02.24.08
Saved by the campus 5k
I know this doesn’t sound particularly tough or competitive, but I’ve decided to just own it about myself and say it out loud: I love small, friendly, unhyped road races. Especially the familiar campus variety, with the mandatory Gimghoul loop of varying directions, the awkward maneuvering on cobblestones and up narrow sidewalks, and the undergrad course monitors looking shocked to be awake at 8 am for the first time in months. I’m talking about the kind of race where you show up alone but run into people you know from all areas of your life - runners and non-runners, spouses with dogs on leashes, little kids running around. I love these types of races!
I realized this yesterday when I showed up at the Hearts on Franklin 5k at 8:15, my $20 in pocket ready for the 9 am start. I hadn’t planned for this, hadn’t trained specifically for this - didn’t even decide to do it for sure until I woke up feeling like it that morning. I wasn’t plagued by any morbid worries or fears or what ifs? I was just there, ready and open to see what I would have in me when the gun went off.
I’ll spare the details on the actual race except to say that I felt strong and confident, although I couldn’t lollygag: there were two fast women right behind me (the top three women were in the top 6 for the race, and all were under 19 minutes - not bad for such a small race!). I forgot to start my watch and had absolutely no idea of what I was doing except trying to run my way to first place and a $50 gift certificate to Whole Foods.
Really the point is just to say that somehow this low-key environment did me good. It reminded me of the simplicity of the sport and of why running is fun - no more pressure than an arcade game, really, except with a slightly higher starting fee. I just wanted to see what I could do on that day, on that course, in that situation. I know this is the basic idea for every race we run, but I sometimes lose sight of it when I think too much.
I realize that not every race can be a campus 5k. Not every race should be a campus 5k. What I’m thinking, though, is that the campus or community race is a good way to pick out what is important and leave the other stuff behind.
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Diana said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I am so with you on this, Sarah. The campus 5Ks are this area’s best kept running secret. They’re great for when you need a boost of confidence or are searching for motivation. The people are always nice (remember that early morning sorority 5K in the cold rain where the girls had signs and were yelling and chipper the whole way?) and it’s fun to race down men who are surprised and impressed to have a girl so close behind. There’s no pressure, the loops are familiar, and most of them are for charity. In the past I have been frustrated that they don’t advertise, but I’m glad they don’t because that’s part of their appeal and charm.