My first 5K run: I stretched, I raced … I barfed
Published 8:53 am Monday, June 14, 2010
I do my best to be physically active and stay in decent shape, although that’s been much more challenging since I became a dad in March.
Usually I play basketball once a week and/or go on a short run every few days — 2 miles is generally my limit. Anything longer than that bores me, even if I’ve got my iPod. Plus, my dog Mylo seems to know when we’ve reached the 2-mile barrier. He slows down nearly to a crawl, silently telling me that he is ready to go home and snooze.
Last week, during a quick road trip to visit my family in Montana, I bumped up my jogging limit a bit. I competed in a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race on June 5 in Conrad, Mont. The “Fun Run” was part of the 70th annual Whoop-Up Trail Days celebration. The run was sponsored by the town’s hospital, which I figured was a good thing — if I passed out during the race and needed medical attention plenty of qualified folks would be there to help.
The race started at 8:30 a.m. Since it was my first 5K, I wasn’t sure what my time goal should be. I knew I would be MUCH slower than the impressive cross country and track athletes that I write about for The Herald.
Other than a few sections where we had to run directly into a pretty strong wind, the race went well. I felt good up until the final half-mile, when my stomach started aching. I tried to ignore it and finish strong. With the end in sight, I increased my pace and tried to catch a runner who was about a half-block in front of me. I got within a few feet of him, but when he heard my wheezing breaths and stomping shoes he sped up. I didn’t have the energy or willpower to hang with him.
With no other runners nearby, I vowed to sprint the final few blocks. I finished with a good burst, relieved to be done and happy I didn’t give in and walk at any point in the race. Then the gurgling in my stomach came back, accompanied by a gag reflex. “Uh-oh.” I walked gingerly to an alley beyond the finish area. Following a few unsatisfying dry heaves, I puked and immediately felt better.
My time was 23 minutes, 51 seconds. That’s slower than what I had hoped for, even though I didn’t know what to expect because it was my first 5K. In the end, I was pretty happy with my time. After all, it is my personal record. … Then again, it’s also my personal worst.
I plan to run in more 5K races. Maybe I’ll find a local event to sign up for this summer. But next time I won’t repeat the huge mistake I made before my race in Montana: even if it’s free, like it was in Conrad, I WILL NOT EAT A PANCAKE AND HAM BREAKFAST AN HOUR BEFORE THE RACE!
Lesson learned. Burp.
