip, but if you just get the bib on the front of the shirt, that may be enough for you.
6. Show up on race day about an hour before the race starts? Why? Because you'll probably still be in bed an hour before the race starts, so if you're planning not to show up, then you deserve to stay in bed for that hour feeling guilty. It's too late to train or eat healthy or lose weight or whatever - it's race day and you need to be there. And possibly in a tutu.
7. At the start, find somebody you think you can beat. You won't. I don't care if it's an elderly woman sporting a walker and her ankles taped with six rolls of athletic tape. As soon as that gun goes off, Granny's gonna chunk that walker to the wind and kick up a cloud of dust. Which you will be in the middle of. Instead, find a group that's trying to figure out what to do with their race bib. Since you already know that, you will look like a pro and they will follow you anywhere. Which means they will be behind you. Which means you will not be last.
8. When you hear the gun/whistle/bullhorn/Shout of Go!, head off in the same direction as all those people running in front of you. Keep going even if everyone else is ahead of you - hopefully you and about 50 of your new closest friends will bring up the rear. Eventually you will cross the finish line - even if they have to take it out of the truck and set it back up for you to run across it.
9. Celebrate - you finished and you are a runner! Or a wogger. Or a walker. But the fact is, you finished 3.1 miles!!
See you at the finish line!!
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Today's blessings: doing the 5K with Steve; Chick-fil-A at the start and pink bag; talking with Planned Parenthood ladies at the start; Galloway running dude helping me with my timer; FutGlove dude talking about my shoes; getting pink bags for my team; Steve bringing dinner
1 comment:
If I follow this list, I could probably do a 5K! Good job!
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