Race Report: Stepping Up To Wellness 5k

Running for me this year has been tougher, mentally.

Well, that's not exactly true. RACING has been hard. Running has been awesomely fulfilling. And at a little 5k run/walk that I got talked into doing to support a friend, I started to see why that is.

Last year, my friend Sarah's husband Ray beat Multiple Myeloma. Their whole family was participating in this 5k, which benefits the local Cancer Wellness Centers. After a little prodding (and a green light from MY husband) I decided to run too, in support of this important fundraiser.

I picked up Riyanti and we headed for Independence Grove to get a few miles in before the race started (she ran with her family and extended family - they were quite a team!). We got in 5 hot and sticky miles before the race started.

I was wishy washy about this one - I was fairly confident that with the heat, a PR was out of the question. The park there is wide open with very little shade. And like I said, it was HOT. Hot in the spring always feels like death to me - I was in no way acclimated yet, especially since Mother Nature has been on the rag all spring 'round here. But we started, and amazingly enough, I felt pretty good! For a few minutes. Sarah's son ran past me and I cheered him on (half expecting him to peter out later). My running club friend's son Noah also passed me and I cheered him on too. We approached the first water stop about mile one, and I decided that was enough racing for me.

I got a cup of water (even tho I was carrying a water bottle) and turned around to see where Sarah was. I knew she had goals for this race, so I figured I'd help her out for a while. She was not far back, and we ran together for a bit, bitching about the heat.

I pulled ahead of her a little and caught up to Noah.  He was struggling a little bit. I was trying to decide if it was mental or physical. He was complaining about his leg some, but I kind of felt like he just wasn't FEELING it that day, so I stayed with him, encouraging him. This lasted for a while, me chatting to try to distract him. And Sarah was still not far behind us.

But during that last mile, after the last water stop (there were 2!!), Noah didn't look so good. He said he was going to walk. I started to pass him, but he said he was cold. That stopped me in my tracks and I gave him some of the water I was carrying. We walked a little bit, then started a slow jog. I knew that I wasn't leaving him now (the mom in me wouldn't let me, hehe).

Sarah had passed us, and I yelled at her to try and catch her son, who'd been holding a steady solid pace the entire race (so proud of him!!). Noah and I ramped our pace back up slowly. We were nearing the finish and he wanted to walk again, but I wouldn't let him. No way - just a tenth of a mile to go, I said. And I made him race me in. And he did it!

I got some water, found a shady spot on the end of the course, and cheered for people. I got a little nervous about Riyanti, but found her step-mom who told me she swapped girls and was now walking with her youngest. I hung out til everyone had finished.

And then we watched the awards. Noah ended up just missing an age group award, and Sarah took first!

I have so many running friends who say they are compelled to race every race. Who have to give it their all every. single. time. And while I respect this (even though it isn't at ALL part of my make up as a runner) I'd like to implore that they give up a race every once in a while. Because, for me, while racing my best garners me a sense of accomplishment and pride, the races I give to others make me infinitely prouder.

Helping another runner reach their goal fills me up like no PR can.

Try it. I bet if you try it once, you'll want to try it again.