Hello 2012! It’s nice to meet you. My name is Marie and sometimes I do silly things. Like take 3 hour-long workout classes at the gym back to back to back and expect to walk to the next day, or register for a 5-miler instead of a 5K for the first day of the new year when I’ve never run more than 3.1 miles in my whole life.
I’m sure we’ll be great friends.
On Friday night, I was sitting in front of the TV with my parent, laptop open, researching the my first race of the year. I was naively looking for the starting line address when I noticed that the January 1, 2011 race was 5 miles and the accompanying walk was 3. In a panic, I searched for the January 1, 2012 race and there it was: 5 MILE run. Not a 5K, a 5-miler.
Oops.
I immediately panicked. Things like “I can’t run 5 miles!” to “How could I be so STUPID?” came out of my mouth more than once. But the fee had already been paid so instead of throwing 23 precious racing dollars out the window, I opted for my only other choice: run the 5 miles.
And to my utter surprise, relief and joy… it was great.

The Highs:
– Inexpensive, local race. A $20 race fee for a 5-miler is great, especially when you get a shiny PR and some bright green running gloves. Plus, Woburn is only 20 minutes away so I got to sleep in, eat my toast with peanut butter, and warm up without having to rush.
– First race with the Garmin. I’m hooked. I knew when to slow down after I went out way too fast (seriously, seeing a 8:10 on the watch within the first .25 miles was SCARY!!) It also let me see how much longer I had to go which made it less daunting.
– Friendly, helpful volunteers. Because the course went between Woburn and Winchester, there were volunteers stationed at the various streets to point runners in the right direction. And at the halfway mark, a nice man shouted your time too you. And every clapped and waved. It was reassuring to hear “you’re doing great!” on practically every corner.
– My cheering squad. Both of my parents came to see my race. It was the first time my dad has been to one and only a second for my mom. It was so great seeing them as I rounded the corner after that last hill and I almost knocked my mom over when I hugged her.
– The weather. Partly sunny, 50 degrees with a nice, cool breeze. A-mazing.
– Automatic PR. First 5-miler equals 5-miler PR. 55:23 on the Garmin. Not too shabby!

The Lows:
– Only 1 water stop. I really didn’t need water during the race because I never felt dehydrated but having some to splash in my face, especially towards the end would’ve been nice.
– So. Many. Hills. I’m happy to report that I made it up most of them without having to walk but the last hill right before the finish line was a BITCH!
Overall, I am a happy happy girl. I keep thinking, “I can’t believe I ran 5 miles today.” And I realized that I’d rather run longer distances at a slower pace rather than wanting to die from going to fast after half a mile. Great lessons, great race.
Great way to kick of 2012!
haha, a great intro to the story! That’s great that you loved it, even though it was your longest run EVER and you didn’t even get to train up to 5 miles. You’re already starting the year off right with accomplishing goals of longer distances.