I did it! I actually did it! Last Saturday, I ran my first ever 10K race- The North Face Endurance Challenge Run. I ran with perseverance, and I crossed that finish line!! I've only ever really run one other race in my life, and that was a dinky 5K back in Pittsburgh (I'm allowed to call 5K's "dinky" now). I don't even really know what possessed me to sign up for this race- I just remember Peter talking about it back in January and me thinking, "I should do that". So I found an 8-week training plan online, printed it out and told myself that I could do it. I laugh to myself now as I remember the first day of running back in February- I struggled to run 1.5 miles (10K = 6.2 miles). I remember thinking, "I have to do that 4 times, all at once?? Dang."
But I stuck with it, putting my miles in like Hal Higdon told me to. Then came an interesting and quite puzzling obstacle: my left foot would go completely numb after running about 2.5 miles. Strange how painful a lack of sensation can be. I tried everything I could think of- loosening my shoes, stretching more, switching running surfaces, changing directions, running slower, running faster- but nothing really seemed to help. Some days were better than others, but basically the only thing that would bring my foot back to life was having a seat, literally. I had to stop running and sit down until the feeling returned, which is a major bummer to someone who's trying to RUN. I basically resigned myself to the fact that I would have to stop at some point during the race, but was still resolved to run my best while I could and finish well within the 90 minute time limit.
Race day finally came, and it was so exciting! The race was held in ChangPing, just north of Beijing, at a reservoir where they held the Olympic triathlon. The setting and the scenery were gorgeous- our course took us all around the reservoir, with water on one side and mountains on the other:
I was also so excited to be with a great group of friends and encouragers- there were 8 of us running from IECS, plus one of Peter's Chinese friends. Pregnant Jess and her friend Cassie were there to cheer us on and snap some fun pictures:
(Ladies before the race)
Please notice the whitecaps in the first picture, and the wild hair in the second- it was super-duper windy out there!! 30mph gusts were coming at us, pushing us around and creating waves that were crashing against the side of the dam. Another interesting obstacle, you might say. No matter, my adrenaline was pumping and I was more curious than anything to see how this whole thing would play out. The first 3K were pretty tough- we had hills and the wind in our faces. But I had my running buddy Shannon with me, and we stuck together and encouraged each other for the first 25 minutes or so.
(no, we do not usually run with our arms in the air!)
I managed to pick up the pace a bit when the course flattened out and I turned to run with the wind at my back. After 6K and 45 minutes, I was amazed that my feet were not numb at all!! So I made like Forrest Gump and kept on running. And running. It was such a beautiful place that I found myself just looking around, praising and thanking Him. After 57 minutes, my calves needed a break, and I decided that walking for a bit would be better than collapsing completely. But my feet never went numb!!! A true miracle as far as I'm concerned. When the course finally started heading back downhill for good, I realized that I was actually going to do it- I was going to finish, and I was going to finish strong! I had an awesome song blasting in my ears, and I started to really pound the pavement. I came around the last turn and saw Peter, WanLi, Jess and Cassie waiting for me. Talk about a rush! I think my face says it all:
That is a true and honest look of pure joy. I get chills just remembering! And as if finishing were not enough, I came in faster than I thought possible, especially on a hilly course on a windy day with numb feet to deal with:
One hour, thirteen minutes and 20 seconds!! My previous (and only) trial run took me an hour and eighteen minutes. This is truly an accomplishment and I don't mind saying that I am so proud of myself!! I set a goal, worked hard, and then exceeded my expectations as I met that goal. If you haven't done this lately (set a goal and then reached it), I highly recommend it. I'm already thinking about my next 10K: a flat course on a windless day. Who's with me??
And now for the parallel lesson (there's always one, isn't there?):
I am less than 2 months away from going home. While that thought excites me to no end, my goal is to be fully present here in China while I am here, running the full race and finishing strong. The finish line is in sight, but there is still so much to see and do before I get there. As in the race, when I take a moment to look around me at all that's happening, at all that He's doing here, I find myself praising & thanking Him. I am loving this race!!
But I stuck with it, putting my miles in like Hal Higdon told me to. Then came an interesting and quite puzzling obstacle: my left foot would go completely numb after running about 2.5 miles. Strange how painful a lack of sensation can be. I tried everything I could think of- loosening my shoes, stretching more, switching running surfaces, changing directions, running slower, running faster- but nothing really seemed to help. Some days were better than others, but basically the only thing that would bring my foot back to life was having a seat, literally. I had to stop running and sit down until the feeling returned, which is a major bummer to someone who's trying to RUN. I basically resigned myself to the fact that I would have to stop at some point during the race, but was still resolved to run my best while I could and finish well within the 90 minute time limit.
Race day finally came, and it was so exciting! The race was held in ChangPing, just north of Beijing, at a reservoir where they held the Olympic triathlon. The setting and the scenery were gorgeous- our course took us all around the reservoir, with water on one side and mountains on the other:
I was also so excited to be with a great group of friends and encouragers- there were 8 of us running from IECS, plus one of Peter's Chinese friends. Pregnant Jess and her friend Cassie were there to cheer us on and snap some fun pictures:
(Ladies before the race)Please notice the whitecaps in the first picture, and the wild hair in the second- it was super-duper windy out there!! 30mph gusts were coming at us, pushing us around and creating waves that were crashing against the side of the dam. Another interesting obstacle, you might say. No matter, my adrenaline was pumping and I was more curious than anything to see how this whole thing would play out. The first 3K were pretty tough- we had hills and the wind in our faces. But I had my running buddy Shannon with me, and we stuck together and encouraged each other for the first 25 minutes or so.
(no, we do not usually run with our arms in the air!)I managed to pick up the pace a bit when the course flattened out and I turned to run with the wind at my back. After 6K and 45 minutes, I was amazed that my feet were not numb at all!! So I made like Forrest Gump and kept on running. And running. It was such a beautiful place that I found myself just looking around, praising and thanking Him. After 57 minutes, my calves needed a break, and I decided that walking for a bit would be better than collapsing completely. But my feet never went numb!!! A true miracle as far as I'm concerned. When the course finally started heading back downhill for good, I realized that I was actually going to do it- I was going to finish, and I was going to finish strong! I had an awesome song blasting in my ears, and I started to really pound the pavement. I came around the last turn and saw Peter, WanLi, Jess and Cassie waiting for me. Talk about a rush! I think my face says it all:
That is a true and honest look of pure joy. I get chills just remembering! And as if finishing were not enough, I came in faster than I thought possible, especially on a hilly course on a windy day with numb feet to deal with:
One hour, thirteen minutes and 20 seconds!! My previous (and only) trial run took me an hour and eighteen minutes. This is truly an accomplishment and I don't mind saying that I am so proud of myself!! I set a goal, worked hard, and then exceeded my expectations as I met that goal. If you haven't done this lately (set a goal and then reached it), I highly recommend it. I'm already thinking about my next 10K: a flat course on a windless day. Who's with me??And now for the parallel lesson (there's always one, isn't there?):
I am less than 2 months away from going home. While that thought excites me to no end, my goal is to be fully present here in China while I am here, running the full race and finishing strong. The finish line is in sight, but there is still so much to see and do before I get there. As in the race, when I take a moment to look around me at all that's happening, at all that He's doing here, I find myself praising & thanking Him. I am loving this race!!
