I've posted this on the main Wish board, but also wanted to add it here so I could reflect back on it for my next 5k!
Well, I did my 5k yesterday. I finished in 40 minutes, which was WAY back from the runners in the group, but it was a great way to start and it was a great achievement for me. It also gives me a great boost to work on my next 5k!
It was a very low structure run/walk/stroll for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. You could walk/run 2k, 5k or 10k. I aimed to run/walk 5k and I did it. I wanted to do this run to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation because my sister, Kathryn died of a brain tumour. She was 43 when she was diagnosed and died less than 5 years later. She had a tumour called glioblastoma, which is a real killer. Her original diagnosis was 9-18 months. What sparked my interest in doing this was a news report this winter about a "breakthrough" in brain tumour research. It turns out doctors now give people an extra three months to live if they do chemo and radiation at the same time instead of either/or or one after the other. That really upset me because three months is LOUSY. Even five years is lousy for a young mom to die. There has to be a cure for this terrible plague. Unfortunately, for people like Kathryn who were diagnosed with glioblastoma, there is little hope. I want that to change, so I signed up to raise funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation which provides funding for research and support for those diagnosed. So... this was an emotional undertaking.
I also want to get healthy and having the goal of running a 5k was great. These boards and the exercise challenge have been so encouraging as I trained for this. I upped my exercise from walking 30 minutes to walk/running for 40 minutes four or five times a week. I plan on continuing to improve this!
The weather in Ottawa was great for the event. A little cloudy, not too hot - 21C (about 69 F) and it was a nice setting in a park with the course by the canal, so lots of ducks to look at and pretty scenery. They asked the runners to go first and the walkers would start later. I figured I might as well go with the runners, since I wanted to run/jog 10 minutes and walk 2 for the race. So... we took off. I kept up with the pack, even going up a slight incline at the beginning until the 1k mark and then I started to slow down... but I kept going. When I stopped for my walk after going 12 minutes jog (longer than usual!) they kept going! That was ok though. I ended up running/walking on my own in my own pace and that was good. I took along my MP3, which I usually don't when I am training and listened to some songs I like. I especially like the James Taylor Fire and Rain because it makes me think of the loss I felt when Kathryn died and sometimes you want someone to talk to and she is gone. I still miss her very much. So, yes, there were tears on the run and that was the nice part about being on my own. It also made me feel good to know I was doing something healthy for me and to help others with brain tumours. Kathryn would have liked both those reasons.
So... I ran to the finish line. Crossed it on my own. I was tired, but I could have kept going which made me feel good. Received my water and orange (didn't take the hot dog) and then DH took us all out to supper. My DD, 10, painted a picture for me as a prize for finishing. It shows me running and the sun is shining and there is a finish sign. It is priceless.
Thanks for the encouragement from the runners in this group. I know 40 minutes for a 5k is just a beginning and I will do better but this is so major for me. When I was reaching the 2.5 k turnaround the runners were coming back. The first two guys (both very fit looking) said "keep going. Good for you." That was a real encouragement! Then as I passed the walkers when I was running back many made nice comments and I tried to huff something back too. It was a great experience.
I did learn I need to train more... when I saw the runners going on as I slowed down, I thought... next time that will be me!!!! I will keep going. So... next race will be the Terry Fox Run in September... proceeds for cancer research. I would love to run the whole thing and improve my time.
THANKS SO MUCH for your encouragement all. It made me feel so good reading my journal and knowing many of you were thinking of me yesterday and supporting me. As my treat I bought myself a new pair of "real" running shorts and a running top so I can keep going when it gets hot. I also bought a pair of running pants and jacket that "wick" away sweat.
The great thing is that even though I am finished with my 5k I am excited about going on and running and improving my time/endurance.
Thanks for all your support.
