10.5k Races for Fun & Coming in Last?!? #MoveitMondays
It was family race day this weekend in Belgium and I came in last – well almost. And guess what? I had an absolute blast.
J’s family and I decided that it would make of a fun Saturday afternoon to run a 10k race together and you could say that this race was on a bit of a smaller scale race. This race took place in a small town in Belgium and only 90 people enrolled for the 10k (a big stretch from our last race together in Bruges where thousands of participants hit the cobblestones running). When we arrived at the race it seemed as if everybody knew each other from somewhere and the runners looked serious. As in almost everybody had matching-running-club-logo’d-t-shirts, was in tip-top physical shape and towered way over my average 5’6 ft frame. I may or may not have stood out in my bright pink running skirt in the middle of it all. 😉
As we approached the starting line. The thoughts began racing through my head – ‘What if I come in last?’, ‘These runners are in much better shape than me’, ‘How will I ever keep up?’. The last minute panic started to settle in just before the race started. But before I even had the chance to think things fully through, the starting shot went off and the “real” runners were out of my sight before I even had a chance.
So that is when I started running. At my usual pace, one foot in front of the other, while jamming out to my new favorite song. And the thoughts slowly left my head as I continued the race, one foot after another, with a smile. I started remembering the days before I could run, the days when I would lose my breathe running a quarter of a block to the bus, and then I remembered all my days of training up to this point. And I kept on running, all the way to the finish line. Placing 84th out of the 90 participants. And I could have very well been the last. And it wouldn’t have mattered. Because I got out, got moving, ran the race, did my best and had fun in the process.
J and I have signed up for several runs this Fall to ensure we stay active and happy as the cooler weather settles in. For me, signing up for local races keeps me motivated, on top of my training by working towards a goal and also simply makes sure I get out there and get active! And who cares if you make a fool of yourself/show up in your cute-favorite-hot-pink-running-skirt-when everybody-is-wearing-shorts/come in last along the way?
You got out there and got active and that deserves a metal in itself. Or a congratulatory beer if you live in Belgium.
The next run J and I signed up for is in a couple of weeks and apparently you get a beer for every two kilometers you run! How is that for mixing activity and pleasure? #onlyinBelgium
Just make sure you end your race with a smile knowing you’ve grown, even in the slightest bit, since the person you were yesterday.
Ceara this was so inspiring to read I just had to comment! I’ve been in that EXACT spot. Did a smaller 10k beginning of this year and it was the farthest distance yet. I’m pretty sure I was close to dead last too. But the saying of Your Race, Your Pace always sticks in my brain. We all started somewhere in this journey and the only can keep improving. Ended up doing a 25k just 4 months later which I thought was impossible at the time!
Thank you for the inspiring post, it put a smile on my face. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words Lindsay! You are an inspiration – 25 km! Congratulations – that is truly an amazing feat! Running a half marathon is something I am working towards and a goal of mine in the future 🙂 All the best!!
Yay, congrats on your 10K race Ceara, that’s a tremendous accomplishment! Love your positive attitude and totally agree that the whole point was to finish for yourself 🙂 Keep it up girl, you totally rocked it! 🙂
High five, Ceara, for your outlook, not caving to anxiety over the other runners and for finishing the race with such a big smile! Great idea to sign up for races to keep you motivated and to keep to a training schedule. Love that!
Thanks Lori for the kind words! A positive outlook is the only way to go sometimes 🙂 Especially when you are up against pro-runners 🙂
That is wonderful! You are an inspiration – personal best is all that matters! Good for you!
Thanks mama!! 🙂
You did a tremendous job, Ceara! Very happy to read your comments, as I was just some meters before you…Very proud of our achievement! And very enjoyable!
Thanks Filip! Was a blast running with you and the family!! Congratulations on your achievement as well!
Well at least you finish that’s all that matters! I look forward to seeing more races from you! I have taken up jump rope again and I love it 🙂 I am trying to stay active and looking forward to cooler weather! 🙂
Thanks Shundara! I have a jump rope in my back closet that I need to start using! I am also looking forward to the cooler weather … but not to running through the rainy season here!
Congratulations Ceara. You are an inspiration. You didn’t come in last… you beat all the people who didn’t run!
Ha! You are so right Dad!! Love it 🙂
Congrats on your 10k race, Ceara! That is quite an accomplishment! So glad you had fun! And it sounds like the congratulatory beer was definitely worth it! 🙂 I love your inspiring quote at the end of this post, so true!
Thanks for the kind words Gayle!!
Bravo, love!! 🙂 I like your attitude and you’re right… the whole point of it was to finish it for YOU!!
Keep going, keep running!! Maybe one day I’ll be running somewhere too haha!! Maybe…
Sending tons of love from Austria!!
Thanks for the love Mireille! <3 One day we have to go for a job together - or I could join in on one of your Zumba classes!!