It’s been a few years since I’ve done an official 5K run, but participating in the CASA Superhero Run this morning was amazing. And not just because everyone was dressed up in my favorite superheroes (there was even Ladybug & Chat Noir!) or because I have good enough friends who agree to meet at 7 am on a Sunday morning to exercise.
I’ve talked before about how great it’s been to get back into running, and completing the run this morning makes me want to participate in more races. I’ve always been a slow runner and my Greenbelt runs average at about 11-minute miles. Today I finished the 5k in just under 28 minutes. It turns out that when I’m not trail running (and running at the peak of a high 90s day), I can knock a minute and a half off my mile pace. It won’t win me any races, but it made me feel strong.
And that feeling at the end when you can push all out to the finish line can get faster and faster, chest burning and muscles working, damn, it makes you feel alive. I never ran cross country in high school (something I teeter on regretting depending on the season), but I remember watching the races and seeing the final push. Exhilarating, even if during fun runs I’m just pushing against myself.
I’m going to look out for more opportunities to do 5K and 10Ks (I’d like to do longer runs again someday, but it’s not a priority right now). The events usually support amazing causes (like CASA helping kids who’ve been abused and neglected) and you really do feel very productive when you’ve raced, brunched, and are home by 11 am.
With Love,
Natalie