Tomorrow is race day!!!

01 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment

by Mel in Uncategorized Tags: 5k, cardio, diet, exercise, fitness, goals, good days, healthy living, race, racing, running, training, triumph, weight loss

Tomorrow is race day.

I don’t know if it’s the uber cute new running outfit I bought or if I’m actually getting psyched for the race, but I’m really excited.

This has been a long time coming. As I mentioned in early blogs/rantings, I started running last fall in preparation for a 5k in December. Why I thought it would be alright to run outside during winter is beyond me, but whatever. I do wild and crazy things. The race got cancelled. I focused on spinning and not running. And now I’m back to running again.

I think like a lot of fat kids, I’ve wanted to be athletic all my life. I was always picked last in gym class. I was so bad, I got picked last in HEALTH CLASS when we were choosing teams for trivia competitions.

I tried so hard to be good at sports. When I ran on the basketball court, I ran harder than anyone. I ran the wrong way, but I ran. When I swam, I kicked harder than anyone. And could barely make a full lap in under a minute. I was so accustomed to residing in the back of the pack that I just stopped trying.

But this past summer, I was actually relevant to my softball team. It’s beer league softball, but still, it’s a team and we exert energy. When I went hiking with Becca on that godawful billy goat trail, I was tired but I made it. I’m looking better and feeling better, even on my down days.

I’m excited and nervous as hell about tomorrow. In the back of my head, there’s this little voice, Insecure And Crazy Mel, telling me that I haven’t really made as much progress as I think I have. I’m not going to run as fast as I want to. I’m not going to be able to finish the race. I’m going to walk across the finish line. The course officials are going to pick me up in their cars and drive me back. I’m going to be last. People are going to laugh at me. I’ve just imagined the weight loss. I’m still a fat ass.

But at the same time, I know I can do it. Sane Mel rolls her eyes at Insecure And Crazy Mel. I may not have run 3 miles all at once, but I’ve biked ten times as far in spin class with some wicked strong resistance. I’m also stubborn as hell. I’ll finish it. Worse comes to worse, I’ll just imagine I’m being chased by zombies. Or worse. Dallas fans. (Go Skins!)

So updates, most likely with pictures, will come tomorrow. I’m at least starting the race with my choir buddy Patty. (We’ve both agreed that after the starting shot, it’s every woman for herself).  She’s lost 85 pounds in the past year. Between the two of us there’s nearly 140 lost. I’m so proud of all the hard work she’s done! Such an inspiration to me!

I’m headed to bed now. I’m getting up way earlier than I think she be allowed on a Saturday so I can eat, get ready, and make it to the race site on time. Wish me luck everyone!