Tomorrow I'll be running in my first 10 K race, so I'm thinking back today on some fun 5 K memories. (That's not an oxymoron--really!)
My dad and I ran together when I was in high school. "Ran" might be too strong of a word, though I'm sure the pace I set then is faster than my current pace. Anyway, I remember that we signed up to run a 5 K race on a bright Saturday morning. We arrived early at the local park, picked up our numbered bib, and waited for the race to start. Because we checked in so early, our bib numbers were really low--2 and 3 or 3 and 4, if I remember correctly.
When the beginning shot rang out, we plodded along determinedly. Towards the end of the race, we picked up our pace ever-so-slightly. A helpful, encouraging race worker was stationed near the end of the course. She reminded us, "Kick! Kick!" My dad grunted, "This is our kick!" She immediately changed her tune: "Good job! Keep it up! You can do it!" (Dad and I have been chuckling over that for decades now.)
We finished the race, just happy that we actually made it across the finish line. My mom was talking on the phone when we arrived back home. Dad and I came inside the house, grinning and pointing at our race bib numbers. Mom immediately interpreted that to mean we finished the race in the top 3 or 4. We let her believe it only for a second, then we explained that our numbers just meant we were early checking in before the race. Then we related the "Kick! Kick!" incident, and we all had a good laugh again.
I think I ran only one other 5 K during high school, and that was it for me--until last year, when I completed a 5 K with my youngest daughter. Disneyland runs are so entertaining, they seem almost easy! When I learned that Disneyland would be offering a 10 K for the first time, I decided to sign up for it, knowing it would be a stretch for me. I signed up back in January of this year, and here I am, 7 months later, able to jog 10 K (6.2 miles) at a time!
I'm certainly not faster than I was in high school--I'm hoping I won't be passed by speed walkers--but I'm feeling pretty pleased that I can go twice the distance that I did 30 years ago. Maybe in another 30 I'll be ready for a half-marathon--ha, ha!
Thanks for fun memories, and new opportunities!
My dad and I ran together when I was in high school. "Ran" might be too strong of a word, though I'm sure the pace I set then is faster than my current pace. Anyway, I remember that we signed up to run a 5 K race on a bright Saturday morning. We arrived early at the local park, picked up our numbered bib, and waited for the race to start. Because we checked in so early, our bib numbers were really low--2 and 3 or 3 and 4, if I remember correctly.
When the beginning shot rang out, we plodded along determinedly. Towards the end of the race, we picked up our pace ever-so-slightly. A helpful, encouraging race worker was stationed near the end of the course. She reminded us, "Kick! Kick!" My dad grunted, "This is our kick!" She immediately changed her tune: "Good job! Keep it up! You can do it!" (Dad and I have been chuckling over that for decades now.)
We finished the race, just happy that we actually made it across the finish line. My mom was talking on the phone when we arrived back home. Dad and I came inside the house, grinning and pointing at our race bib numbers. Mom immediately interpreted that to mean we finished the race in the top 3 or 4. We let her believe it only for a second, then we explained that our numbers just meant we were early checking in before the race. Then we related the "Kick! Kick!" incident, and we all had a good laugh again.
I think I ran only one other 5 K during high school, and that was it for me--until last year, when I completed a 5 K with my youngest daughter. Disneyland runs are so entertaining, they seem almost easy! When I learned that Disneyland would be offering a 10 K for the first time, I decided to sign up for it, knowing it would be a stretch for me. I signed up back in January of this year, and here I am, 7 months later, able to jog 10 K (6.2 miles) at a time!
I'm certainly not faster than I was in high school--I'm hoping I won't be passed by speed walkers--but I'm feeling pretty pleased that I can go twice the distance that I did 30 years ago. Maybe in another 30 I'll be ready for a half-marathon--ha, ha!
Thanks for fun memories, and new opportunities!
Good job Kristi...enjoy every minute of it and least you are there doing something for yourself!!!! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteCheering you on from Wyoming! Go, Kristi, go!
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow! It is 91 here today but it is supposed to drop to 83 by tomorrow so hopefully you will have nice weather for the race.
ReplyDeleteThe day has come!!! Good luck and have fun! (Well, as much fun as you can when you are running a 10K.)
ReplyDeleteWe run a few races with our kids each year. It is such a good family activity. The story of your race with your dad only encourages me to do it more often.