WOW
Well as previously advertised, I ran my first 5K on Saturday. The Susan G Komen Global Race for the Cure on the national mall. nearly 50,000 people participated, it was amazing to see the sea of pink supporting a cause that is so personally close to me.
I was in such a zone before the race. My wife and kids were there to cheer me on. I had this internal debate going on in my head. Constantly asking myself what I was doing there, worried at some irrational level that I would be exposed for the fraud that I was. I was no runner, I was that fat person who spent more time on the couch than any where else.
Fortunately for me, my logical self prevailed. The race was started and I started jogging over the start line. As we made the first turn, two things happened. One is my Ipod fell off my waist band to be lost in the sea of legs coming down behind me. Bummer but in some ways I think it was a higher power's way of answering the question I asked earlier in the morning, do I want to tune out to tunes or be in the moment during the race?
The second thing I realized in that first 2-300 yards was that I could do this, I was no fraud. I could do hard things. And I did it. I finished in 41minutes and 25 seconds. Well behind the less than 16 minutes of the first person to cross the finish line, but well ahead (by nearly 6 minutes) of anything I had done in the three months of training I did for this. I saw my wife and kids at the finish line, and I was as happy as any fool could be
I embraced my wife shortly after crossing and we both got weepy, for many reasons, one of which is the sheer joy in my being able to physically complete this race - something I am still amazed about
The day got even better. The world truly works in mysterious ways. After the race, we went to one of the tents set up to sell race merchandise. I picked out a really cool (size large no less) black race tee shirt. I waited on line to buy it. Got up to the women checking me out. Patiently waited while she completed the transaction before me, telling her to take her time - I was in such a good place- when I went to charge the items I purchased, she asked me for ID. She looked at my driver's license and then did a double take. "You've lost a lot of weight - did you do it on your own?" No ordinarily this question would make me bristle - it seems to me to be close to the "easy way out" comments. But for some reason, I was calm. "Yes, I did, I had gastric bypass surgery." The woman lit up, it turns out she was having RNY in a couple of weeks. We spoke for a few minutes, and she kept commenting on how I had ran the race and how great that was. I hope that I brought a little bit more peace to her decision to have this surgery. I know that it does my heart good to be able to pay forward all the help I got in the year before my RNY from supportive people.
That was my first 5K experience. I was out running again the next day, albeit a whole bunch less distance. I can't wait to schedule my next one and see if I can come in under 40 minutes. I love my RNY!
I was in such a zone before the race. My wife and kids were there to cheer me on. I had this internal debate going on in my head. Constantly asking myself what I was doing there, worried at some irrational level that I would be exposed for the fraud that I was. I was no runner, I was that fat person who spent more time on the couch than any where else.
Fortunately for me, my logical self prevailed. The race was started and I started jogging over the start line. As we made the first turn, two things happened. One is my Ipod fell off my waist band to be lost in the sea of legs coming down behind me. Bummer but in some ways I think it was a higher power's way of answering the question I asked earlier in the morning, do I want to tune out to tunes or be in the moment during the race?
The second thing I realized in that first 2-300 yards was that I could do this, I was no fraud. I could do hard things. And I did it. I finished in 41minutes and 25 seconds. Well behind the less than 16 minutes of the first person to cross the finish line, but well ahead (by nearly 6 minutes) of anything I had done in the three months of training I did for this. I saw my wife and kids at the finish line, and I was as happy as any fool could be
I embraced my wife shortly after crossing and we both got weepy, for many reasons, one of which is the sheer joy in my being able to physically complete this race - something I am still amazed aboutThe day got even better. The world truly works in mysterious ways. After the race, we went to one of the tents set up to sell race merchandise. I picked out a really cool (size large no less) black race tee shirt. I waited on line to buy it. Got up to the women checking me out. Patiently waited while she completed the transaction before me, telling her to take her time - I was in such a good place- when I went to charge the items I purchased, she asked me for ID. She looked at my driver's license and then did a double take. "You've lost a lot of weight - did you do it on your own?" No ordinarily this question would make me bristle - it seems to me to be close to the "easy way out" comments. But for some reason, I was calm. "Yes, I did, I had gastric bypass surgery." The woman lit up, it turns out she was having RNY in a couple of weeks. We spoke for a few minutes, and she kept commenting on how I had ran the race and how great that was. I hope that I brought a little bit more peace to her decision to have this surgery. I know that it does my heart good to be able to pay forward all the help I got in the year before my RNY from supportive people.
That was my first 5K experience. I was out running again the next day, albeit a whole bunch less distance. I can't wait to schedule my next one and see if I can come in under 40 minutes. I love my RNY!
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
Thank you, Heather. It was an amazing day (alhtough pretty hot and muggy, lol) I am thinking of running the Baltimore Race for the Cure. It is the day before my 50th b'day - a nice present. My only hesitation is that it's a day after a week long vacation (a cruise) so I wonder if I'll be up for it. I think committing will make sure I am up for it.
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
Russ that is a great story and you must be very proud. i am happy to hear that your wife is such a great supporter. i just saw dr. steele yesterday for a follow up. she is about to have her second child. so glad i had surgery with her. she is the best. she did a great job w/ both of us LOL. keep working hard!
Hey Nicole - I hate to admit it but I am sort of busting at the seams about it. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be able to do something like this. Much love to Dr. Steele about this. It's funny, I was supposed to see her yesterday for my 6 mo follow up. I had to reschedule because my best friend since 6th grade was in town and we both had time to play golf together - a rare treat. I was so excited for her when I found out she was having her 2nd at my 3 mo. I'll miss her while she's out - I'll see the NP in a couple of weeks for my six mo.
Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart
GOOD FOR YOU!!!
I was training for my first 5K in June and that would have been amazing! (long story short, ER visit last week and the pregnancy, both resulted with the doctors telling me it would be better if I didn't do this this month). I might remember you as an inspiration after the baby is born to re-commit and start training again.
I was training for my first 5K in June and that would have been amazing! (long story short, ER visit last week and the pregnancy, both resulted with the doctors telling me it would be better if I didn't do this this month). I might remember you as an inspiration after the baby is born to re-commit and start training again.
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