Sept 11, 2011 - I RAN in the 9/11 5k Heroes run at K bay. Simple enough statement, a clap on the back and congratulations should suffice...right? Wrong....there is so much more to this story.

Originally I registered to do this with a friend. The plan, at least for me, was to walk most of it, and jog occasionally. I agonized over this the night before....I really didn't want to do this, I hadn't even attempted to train for it (unless you count looking up training schedules online). Images flashed through my mind of being the last to cross the finish line and of people pointing and laughing .....or worse of having to ride back in the vehicle that follows the group, because the sponsors wanted to wrap things up and I was still on the course. So I tossed and turned all night, honestly thinking I would bail come morning. Morning came, way too soon by the the way. My alarm buzzed, I cut it off and struggled to go back to sleep. The good and bad me set up residence on opposite shoulders, making it impossible for sleep to come. One was saying....go back to sleep, you deserve the rest....you work hard all week. The other was saying...just get up and go....it will be over by 8 and you can crawl back in bed and nap. Oh, and what a good nap it will be ....as you have accomplished something (and a healthy something at that). The knowledge that someone would be looking for me propelled my backside out of bed.

So I drove across the island, only second guessing the location of this event once, making frantic phone calls to no avail, and eventually (and blindly) following a stream of traffic through the base. Against all odds this worked out for me and I finally picked up my packet and signed the banner (guess it's official....I'm doing this!). As I am sitting there pinning on my number (Yes!....my first number)...and strapping on what looks like a probationary ankle bracelet (my guess is GPS......now I'm wondering how many runners they have lost in the past), I overhear someone inquiring about running the 5K instead of the 1 mile Fun Run they had originally signed up for. No worries, they were told....just pay the additional $10.00. I'm standing there looking around the crowd, trying to locate my friend and her husband, meanwhile an event spokesperson, with megaphone in hand, is giving out instructions for the race. At this point, I am getting a little nervous as I can't find my friend....and the only thing worse than coming in last (per my fantasies of doom), would be not to have her walk across the finish line with me, or not be there to cheer me on. Panic had reached a high point....so I went back to the registration desk to inquire about maybe switching to the Fun Run (logically, if you can move from the Fun Run to the 5K, why couldn't you move from the 5K to the Fun Run). I was told this was not a possibility, I would have to run in the event I registered for (it's not like I was asking for my money back). I had a few choice words for that woman, under my breath of course, but decided to hike up my big girl pants and get on with it.

Next thing I know, a horn was blowing and people were taking off. I gave it a few beats....cause who am I kidding....i would get trampled if I started running ahead of these people...and coincidentally there was a man down when I got to the corner. No time to stop though, he already had help, and I couldn't stop as the first 100 yards of this run was an incline (yep...don't that beat all)....and if I stopped to walk it I would definitely be in the back of the pack. When I got to the top I started walking. Now let me take a moment to inform you of my physical fitness (or lack there of).....I am easily fifty pounds overweight and am so out of shape that the term physically fit should not even occur in this sentence. So I continue on my quest to the finish line, giving myself goals as I go..."you just have to get to that next stop sign then you can walk". When I walk, I walk as fast as my short stubby legs can carry me.....and when I run, I concentrate on my breathing (as the only thing worse than finishing last would be to pass out on the course). Concentrating hard and giving it my all I pressed on....I passed the man running the 5K with his four year old son (yep, you read that right).....I passed the soldier carrying a 100 pound ruck sack on his back (no typo there either)......I passed the woman who was 8 months pregnant (that was my favorite one).....MAN, I was looking good! I approached the gaggle women with their baby strollers (can't you just visualize them).....we fluctuated with me ahead of them, then behind them, then ahead of them....depending on if I was jogging or not. I'm not making excuses or anything, but I think those strollers were rigged, possibly electrically powered to pull said pushers.....come to think of it I don't remember hearing or seeing any babies!!! Eventually I lost out to them, I just couldn't keep up....but they stayed within sight...and even better I knew there were others behind me (besides the too young, too pregnant, and the one carry a heavy bag).

At midpoint there were people handing out water....and littered all along the road were wadded up paper cups.....as if the runners tossed the water over their heads in mid run and dropped the cup. I didn't take any water, despite the fact that I was thirsty. I was worried that with all the bouncing up and down I would need to pee and there weren't any restrooms around....and nothing to squat behind either. I did notice as I jogged around the corner a strategically placed van presumably for taxing those who wanted to quit (or possibly in need of a restroom) back to the starting point. I won't lie, I did contemplate climbing into that van (because the more I thought about the possibility of having to pee....the more I thought I had to go), but didn't. About a quarter mile up the road, the van passed me carrying passengers. As the van passed, I happened to notice the signage on the side. Apparently this van was someones personal business. Now I know you want to ask what type of business (so glad you were wondering)....it was a TAXIDERMY business.... and you know that the first thing to cross my mind was that he was picking up 'road kill' in the form of runners today. THIS did motivate me..... as riding in a taxidermy vehicle which possibly carted dead carcasses around, was not high on my list.

As I approached the finish line, there were soldiers encouraging me onward. Now I know these soldiers probably got in trouble and had to work this event as an extra duty punishment, but I didn't let that dampen my good feelings of being cheered on. I finally crossed the finish line at 48 minutes and 6 seconds.....I was thrilled with my time, and the enthusiasm of the crowd. People were cheering and clapping, several were taking pictures; and you know I was excited about this as I thought I might actually need proof. I couldn't be prouder of myself for accomplishing this. That feeling of pride did stay with me although it got bumped down a few pegs when I realized that all that cheering and picture taking was directed at the Marine behind me jogging with the 100 pound ruck sack. Oh well....

What I have taken away from this day is that I can do pretty much anything if I put my mind to it (and a little terror of being last didn't hurt either). I discovered that there is really no reason for me not to get out and exercise more....because if I can do 3.1 miles in 48 minutes...then surely I can jog down the street. This experience has motivated me and eliminated all my excuses (somewhat). Sometimes, I guess, it is just good to step outside your comfort zone.....bet you'll be surprised by what you can accomplish. Keep running my friends....