5k's and Tears
So, I found out the 5k I was looking forward to all year was canceled secondary to the COVID-19 crisis (using my medical documentation skills right thurr). Rock The Locks 5k is put on by our downtown and this year was going to be its second year running. Last year I ran it as my first 5k and I LOVED it. You got to run through the Soo Locks Park, down historic Water Street, and around by the Valley Camp Museum Ship. It started and ended in Brady Park and there was music, dancing, and fun themed runners.
After a much-needed cry session, I started thinking. Just because the race was canceled didn't mean I couldn't run it the best I could alone. So, the other night I started training. This was my first outdoor run after it became too dangerous (icy) to run outside last year and let me tell you, the sidewalks have nothing on a treadmill. It was hard to transition to running outdoors. No moving belt to keep you propelling forward, no TV to watch (like the ones atop a treadmill). But it was nice to be able to run whilst listening to my favorite jams, breathing in the fresh air, seeing a freighter lock through. It was sort of peaceful.
I know, I know. A lot of you may sit there and think "Ew, running is gross!" And just to be clear, it is. I despise every minute leading up to the runs I plan. I hate the way my face flushes with the exertion, the heaviness in my feet that I feel as I canter down the sidewalk, and even begin to feel self-conscious about the way I look as I sluggishly move down the road. I despise it so much that I have to give myself multiple pep talks before and during the run. I have to do the "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" thing and then force myself to go. But after the run, it is the best feeling.
First, I feel so accomplished. I did the thing I didn't want to do. I may not meet my speed goal, but I did SOMETHING! Second, the endorphins don't suck. If I'm in a bad mood before, I feel at least a little bit better after. And last but not least, the same flush I hate during the run I love after it. I wear this flush for as long as I can as proof that I can do hard things like running. Accomplishment isn't always easy or pretty and the warmth and sweatiness of my face is proof of it. Seriously, running is fun for me, but really only after the fact.
That's why I was thinking, why not run this 5k virtually? I have a watch that will time my alone race and I can undoubtedly map out the 3.11 miles somewhere here in town. I can prepare the way I would prepare if it was a regular race. I can run this race on the specified day and record the time and post about it all over social media. Great idea, right! That way I can still run my first 5k (now to be second, actually) of the summer. I'm a genius! Lol, well not really but at least I can still find a way to participate in an event I was so looking forward to.
What were you looking forward to this year that got canceled? Can you find a way to still do that thing without it being a thing? Think about that for a moment. A lot of things got canceled this year. What can you do to change your perspective about the situation?
Stay Tuned!
After a much-needed cry session, I started thinking. Just because the race was canceled didn't mean I couldn't run it the best I could alone. So, the other night I started training. This was my first outdoor run after it became too dangerous (icy) to run outside last year and let me tell you, the sidewalks have nothing on a treadmill. It was hard to transition to running outdoors. No moving belt to keep you propelling forward, no TV to watch (like the ones atop a treadmill). But it was nice to be able to run whilst listening to my favorite jams, breathing in the fresh air, seeing a freighter lock through. It was sort of peaceful.
I know, I know. A lot of you may sit there and think "Ew, running is gross!" And just to be clear, it is. I despise every minute leading up to the runs I plan. I hate the way my face flushes with the exertion, the heaviness in my feet that I feel as I canter down the sidewalk, and even begin to feel self-conscious about the way I look as I sluggishly move down the road. I despise it so much that I have to give myself multiple pep talks before and during the run. I have to do the "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" thing and then force myself to go. But after the run, it is the best feeling.
First, I feel so accomplished. I did the thing I didn't want to do. I may not meet my speed goal, but I did SOMETHING! Second, the endorphins don't suck. If I'm in a bad mood before, I feel at least a little bit better after. And last but not least, the same flush I hate during the run I love after it. I wear this flush for as long as I can as proof that I can do hard things like running. Accomplishment isn't always easy or pretty and the warmth and sweatiness of my face is proof of it. Seriously, running is fun for me, but really only after the fact.
That's why I was thinking, why not run this 5k virtually? I have a watch that will time my alone race and I can undoubtedly map out the 3.11 miles somewhere here in town. I can prepare the way I would prepare if it was a regular race. I can run this race on the specified day and record the time and post about it all over social media. Great idea, right! That way I can still run my first 5k (now to be second, actually) of the summer. I'm a genius! Lol, well not really but at least I can still find a way to participate in an event I was so looking forward to.
What were you looking forward to this year that got canceled? Can you find a way to still do that thing without it being a thing? Think about that for a moment. A lot of things got canceled this year. What can you do to change your perspective about the situation?
Stay Tuned!
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