Running Out of Time
So, I casually mentioned in a blog post last week that I signed up for a 10k. And no one is freaking out about it, so I thought I would say it again to give people ample time to die laughing.
I SIGNED UP TO RUN A 10K THIS WEEKEND.
This is funny and terrifying on several levels.
Level One – I have never run a 10k before. Ever. In fact, the farthest distance I have ever run was 8 miles. And that was at my peak last year.
Level Two – I haven’t run regularly since August. I get out maybe once or twice a week now.
Level Three – The farthest I have run in the past seven months has been 3.5 miles.
And so, CLEARLY, I am in the best position possible to run my farthest race yet.
(Go ahead and laugh now.)
(And while you’re at it, laugh at this picture. Especially Bean.)
Seriously, I don’t know what happened. All I know is that I ran 3.5 miles last week (which is my favorite distance to run – just long enough to get the runner’s high, but short enough that I can still function for the rest of the day), came home, jumped on the computer, and signed up for the first race I found in my area.
This is what happens, people, when you make decisions while on a runner’s high. Or any kind of high, I would imagine. Things seem totally doable and fun and like the right thing to do. And then you wake up the next morning and think, “What the heck just happened?!?!”
The worst (or best?) part is that I immediately texted my friend, Dawn, and convinced her to sign up.
(That’s Dawn on the left of me in this picture. We sometimes run races together. And we sometimes run away from our problems together. That’s the best kind of friend to have.)
Then I emailed my mother-in-law, who will be in town this weekend, and got her to sign up, too. And then I texted my sister-in-law and convinced her to run, too. So, now, I couldn’t even back out if I wanted! I’ve got PEOPLE! I have a TEAM!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME, IMAGINARY FRIENDS????? WHY WEREN’T YOU ALL HERE TO STOP ME FROM MAKING NO GOOD, VERY BAD CHOICES?!?!?!?
You really dropped the ball on this one, imaginary friends. I’m very disappointed in you.
29 Comments
deepa
Haha! I don’t think you are crazy; you will clearly be awesome. The main point of my comment, however, is that you look AMAZING! Even “just” 2 or 3 times a week, running looks fantastic on you.
Michelle | Letters from Boston
Bahahaha — laughing at your words, not at the idea. YOU CAN DO IT! You did 8 miles, you can do a measly 6! Just one food in front of the other, that’s all you can do. And if you have to stop and walk, don’t beat yourself up about it. The important thing is: you’re getting out there and doing it. GO KATIE GO!!
Michelle | Letters from Boston
Um . . . I meant foot. Not food. Freudian slip??
Ginny
You do know that a 10k is 6.4 miles, right? So, you have run one before, silly. Haha. I’m so proud of you!!
Dani
But 8 miles is farther than 10k….. You’ll do great!
Renee
I signed up to run a 10k at the end of May. The longest I have ever run is a 5k. Then I convinced my brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law to run it with me. And they’re all way better runners than me, so I was going to look like a schmuck. I started training early and got up to 4.5 miles, but now I won’t be able to run it. So…I’ll just have to cheer for them and be thankful that they won’t make me look bad. Good for you for signing up though – at least you’ve run that far in the past. You’ll do great, and you can set your first time and go up from there the next time!
Jess
Bahaha… You`re hilarious! You have a bigger team than you know- we`re all rooting for you! Did you know after you run 10k, you get ice cream? Its like a rule or something. I ran one once, and afterwards, I went for ice. Do it. Its a thing 😉
Jen
It’s not against the rules to stop and walk some. People even run marathons that way. You can do a 10 min run, 1 min walk or whatever floats your boat. You’ll do great!
lissa
Maybe we’ll all run with you—in a completely imaginary sort of way 🙂 Good Luck!
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
You got this, Katie! We’re rooting for you! And I love the “Run, Mommy, run!” sign with scribbles and stickers all over it. So cute.
