Into the void: finish line edition

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I did it! I ran the 10k and set a personal record with 1:20:18 and was #422 out of 1002 females ages 45-49. There were 15,000+ people running.

The part on the bridge was everything I hoped. This bridge is never open to pedestrians, so this is the only chance to see the bay like this. (Bay is Chesapeake Bay).

I have no desire to do it again, but I am happy I met my goal.

Comments

[dr_zook]

🥳💐✨

This is SO COOL!! Congratulations!!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!!

💙

[oldtoadwoman]

That is so cool. I have a friend who runs 5Ks and at first I found myself thinking, "Why would you put yourself through that?" (I'm super lazy.) But she's having so much fun (unique experiences, cool finisher medals) that I'm almost considering trying one out (as a walker, not a runner, because I don't think I'm physically capable of running).

A personal record on a 10K sounds amazing and I'm happy the view was everything you'd hoped for.

Re: 💙

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Training for a 5k is reasonable. Training for the 10k required more effort but was also reasonable. For races of any longer distance (like half marathon), the training is like a part time job and that's too much commitment for me.

For me, it gives me something concrete to force me to exercise on a regular basis. I find have a fixed date to do something like this more motivating than not having it. I don't actually enjoy running but it is a simple form of cardio exercise which actually gets my heart rate up. Like, in the gym, on the elliptical, I go slow and not much happens. I can't force myself to do it. And I have a phobia of mirrors so I can't do cardio classes.

Thank you! Yes, the point of this was the view and it met expectations!

Re: 💙

[oldtoadwoman]

I thought I was alone in the mirror thing. I hate all the mirrors in gyms and they completely sap my will to keep trying. A friend convinced me to go to her dance class with her once and I hadn't even thought about the fact that a dance class would have giant mirrors on every wall (but of course they do) and I was so freaked out and depressed by the end of class. My friend could not understand why I didn't want to go back and join her for the "fun" activity a second time.

I know I can walk 5K easily, but I don't think my joints will let me run at all. (I bet I could even walk 10K, but I think everyone else would have packed up and gone home by the time I finished.)

Re: 💙

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes, I understand. I tried a zumba class a couple of years ago once just to try to get out of my comfort zone and I was at the very back (the class was very full) and I kept hiding behind the person in front of me. It was sad because I like to dance but I don't want to see myself dance. I think most people who dance want to see themselves to make sure they are doing the moves 'right' and that's a fundamental thing I can't do. And when I look at my face, I just focus very quickly on a very specific part (like did I rinse the cleanser off my eyebrow? or plucking one stray hair).

Well, that was the big fear of mine (re: walking 10k). Because they stressed you had to be off the bridge by 11 am or the SAG wagon would pick you up. And so I kept thinking 'I have to stay ahead of the SAG wagon.' There wasn't a real danger but in my head, I thought it was like a monster chasing me.

[dine]

congratulations! way to go - how cool you persevered and not only entered, but finished

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes! I cross the finish line upright and under my own steam! Win!

[smallhobbit]

Congratulations! That's a great medal plus a PB and being in the top half of your group is brilliant! Well done!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! It is a great medal (it's a puzzle piece, I think there are 5 total pieces which form a ring). Yes, the little lake where I train has some hills and of course the bridge doesn't have hills so I think that helped my time.

Thank you, thank you!

[brithistorian]

Congratulations! That sounds like a greats experience!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yes, I enjoyed myself and it met my expectations. I listened to BTS the whole way :)

[brithistorian]

I listened to BTS the whole way

I'm sure that helped. I've never been one of those people who insists "no music while walking/running!" ^_^

[garonne]

Oh wow, congratulations. (And how cool that you got a view of the bay out of it too.)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yes, that was the point. 10k is a bit long for me but I would never have that view otherwise. I've crossed the bridge a lot and always thought it would be nice to get out and look at the water.

[sweettartheart]

Woohoo! Congrats!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!!

[kitarella_imagines]

Wow! Running 10K! Well done!

I couldn't even walk 10K.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!

[kingstoken]

Congratulations!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!

[autumnia]

Congratulations!! I've always wanted to do a run like this (or any run for that matter) but I don't have the dedication or commitment for training. Instead, I'll just be one of those people who will cheer from the sidelines. :-)

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you! Yeah this is as long a race as I would do. Otherwise training is a part time job.

[debriswoman]

That’s brilliant! Well done !!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!

[malinaldarose]

Congratulations!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Thank you!

[fred_mouse]

Congratulations! And I love that your motivation was about crossing the bridge, and that that added to your enjoyment.

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Yes. That was the point, and I made sure to keep my eyes open and enjoy the scenery. The first part and the last part (not on the bridge) are not interesting and it's a bit longer than I want to train for on a regular basis. So, once is good. Done and dusted!