Best Damn Race. No seriously. That's what it was called.

In my last post, I mentioned I had registered for my first real 10K.  Up until then, I participated exclusively in 5K races.

NOTE:  As I am sure most of you are aware... a 5K is 3.1 miles.  A 10K is 6.2 miles.  A half-marathon is 13.1 miles and a full marathon is 26.2 miles.

I was unaware the race was happening until a co-worker had mentioned it and suggested I sign up.  After some thought, I decided to go for it.  I can tell you, I almost immediately regretted it.  Not because I had spent the money, but because I was concerned I wouldn't be able to finish it the way I wanted to finish the race.

When I take part in these events, my goal is to jog/run the whole race.  I consider it a personal failure if, at any time, I walk.  I know it's not a failure by any means, but honestly I can't think of doing it any other way.

A few weeks ago, I thought it would be a good idea to put in a practice 10K.  I'd been training with the Couch-to-10K app, but I was nowhere near the end of it, nor would I be by race time.  Under the app, a 10K training takes 14 weeks.  I was in week 2 at the time.  Nonetheless, I headed to one of my favorite trails and started my practice run.

It.  Was.  Horrid.

It took me 1:22:10 (Hours, Minutes, Seconds) to complete.  A good chunk of that I walked.  Not only did I feel defeated, but I was terribly sore.  I called my wife, mom and cousin, three major sources of support, on the way home and lamented about the reality of what I had gotten myself into.  Mainly, I was concerned more about the fact I was going to have to walk some of the race, rather than jog/run the whole thing.

So, I worked out a plan in my head.  I would jog/run the first 5K, then alternate walking a kilometer and running a kilometer until I finished the race.

Finally the day arrived (February 28th).  It was time to run.

I got up at 4:30 a.m. and got ready, drove to the race location and prepared myself for the run.  After the national anthem was performed, the race started promptly at 6:45 a.m.  I put my headphones on and I was off.  About a minute into the race, I was tapped on the arm by another co-worker taking part in the race.  We exchanged some "Have a good race," comments and kept on running.

The first part of the race went well.  After I crossed the halfway mark, I managed to take a self portrait... something the kids are calling a "selfie" these days.  It's important to note... "selfies" are something I RARELY do.

After that, I decided I would run until I hit four miles and walk for a bit.  When I got to four miles, I thought, "Well, I'm feeling okay.  I'll give it another mile."  When I got to five miles, some race volunteers along the route called me "Superman" on account of my shirt and that gave me enough to keep going.  Just a regular old Forrest Gump.  But it didn't last long.  At some point during that fifth mile, I started to seriously doubt I was going to make the finish line still jogging.

But you know what?  I slowed my pace a little bit and kept telling myself, "Mason.  You've come this far jogging.  Just lock it down and cross that line jogging."  That's exactly what I did.  Another race volunteer, a boy of 10 or so, handed me my medal.  A kind woman handed me a bottled water, and I put my medal around my neck.  I had finished the Best Damn Race.

NOTE:  So we're clear, my shirt is red, yellow and blue.  Not any other color.  The image is just a bit over-exposed.

My co-worker was at the finished line, having completed the race ahead of me.  She kindly checked on me, told me to get some grub and we took this photo together.

So, how did I do?  Take a look.

Finished:  01:22:32

Pace:  13:14 min/mile

Overall Place:  753rd of 950

Male:  237th of 267

Male, Ages 30-34:  39th of 47

All and all, not bad for my first 10K.  

Now, I have to say, I was rather emotional after I crossed the line.  A few tears were shed on the phone with my wife.  Two years ago this month, I weighed 400 pounds.  There was no way I was going to be able to run a 5K, let alone a 10K, at that point in my life.  To be able to do it now is miraculous.  For some folks, running is just a hobby... something they do often.  For me, it represents a part of this adventure I'm on.  One that I will be on for the rest of my life.  And for all intensive purposes, I can't stop now.  I'm a running/foot race addict.

Better than being a food addict.

What's next?  A half-marathon.  It won't be anytime soon.  I'd like to run a few more 5Ks and 10Ks before I register for a half-marathon.  My target is the Disney Half-Marathon, which is part of the Disney Marathon Weekend each January.  In any case, I don't want to push myself too much.  When it's time to run a longer race, my body will give me a sign.  

Until next time dear reader, Be Infinite.