We were almost late for the race. On top of that, I forgot my iPod. On top of which, I didn't think I could possibly do a 5k after just ONE stab at a 3k. I was secretly hating myself for agreeing to run this, but oh well, what can I do. My other self said I was competitive.
We met up with Chips' friend, Alo, who was also running 5k. Heading over to the starting line, it was already jam-packed with people. A sea of green - old people, young people, babies even. There was a big and small category and some baby trollies actually had race numbers. I had a brief vision of Chips actually doing such a thing when we have a kid. Shake off vision, focus on run.
Chips had to go back to the car because we forgot our hydration bottle. While that was happening, Alo and I perched ourselves by the barricades, waiting for our turn to go into the starting line. A lot of the 5k runners were still milling about. And the 10k people were already being counted down to their start. Bam! There they went. We see the 10k runners off, and after a gap, 5k runners were running off as well.
WHAT. We were confused. Didn't know we were supposed to be at the starting line already. We looked around just to be sure, and the next batch waiting were already wearing the 3k numbers. WHAT another. So we hurried over to the other side of the barricades, squeezed our way thru the 3k runners and we were running before our consciousness even told us we were running.
The organizers closed off some roads, but generally there were still cars in some intersections we had to cross. I was lucky enough to be paced by Chips, because he had more of the runner's instinct of where to be on a road race. I would've just played "connect the dots" on the lane markers.
Jogging thru Serendra and High Street was I guess okay. I think that was almost 2 kilometers from where we started. And then I started getting mighty tired. There was no fun, fast downhill. There was just blinding amounts of people in green. It was like being thumbelina running through a field only the blades of grass were running too. I longed for that feeling when you didn't have to make your own air, you were balanced on a lovely steed galloping effortlessly. OH WELL.
Approaching St. Luke's, my legs were gelatinous. I had already taken a break by brisk-walking instead, and yet it seemed like everything was so far away. By the Lexus showroom I totally just wanted to roll over and die. I was cursing in between breaths and I didn't care if the old lady beside me gave me "a look". Chips said we were almost 3k (or something, I really couldn't comprehend). Why doesn't it f*cking end already!?!
I couldn't imagine running any longer distance. It felt too slow and too long. Somewhere along the way, Chips says he'll just make me stick to 3k. Okay, I'll agree to that. Dammit, where is that finish line?! At some point I thought I saw the building. We were trudging uphill and to my despair, there was no significant downhill rollercoaster moment. Finally, the finish line decides to show itself and Chips was prodding me to run and make a strong finish.
We cross some other runners and I guess this is the famed "second wind" thing people talk about. Working through the pain, the legs surprisingly just went ahead and ran. For a moment, I relished the speed. And then the finish line came and then it was over. The hubby was happy and hugging me, but again, I was too dizzy to really appreciate the joy. Rehydrate, he says, to help prevent muscle spasms. I've never drank so much liquid so early in the morning, it was like filling a water balloon that wouldn't pop.
So there, official time is around 40 minutes. Just some minutes more, it's his 10k time. I'm at least happy that we've come to a mutual understanding that we'll be going back to 3k. In the meantime, I would goddamn like some coffee.
