I Did it!

It was just an ordinary Sunday. Nothing that you would write home about. But this Sunday was not as ordinary as what it seemed. This Sunday was going to be a milestone for me.

I set my alarm and got up early. I hate running late, and today was not one of those days I needed to worry about time. I had myself a hearty breakfast, actually I hate breakfast but I am learning that I need to fuel my body, so breakfast it was! I endured my way through cereal and fresh fruit followed by a protein shake.

I went to the bathroom about a million times before I got dressed. I had carefully chosen my outfit, nothing too flashy, comfortable, practical. Hair loosely pulled back in a ponytail, tidy, but out of the way! Shoes, where were my shoes? Shoes are important on a day like this. Breathe Kathy, just breathe! They were exactly where I had left them the night before! (Of course)

Nerves!
Those jolly nerves were starting to kick in and I was off to the toilet again, wondering why I had drunk so much water when really, all it does is go straight through me. Come on Kathy, get yourself together, you can do this! Thousands of people do this, and so can you!

We jumped in the car and Phil was great talking me through the morning. We arrived at our destination and got a park no problem. I couldn’t believe the number of people that were there. Who would have thought there were so many crazy people out there, all having the same idea!

I found the nearest port-a-loo and made good use of it before we lined up with all the other crazies!

Next thing, we were off.

The adrenaline was kicking in and I was off to a good start. Phil had agreed to be my coach and pacesetter for the day. He was legendary, so encouraging and motivational which is so what I needed as a quarter of the way in, my legs were starting to ache to the point that all I wanted to do was lie down and give up. But giving up was not an option. I had worked too hard to get to this point, and today was the day I had to push through!

So I kept going. Admittedly, some points were slower than others, but I kept moving my feet, one foot in front of the other till I had done it!

Yip, I had done it! I had run my first official 10k!

I was exhausted. I had the biggest blister on my foot, my legs were still aching, my face was redder than a redder thing, and I’m sure I was not looking at my peak…… But I had done it!

This was a big achievement for me seeing this time last year I couldn’t even run for 200 meters without stopping, and now I had just run 10k.

My goal of a half marathon still seems a long way off, but I am learning to tackle my goals one step at a time (literally) and I will get there.

But for now, I will revel in the glory of my 10k!