My first fun run was completed in November 2013. It was the RunGeelong 6km event, and something I thought I would easily conquer. Well I finished the event, but I couldn’t really say I conquered it…
In late 2012 I was spending a lot of time visiting a family member who was in hospital. Part of the fundraising for the hospital is an annual fun run over either a 6km or 12km course. After watching the assistance my family member received I felt the least I could do was join in the fun run. Unfortunately in the weeks leading up to the 2012 event I developed an infection in my foot and was unable to walk, let alone complete the fun run. My entry fee had become a straight out donation, although I had an event shirt I hadn’t really earned.
As 2013 rolled along I was sent a reminder for the upcoming event, and again registered. By this time I was regularly going to the gym for a few weight sessions and a bit of cardio. With a feeling of confidence, I glimpsed at a few websites for the ‘Couch to 5km’ training programs and after getting a general idea what was suggested, I decided I had it under control. My plan was to spend a little longer on the treadmills and get a few runs around the block under the belt.
My first trip around the block gave me a wake up call that running on the street is definitely different to running on a treadmill. Between the wind, dodging cars backing out of driveways and the fact the roads aren’t dead flat I struggled around what I thought was a reasonable distance. After a bit of calculation I realised my run was actually just under 3km, and my fun run was going to be a bit more of a challenge than first thought. With a plan to run at least twice a week I gradually increased my training distances to 5km over the following weeks and I became a little more accustomed to running outdoors.
On the day of the event I arranged to start the run with another guy from work setting out on his first fun run as well, although he was 15 years younger, over 2o kgs lighter and much more prepared than me. As we waited at the start line the nerves started to peak, and I noticed the diversity of people about to embark on the same challenge. Some looked confident, some concerned, but most looked relaxed and ready for what lay ahead.
After 15 minutes of anticipation the starting gun fired and it took almost a minute to move along with the crowd to cross the start line and set off running. Surprisingly I found it relatively easy to get into a rhythm and soon found myself overtaking people around a few hundred meters as we started heading up the first hill. By the time we passed the 1km marker near the top of the hill I felt good and my confidence to post a good time was growing. As we continued on I was finding it easier to push on, and I was soon ducking in and out people in front of me to keep up with my running partner who was starting to get away from me.
Around the 3km mark came my first dilemma, whether or not to grab a drink at the water station. My choice was to grab a cup, which led to a comical display of me trying to unsuccessfully get some of it into my system, which I can elaborate further in a future entry. Now with the realisation I was over half way through my first fun run I was again feeling confident of completing the challenge. As the course again turned uphill passing the 4km marker I dug deeper and pressed ahead thinking of the finish line glory awaiting. The elevation of the course then changed downhill giving me a burst of pace, and again my thoughts flashed for a sub 30 minute run as I could see the 5km marker a bit further up the road.
It was at this point the reality of where the 5km marker sat registered in my brain, at the base of a steep looking hill I had not factored into my record setting pace. It was now my progress became more laboured, and my willpower quickly evaporated. Within 50 meters of starting up the incline my run became a walk, and I watched dishearteningly as a number of people I had been passing with ease earlier were now repaying the favour leaving me behind. I felt defeated that I had failed to finish the fun run without walking but after catching my breathe (whilst walking the rest of the 200 meters of the incline) I started again into a jog, then picked up the pace and coasted downhill towards the finish line.
As I got to the base of the downhill section and turned the final corner, the finish line was insight and suddenly I felt revitalised. With a new found spring in my stride I powered to the finish line and managed to cross the line with a smile on my face. As I was ushered off the road towards the recovery area the bloke in front of me decided to make room for some of the fresh fruit and beverages available and proceeded to vomit directly in front of me. Thankfully I was still agile enough to avoid the mess unlike the girl who was directly in front of him. Needless to say she wasn’t impressed.
With the fun run completed I managed to meet up with my family as we looked around at the festivities which were at the event. All in all I had completed the challenge, although not the way I had hoped. It was at this point I made a pledge to myself to return the in 2014 and run the full distance of the fun run. Now, as my fitness has improved my goals are shifting, but I still intend to complete the RunGeelong fun run this year, although it will be the 12km course, and walking won’t be an option.
My RunGeelong 2013 results
- Distance 6.3km
- Time 34:03
- Pace 5:24/km
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