Monday, January 01, 2007

Countdown to a New Year

Jan. 1, 2007, 10 a.m.: Montgomery County Road Runners Resolution 5K: 33:01 (10:38 min. mile)

My running has been sporadic the past few weeks. I've been running only three miles 2-3 times a week, and I have been taking it easy because of a niggling ITB problem and what I think is the start of plantar fasciitis. (Doctor? What doctor?)

So, I had two goals this morning: don't walk, and don't be last. Done and done.

No matter how many races I run, I am always a nervous wreck before a race. Like ridiculously nervous. Right up until I left the house I wasn't sure I would go. I didn't tell anyone I was racing. I was going to run the D.C. Road Runners 5k today, but that was at noon, and I knew that by then I would have talked myself out of it. Why am I so mental?

So I consulted my (and your) handy online coach for a little pep talk, and as usual, she came through.
Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are not there to win the race; your livelihood does not depend on you crossing the finish line first. Relax. Soak up the good vibes, take in the scenery and smile.
So that's just what I did. I hung with a 7-year old most of the way, urging him not to let me pass him (I did finally pass him, what can I say?)

And what makes this race truly unique, is that this is the "No Headphones Allowed" club, and they aren't kidding. The registration form is stamped "NO HEADPHONES" and it's a small race so it would be really conspicuous if I wore my trusty Shuffle. Heaven knows, I don't want to be conspicuous. So I was On My Own. I sang the first verse of Good King Wenceslas about 27 times to compensate. I tried to enjoy the people around me and the nice 50 degree (F) temp (check it out: the Cherry Blossoms have bloomed, four months early), the slight rain, and the birds. And the 3.1 miles of industrial park that we ran through.

Still.

A nice way to start the new year. And I got my own permanent MCRR number (170) to boot. These people have a lot of faith in me!

Happy New Year.

18 comments:

susie said...

WE have a lot of faith in you, too. Look at that pace!! Congrats Jeanne. Happy New Year to you. I hope it's a great one!!

21st Century Mom said...

What a great way to start the New Year so Happy Happy!

Laurie said...

What a great way to begin 2007. Great job not walking and not being last.

LBTEPA said...

Congratulations, Speedy!
And way to go crushing the spirit of a 7yo, mwahahaha.
Happy New Year!

Mmem said...

Great time, congrats on your finish (and on beating the 7 yr old:-)). Love the weird songs that go through my head when I have no music with me.

Happy New Year, looks like a great start:-)

Steph said...

I took a good picture of you at the end of the race! (I'm not some random weirdo, I volunteered this morning!) Let me know if you want it. I'm trying to figure out how to give people on the MCRRC listserv access to the photos...

Congrats on a great finish!
-Steph

Anita said...

Good King Wencelas, huh? Perhaps if you would have sung it outloud they would have made an exception to the "NO HEADPHONES" mandate. Regardless on the rather odd choice of music, congratulations on starting the year out with yet another marvelous achievement added to your growing list! If I just get my sorry behind to the gym for cardio today I'll be happy, but for now, it's off to the movies :)

David said...

Okay; so you can brag how you've run more races than all of us this year .... for a while. Work it.

Pace is good. A minute better than marathon pace, right?

Did your online coaching make a difference? Could you possibly calm down?

Dori said...

Good job, Jeanne! Great speed and how nice that you have good weather.

MNFirefly said...

Awesome start to the new year!

Bolder said...

good call on the song selection... you must have been popular...

Happy 2007 Jeanne!

Anonymous said...

have you tried the frozen bottle of water to roll your foot over? it worked for me and it burned calories as i would twist and turn from the tuchas up in a giggly fit. i don't do cold or any footy tickle well.

when i run without tunes, i end up singing the fifty-nifty states song. or other dreadful kids songs. i think if you and i do this often and loud enough, they'll change their attitude about headphones. oooor, we can run with tunes blaring from portable speakers.

L*I*S*A said...

Great way to start the new year. I usually end up singing something too, when I find I'm without tunes!

Anonymous said...

Good for you for getting out there and running - and racing! I'm paralyzed by fear to race again since PR'ing a race 3 months ago (and you think you're mental). :)

Anonymous said...

Great pace! I haven't done a race since April for fear of falling apart.

Rae said...

Great job!! Happy New Year!!!!!

Rich said...

Yeah, my in-laws asked my wife why I planned to run White Rock even though I didn't think I could win it. Go figure.

Thomas said...

Hey, I ran a 5k on New Year's Day too. It's a great start to the new year, isn't it?

Btw, from the "evolution" photos it looks like you're about half the woman you used to be.