But that's the day that was scheduled for the UPS Ultimate 10K run, so that's where I was Saturday morning, along with 290 other foolhardy souls.
Overall, it went well. I finished, which was my one and only real goal for the race. Since I've started doing some running these past few years, my motto when it comes to races is that's it's better to finish dead last, than not to finish; and it's better not to finish than not to try.
That said, I was satisfied with my overall performance. My time was pretty much right on target, and my place was in the middle of the pack, which is where I generally belong.
It was more than a bit on the toasty side, however. Luckily, there were water stops located at several points along the route, as well as one stand that was simply handing out wet, ice-cold rags, which offered a little bit of relief.
The course snaked its way through the upscale Davies Plantation subdivision, and many of the homeowners along the route had set up their sprinklers along the roadside, aiming the water into the roadway. You could always tell when there was a sprinkler up ahead, because the runners would cross to that side of the road to run through the refreshing mist.
It was also hillier than I was used to. I'd done my share of training over the past few months, but it's hard to simulate rolling hills here on the flatlands of the Delta. Perhaps next time I'll need to run up and down the levee a few times to get myself better prepared.
I think my favorite part about a road race like this one is the people. In this case, there were hundreds of people joined together in the same recreational pursuit. From a tight pack that crowds the starting line, the runners soon spread out, but there are always others nearby. There's always someone running the hills with you. There's always someone burning up with you. There's always someone struggling to keep on going with you. And there's always everyone back at the finish line to celebrate in the accomplishment with you. Though I didn't know another soul in the race, there was a camaraderie to be treasured.
My running hobby started a few years ago when I simply got tired of wasting away on the couch. I still remember my first run — I got about four houses up the street before I felt like I was going to die. But I stuck with it, and to date, I've run three 5Ks and one 10K. I'm sort of in the midst of an informal four-year plan, that began last year with the 5K, continuing this year with the 10K. If I keep up with it, next year could be a half-marathon, with the big enchilada — a full marathon — coming the year after that.
But I've got time to worry about all that later. For now, I'm just going to spend the next few days enjoying my latest accomplishment — and recovering from it. But I'm sure I'll enter at least a couple of more 5Ks before the year is out — they're too much fun to stay away.
One of those 5Ks will likely be the United Way Chili Cookoff 5K Run/Walk set to be held Oct. 16 here in Blytheville. In it's inaugural year in 2009, several dozen fun- and fitness-loving souls braved the chilly morning to take part, and had a good time. It's a great opportunity for anyone interested in joining with a few friends and neighbors in pursuit of physical fitness, whether you want to walk it or run it.
If nothing else, at least by mid-October, we won't have to be worrying about the heat index anymore.
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