HeatherM
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR GETTING BACK INTO RUNNING!!! You will do great! We can’t wait to hear how it goes, so keep us posted next week. But I AM going to laugh at your math skills. A 5k (5 kilometers) is 3.1 miles. Double that, and a 10k is about 6.2 miles. So seeing as how you are running 55% of the race distance multiple times per week, it is totally do-able. You may not be perfectly trained, but it is still VERY doable.
Shana @Organized Chaos
It think it is great! It isn’t about how fast you go or even if you walk some of it! The four of you will get out there, laugh a little, sweat a lot, and finish that 10k like you were born to do it! GO MOMMA!
Dawn
You crack me up! See you Saturday!
Casey
Everyone else has already pointed it out, but I think that your freaking out is clouding your brain and thinking 10 miles instead of 10k. This should be a cake walk for you.
Sarah H.
WOW! Well you’re probably going to die. But at least you’ll have friends and family 🙂 Oh right, my new years resolution was to encourage. Go Katie!! Very bold move 🙂
Katie N.
It sounds silly, but here’s what I always remind myself before a race: once you start, you just kind of have to keep going. You’re a fish in a sea at that point, and everyone’s running in the same direction to the same place, so just let the others and their energy carry you 🙂 You’ll be fine! xoxo Katie
Sarah H.
Oh I just read other people’s post about how a 10K is only 6.2 miles. You’ve got this!!!
Alaina
Sorry! I wouldn’t tell you not to do it…training for a mini and running 9 miles t his weekend. You can do it! Let those other people motivate you!
SarahP
You Can Do It! 10K is only 6.2 miles. And its not a race. Its a nice morning run with a few thousand of your closest strangers. That’s what I tell myself for every “race”…
Keri
You’ll do great. You most likely will not be the last one to finish, and even if you are the last one to finish, you’ll be doing better than the billions of people sitting at home eating doughnuts on Saturday. And from what I’ve read, even the runners in your family, will not judge or criticize your time – they will be very proud that you entered and gave them the incentive to join! And don’t forget to sign up for the Peachtree Road Race, too!
sheila
if it makes you feel better, i don’t actually like to run, haven’t run regulalrly in about 8 mos, the longest run i’ve even done was 6 miles(last weekend) and my friend who convinces me to do dumb things convinced me to run a half marathon in may. im either doing to die laughing about this or die running. it’s a good thing im peer pressured into things like running and not other ways to get a high!
Suzanne
You’ve got this! You’ve run 8 miles before you can do 6.2 miles easily! Good luck and I know you can do it! Good job Katie 🙂
Kristinia
Your going to do AWESOME!! I am doing my first Triathalon this Sunday and its all about getting out there and doing what you think is impossible by your standards. Nothing is impossible through Christ. Remeber that at mile 4-6 and you will do great. Excited for you Kate!!
Carolyn
Good for you Katie!
i LOVE your blog. i read it religiously.
YOU GO GIRL!!! Much love for Toronto, Canada.
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Since you have a knack for pulling off the improbable, I’m not worried about you but for future reference? Any time you need to be talked out of running, I’m your girl!
jenny-bird
Best of luck!
Samantha
KATIE!!!! Oh boy, do I know how you feel! I’m 25 weeks pregnant and have D.C.’s Cherry Blossom 10-miler coming up in 3 weeks. Due to the monstrosity of a human that I currently am, I’m not sure I’m going to make it the 10 miles, but I’ve got such an entourage running with me, I feel like I can’t back out. Good luck on your race! Start slow, and walk through the water stations! 🙂
Jen @ Ginger Guide
Any time you need to get talked out of running, you come talk to me. I’m an expert. I have so many cute running outfits that still have the tags on them from after I had my kiddo….two and a half years ago. Ahh….it’s truly an art form now.
Mai Bateson
haha… you’re so funny Katie! If I.m closer to where you live, I can run with you and get to know you more 🙂 Start slow and drink lots of water!!! Goodluck! 🙂