The training for my first race ever (including younger years) went very interestingly to say the least. I was sporadically able to get on the treadmill at the local JCC for a few miles maybe once or twice a week. Looking back, I needed way more training than I put in, but I had yet to fully commit to the whole running thing. The longest distance I had ever run prior to toeing the start line (more like, hanging at the back of the crowd, more nervous than I have ever been in my life) was 3 miles. And that was a struggle. My goal for the day was to run the whole distance without stopping and to finish with a flurry. Well, 1 out of 2 isn't terrible for my first race.
Prior to the race, I had no idea what I was going to wear, or if I should bring anything with me, however I decided that since it was cold I would wear my MMA Nogi rashguard for protection from the wind. I also made the fatal mistake of buying brand new shoes (OFF OF eBAY!!) the week prior to the race. They were green and stylish... and they hurt my feet. Since the day was around 35* and rainy I began the run with a rashguard (kind of like a light Under Armour layer), a winter hat and some thin gloves that I stole off of my wife. By the end of the race I had my gloves off in my pockets, winter hat off in my other pocket, and my rashguard sleeves rolled up past my elbows. Apparently being 215 lbs and running 5 miles creates a lot of heat, even in 40* weather. The rest of my attire included an Under Armour short sleeved t-shirt, cotton boxer briefs, some longer basketball shorts, heavy cotton socks and the afore mentioned brand new shoes. Needless to say, I've learned a lot since then in the way of dressing appropriately.
Prior to the race I arrived with my friend Melissa, and met up with Brian, his cousin Ryan, sister Megan, cousin Pat, and a group called the Young Irish Professionals that includes a good friend Kelly. Brian and I had decided to run the race about a month prior in honor of his father, a multi-marathon runner who had passed away the prior December. Selfishly, it was the closest person that I had know to pass away. That being said, I cannot even imagine what Brian and his family were going through. To this day we still toast with his famous "The first one of the day!" regardless of if the beer was actually the 1st or closer to the 20th. The morning of, I remember stating multiple times that I wish I had signed up for the 2 mile run. I talked strategy with Brian for a few minutes and we decided to shoot for 12 minute miles and sneak in under an hour for our first 5 mile race. Brian was going to be timing it with his fossil watch. Really. Standing in the starting gate, I can't remember being this nervous for anything, even my wedding day...
Then the starting gun went off along with a serenade of bagpiping (my favorite). I took one look at Brian, and stated simply "For your dad", followed by a solid fist bump and we were on our way. By the time we reached the bottom of the first hill, I could already see the leaders running back along the Cuyahoga river a good 1/2 mile ahead after just 30 seconds. I knew I was in for a long ride at this point. I was nervous right around the 1st mile marker because I was already feeling a bit out of gas, and it was because we ran a 11:15 mile. I know it sounds ludicrous now, but that was way out of my pace range and I was scared about the remaining run. It was a little after the 2nd mile marker that Brian had to stop running. I wanted to as well, but I kept trudging on and was doing quite well until I sloshed mistakenly through a puddle. Now, my already hurting new shoes were wet as well... the prefect combination. It didn't really start to matter until I hit the death hill. For some reason, the people at St. Malachi decided it was a good idea to run uphill into Tremont, a long and steep hill, at the end of the 3rd mile. It was at this point that I had to stop running the first time and catch my breath. All in all, I made it 3 miles before my legs wouldn't go any farther without a rest. The 4th mile was all downhill, so as soon as I hit the crest of the hill I went into gravity mode and let the downhill momentum carry me. I thought I'd be able to coast home, however even this took it out of me and I was starting to get close to the 12 minute mark according to the volunteer at the end of the 4th mile. It was at this point that I considered mailing it in and walking the rest of the way. I took a short 10-15 step break from running, collected myself before starting up once again, since Bob wouldn't have quit in a marathon if he had faced adversity. I remember thinking to myself "this is the last time I will be this ill-prepared for a run ever again." The last mile was sort of a blur, and I remember walking over a particularly slippery bridge back over the Cuyahoga river, hearing a friend's dad play the bagpipes along the 2nd last straight away. A volunteer looked at me and I think she knew I was struggling, and gave me a good boost of energy with an encouraging clap and a 'your almost there' cheer. I walked to the last corner and all that was left was a straight uphill 1/4 mile dash. Already mad at myself and wondering if I was going to miss my 56 minute goal, I sprinted the whole way up the hill. It was a minor victory on a day that I felt like I had few. The best news of the day- I looked up at the timer and saw the 54:08 and was shocked. After I lost Brian and heard from the 3rd mile guy I must have lost track of any sort of pace and pushed too hard. That lifted my spirits enough to turn around and wait for Brian, who crossed the line at 55:15, 45 seconds under his desired pace. We were satisfied.
That day was full of mental trials that I did not see coming, some wins, more losses, but ultimately looking at the accomplishment of finishing my first race in 1:52 seconds faster than I thought I could run it felt really, really good. The after party with close friends and friends that became closer that day did nothing to thwart my new found love of competing against myself. Enjoying the post-race glow I realized that I had accomplished something that a lot of people never will, albeit slowly and methodically, and I looked forward to future challenges. It would be 8 months until my next race and I learned so much in those 8 months that it makes this race look borderline ridiculous, but it will always have a special places on my wall of accomplishments. Brian and I finished 167 and 164 out of 173 25-29 year old males that day, which was a bit discouraging, but we finished and we were enjoying our celebratory beers at McCarthy's in the flats. After a bit of a quiet moment, I lifted my Guinness to Brian in a toast and just smiled and said "First one of the day!"
-RFH-
-Adam
