In my sixth entry in this blog series, I’ll share my process and setbacks that I experienced along the way of pursuing this goal.
After I completed my original 5 5k event series in 2021, I signed up for the same 5k event series for 2022 and added a 10k to the rotation. I knew I needed to increase my distance if I hoped to achieve my goal of a marathon over the next few years.
As fall came to 2021, I started training for my upcoming 10k, again extending my distances that I would walk or hike; I even added a distance interval run/walk to my weekly plan to keep building that endurance. Based on all of this training, I set a goal time for me to complete my 10k, something I thought would be a challenge, but also do-able (double my 5k time, plus a few minutes as I tired through the distance). As I prepared, I was hopeful and confident that I would be capable of doing this.
When the time came to set off for the 10k event in early spring 2022, I was full of all the nerves and negative self-talk that I had experienced with my first 5k. My 10k was out of town, so I wasn’t able to bring my cheering section, but I could bring my best fan. Recognizing my nerves and my anxiety as the time for the 10k came closer, I started chatting with other runners and sharing that this was my first 10k. I was amazed by the level of support that came from other runners who didn’t know me at all. I was encouraged not only at the start line, but throughout the race as I encountered these individuals. I found support too from some that were running intervals about the same pace as I was, and we kept passing each other; I started cheering them on as they passed me and most returned the favor when my running interval would come. Even though I was anxious and typically introverted, a community seemed to swell up around me when I just clarified that I needed some support. It was the greatest surprise and filled me with a lot of joy throughout the 10k.
When I finished the 10k, I was overcome with emotion as I realized I was not only going to meet my goal time, but was going to finish at my fastest pace for a run/walk event yet. As I crossed the finish line, I was overcome with how proud I was of myself for my achievement. As others I had talked to crossed the finish line, I was there to congratulate them and one even offered to take my picture at the finish line. A beautiful reminder to still “Be where your feet are” and just be in the moment of outstanding achievement.
I continued to train and signed up for additional 10k events through 2022 besides the 5k events. I was enjoying the moving meditations and training that I was doing and really looked forward to these. About halfway through the year, I felt something really strange and eventually painful in my body. My hip started hurting a bit when I was walking at a brisk pace, but I didn’t let that slow me down. The pain in my hip continued to grow, so I sought medical treatment (doctor consults, referrals, and physical therapy). Eventually the pain was so great, it hurt to walk at all. I felt like I had aged 40 years in a few months; that’s how great of hit this pain took on my mobility. After about 4 months, I could treat the pain and injury and could start getting back moving more.
I didn’t recognize the toll the injury and the time away from training took on me until I went back to take part in my first 5k event late in the summer 2022. I was disappointed with my performance. Thankfully, my cheering section was present for this 5k and reminded me of all the accomplishments; a good support base is priceless. They celebrated my completing the event, walking across the finish line, and no pain throughout the event. I completed 2 more 5k events in 2022 and started feeling more like myself.
We are now to the current day and I am seeking further 10k events to complete in 2022. I was previously signed up for 3 additional events this year, but they were all canceled by the organizer. I hope I will find a few 10k events through the winter months and I will continue my training of walks, hikes, and some distance intervals in there too. I’m signed up for my first half-marathon in May 2023 and just recently joined a running training program to help with keeping myself accountable on this continuing training journey.
Hopefully, you found some value in this series and I’ll pick up other blog series in the future. Best of luck with your goals and when in doubt, try to figure out what the next right move is, even if it’s small; it all adds up to huge progress if you keep it up.
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