I went to my first 5K race over the weekend. No, I did not run in the event. I was just in the cheering section. It was a night race, which I guess is an even more special event.
I never did track or cross country in school. So, this was an entirely new experience for me. It was at our high school football stadium. The place was full of energy. There was a DJ over where the band usually sits. This was where the prizes were to be given out later.
As I got to see the track, I saw a bunch of people walking and running on the track. I was thinking to myself, "Aren't these people going to get tired, especially on a humid night like this?" Maybe Runner Girl and others can give me insight on this.
"Hey Doc! Why aren't you running in the race?", many people asked me. I made up something like it was because of my old knee injury from chess club back in high school. *grin*
This is an entirely different topic, but I know I'm out of shape. And, I do admit, that I'm just as bad as some of my patients in that I make excuses for not working out. I know what you're going to say, "Practice what you preach." Thanks for calling me out on that one. Back to the story...
I always wondered who decides who is in the front of the starting pack. The starter lined up the runners by "speed," meaning those who have run faster times in front and those with slower times in back. I guess this makes sense, because you don't want people running over other people just at the start.
The race started, and then the waiting began. The entire group did a lap in the stadium, and then they ran the streets of the town, including in the park. The excitement grew minute after minute waiting for the first runner to arrive.
And then, the stadium erupted with cheering as the first people arrived. For the next 30 minutes you would hear occasional cheers as loved ones spotted friends/family as they entered the stadium for their final lap.
Overall, a fascinating experience. I thought people would be negatively competitive in asking what times you had and saying how they were better. It was very supportive. People told me it's not a race against other people as much as it is a race against yourself and the clock. Who knows? Maybe I'll pick up this running thing myself?
BTW, kudos to Cathy who survived her blogathon weekend and exceeded her goal of fundraising. Congratulations! Hope you got some well deserved rest.