First 5K, Barefoot - AFC 5K Race Report By Cali Girl

Well, I did it! I met my goal of finishing a 5k this year. Getting healthier was a promise I made to my mom, who passed away of a massive heart attack last year at the age of 59, so this was sort of big for me even though I didn't do it extremely well with a time of 37:20.  But... I still feel completely accomplished!

 

I haven't run at all in about a week and a half.  My last post about the hills killing me was so very true.  I think it is the downhill.  I need to learn to do it with a lighter landing as I ended up with TOFP in both feet, 5th metatarsal that got pretty uncomfortable on the left foot.  I was worried I was going to end up with a stress fracture and so stopped running and walked for the last 10 days or so instead.

 

I made the 2 hour drive to San Diego yesterday evening to pick up my bib and stuff and slept on a friend's couch.  Then got up bright and early to head to Balboa Park.  I was a bit nervous as I had absolutely no clue what in the world I was doing.  My friend went with me to cheer me on, and it was nearly immediately evident that there weren't really any other barefooters out there; they must have been running the half.  I got a bunch of odd looks and a few questions and comments, but nothing rude or obnoxious, which I was very glad for.

 

I didn't eat anything before hand and sipped a bit of Lifewater Zero while waiting for line up time.  People were running and stretching and hanging out in groups doing warm up stuff.  My friend and I sat on the curb and watched.  I only have so much energy, and I didn't want to waste it warming up.  lol

 

When they called to line up, I moseyed on over to the back, outside edge of the pack and talked with a few others around me who were also running a race for the first time.  Very nice people.  And then we were off.

 

I worked hard to keep a nice slow pace, since I'm not up to anything more just yet.  I find pacing myself to be one of my biggest challenges, but I think I did ok.  There was a downhill then uphill area.  I slowed way down going down so as not to irritate my foot and then had to walk half of the uphill.  I was a bit annoyed at myself due to that, but once I reached the top, I just shook the annoyance off and picked back up.  I was not out to win anything, only finish what I started with my mom in mind.

 

With about half a mile left, I was starting to get tired.  I haven't run three miles since my move six weeks ago.  My savior came in the form of a woman who kept a slow and steady pace.  I followed her in for the last half mile and then thanked her profusely explaining that I was new to running, and her pace had really helped me out.  When I saw the finish line, I got a bit teary.  I did it, started what hopefully becomes a lifelong commitment of improved health, a promise kept, a new way of life that will hopefully be passed on to my own children, so they don't have to ever make the choice to remove a loved one from life support when making better life choices could have prevented such pain.

 

I didn't get to stay for any of the post race festivities, but maybe next time.  Now I'm ready for a nap.  lol