The race I will be running is the Runner's World 5k on Saturday October 20 at their headquarters in Bethlehem, PA. The location is extra special to me because while I currently live in Central PA I grew up in Eastern PA. I actually lived in Bethlehem when I was younger before moving to the Poconos. I've toured Lehigh, and had it on my list of schools to apply to if I didn't get accepted to Bucknell Early Decision. It means a lot that I'll be running my first race in a place that has meaning to me. It also means a lot that I'll be representing FitFluential, the organization that really fueled my love for fitness. I'm hoping I can make all the men and women of that amazing community who encourage and inspire me each and every day proud.
While I'm so excited that my first race ever will be such a big one, I'm also so nervous. I have no idea what to expect when it comes to racing. Here are some big things that have been on my mind:
- What do I wear? The race is at 8am on a Fall day which means it's going to be cold. I don't want to wear a jacket and overheat, so I'm thinking I may need to find a long sleeve running top to keep me just warm enough as I run.
- Where should I put my stuff? I know non-essentials should be left in the car but I'm thinking of my car keys and cell phone. My gym treadmills have handy dandy little cup holders, something I won't have when I'm out running by myself. Do I put my keys in my running pants pocket and leave even my cell phone in my car? I never pack light for anything so this will be a big adjustment for me!
- Should I not listen to music? I was reading on the Runners World website and they say that MP3 players are discouraged. I always run to music, it's how I pace myself with my interval training. I'm worried if I'll even be able to run without music.
- Is this run going to be harder than the runs I've done before? Here's where my big worry comes in: I have never run outside. 100% of my runs have been on the treadmill, in a temperature controlled room, with my pace dictated for me by the machine. I'm worried how this will affect my time. I really don't want to embarrass myself and have to be picked up by the Sag Wagon. I'm going for my first outdoor run on Thursday and I am so nervous. Think happy thoughts for me please!
- I can do this. I can't do it fast, and I can't do it without sweating profusely and breathing super heavy, but I can run 3.1 miles. I alternate between the 5k setting and interval training when I run on the treadmill and my body has yet to let me down.
- I'm so excited to meet other runners. The fitness community is an amazing one, filled with so many inspiring people. This will be my first blogger event of any kind (a whole lot of firsts going on with this event!) and I am so excited to get to meet new people who help make the community what it is. If you're going to be at the Runners World event and see me please say hi! This is going to sound super dorky but when I'm running at school on a steep incline or to a fast song and my phone chirps that I have a new tweet or email I imagine it's a comment on my blog or a Tweet cheering me on to keep running. You guys are such a huge motivation for me.
- I'll be wearing my Saucony Omni 11s. I am SO glad I took the time to research and invest in a good pair of running shoes when I started running. It gives me one less thing to worry about leading up to race day. My Saucony shoes have been amazing to me. They fit my foot, respond to it's movements, and never cause me pain. I feel so lucky to have found a shoe that works for me.
- I am not doing this for time or for anyone else, I am doing this for me. Even though I'm a competitive person I'm not really thinking of this run as a race. I already know I will be one of the slowest people on the course (hopefully not the slowest!). I've been running for less than two months. I know a 5k is nothing to most people who run but it's a big deal for me. As long as they don't pick me up on the sag wagon and I get to finish of my own accord I will be happy. I'm not a runner but I love to run. It gives me strength, it gives me courage, and it gives me health. I just want to show others that if I can do it they can do it, running really is possible!
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