I think, I know, I DID!

Today I completed the Sole of the City 10k.  Yes, I said 10k, as in twice what I normally run.  This wasn't my first one (it was my second) but it was my first big one.  For the first 3-4 miles I chanted to myself, I think I can, I think I can and then it turned into I know I can.  At then end it became I DID.  During the last mile, I did revert to I think I can, but that is okay, since it became I did.  For only being my second 10k ever, I gotta say, I nailed it.  Not only did I beat my best time, I felt good doing it.  It was probably the first time I really felt good running.  Of course now that I said that, I have probably jinxed myself, so it could be the last.

A few runs ago, I realized that no matter how much I tried, running an entire race (no walking at all) was probably out of my reach.  Thanks to some of the challenges I have, my legs tire very quickly, especially when I push way too hard.  Unfortunately, I am stuck with the legs I was given.  (I know because I have put in a request for a new ankle and it was denied.)  So instead of getting frustrated because I had to take walk breaks, I just embraced them.  I did make sure I didn't walk more than I ran and I deemed hills (not little bumps) and cobbles as walk zones.  It wasn't until I got to mile 5 that my legs started to fade, so by mile 6, I was doing a little more walking, but I didn't stop and to be honest, I didn't want to.

My favorite site was seeing the American flag flying at the finish line.  I took one last quick walk break and then broke out in to a my end of race sprint.  I can't finish a race without it.  The cool thing was that I didn't feel like falling over after the race.  Don't get me wrong, I was exhausted and with good reason, but I wasn't fighting to keep myself upright or from puking.  I always have this fear I am going to keel over as I cross the line.  That would humiliate me to no end plus I'd probably get trampled by the other finishers. 

Next week is another run, though this time it'll be a short but somewhat hilly 5k.  Last year it was one of the ones that kicked my butt.  It's time for me to kick back and after this week, I think I just might be able to do it.  Check back next week for the update, because not only do I think I can, I know I can and I will.  :)