First 10K FART!

I survived my first 10K in the UKROPS Monument Ave 10K held in Richmond VA this Saturday morning (31 March 07),...and felt pretty dang good. I walked/jogged at the invitation of my brother who did it 2 years ago. I had a personal goal of 90 mins and took 94 (1:34:01), Its posted on www.sportsbackers.org. I am Wilford Green, bib number 22579; for the curious).  I am little bummed about my time andmissing my goal ( I felt so good and jogged so much of the second 3 miles I thought I had a better time) but had a first 5K split of 51:12 which means I did the 2nd 5K leg in 43:11,..felt really good about that and even better that I wasn't crippled afterwards.  The fact that I did this is beyond my belief after where I was health-wise a year ago.  Overall, I registered as a walker and was in the last wave to start; waves A-Q left before us.  I finished 7700 out of 8567 guys and 16,106 out of 20,588 participants that finished of the 25,023 that registered.  I am pretty stoked about how good I felt during the race. And it felt really good passing a bunch of people. Already talking about doing it again next year. Scott - Thanks for the training and pre-race tips. HeadParrot - Whether you know it or not, your profile info and treadmill training and posted racing experiences helped inspire me to give this a try. You guys out here are corrupting me back to health!!  And all of this recent chatter aout weight lifting is sure to get me going better than I have been. Whats next?  My wife wanting sex again?? The world is not ready,......  

You are not allowed to be anything but pleased about finishing your first race.  The goal of the race is to finish.  Congrats on that.  25,000+ people  -  wow!  Are you hooked or was it a one shot deal? Scott

Scott,  I'm not hooked yet but it wouldn't take much more to get that way.  If I can shed some more weight and get more jogging into my distance (i.e., drop some time).  I just got so pumped and didn't experience any injury or bad experiences.  And next year I'd move up to the next class of age 50-54 participants as I turn 50 in May myself. Hey, I passed a guy that must have been 70, just before the finish (so yes he was ahead of me)  that was jogging along with two artifical legs acme bandges at the knee.  I had to slow up and chat for a minute and tell him what a motivation he was to even be out there in addition to finishing so darn well. Guys, Thanks for the kudos. I have been bring upi my shooting for this event as an exercise goal so I felt I should share the results with you for putting up with the anticipation.  My results did not make the obituaries as I had feared they might.  I use to jog 5 miles pretty regular but that was premarriage, like 1980 to 83.  As my weight started increasing, the shins started hurting and I toned down to eventually eliminated jogging rather than getting the weight off.  Maybe I can reverese that this time around.  Those Kenya guys that sprinted the course and the folks at the front of the event, that finished in under an hour, looked really heathy.  I'd like to get there.  But there is more than one way to do that, not just jogging/running.  Thanks again for the accoloades.  It nice to get an occassional pat on the back between the kicks in the teeth and ones to the butt of daily life.  You guys are too good to me man!!! Joe

Joe That is awesome.  Very inspiring.  I think it is a little ripe in the lockeroom tonight.   Way to go. Chris

FANFREAKINGTASTIC !! dude would you have even thought of doing this a year ago ? and you finished a 10K!!   Jogged when was the last time used that word and wasn't talking about your memeory?  Kudos to you rest tomorrow, I have a feeling your legs will need it.

Wow! You've come a long way! Not just the 10k, but as far as life changes... what a journey. I'm proud of you buddy. Thanks for the inspiration. DD

good lord Joe, i get tired Driving that distance! as they say, this race belongs not to the swiftest but to those who keep running. glad you found something worthwhile for exercise and obviously enjoy doing. very good my man. i really hate running and grudgingly do my half hour on the tread mill so i'm very impressed with you long distance runners on the board. i'll check out your link now.......carbonblob

Joe, Excellent job.  You have really come a long way. The fact that you have participated and finished the race is noteworthy.  By next year, you will move up in rank substantially.