Writings: The 5k Run

I am sleepy still, but the morning is bright and beautiful. Out the window of my car I catch a glimpse of clouds shimmering pink and gold from the newly risen sun, and for a moment I am sad that I usually never see this time of day. But the thought is short-lived as I return to being excited about running the 5k.

A steep grassy hill is the only place to park at White Rock Lake, and I'm scared to death my car will roll down the hill. I pull up the emergency break and hope for the best. I ask a few passersby for their opinion regarding the precarious tilt of my car, and they assure me it will be okay. People are so nice, always willing to assuage the neuroses of friends and strangers alike.

This morning White Rock Lake smells like mud, green grass, and cold air; it's a great day to run. The course is hilly and runners are warming up all over the landscape like little ants in spandex.

At the start line there are a great number of people, hundreds I'd guess. I am towards the back because I don't know the course and am hoping to follow the pack. It's cold. I am happy when they finally sound the signal to start, and off we all go...to a walking start. Because there are so many people we move like one giant amoeba, which isn't very fast. But eventually the fast runners pull ahead and the slow runners fall behind; the giant amoeba disintegrates - I am running!

I am still sleepy, and do not have enough mental alertness to appropriately dwell on the natural beauty of White Rock Lake. I do briefly note the rippled sunlight on the lake as being very beautiful indeed and focus my attention on keeping up with my herd.

I never knew what it was like to run with so many people. Now I know how zebras and schools of fish feel. I would probably follow this running mass over a cliff if that happened to be our chosen communal purpose. There is no need to think - just run like everyone else. It is wonderful in a way.

***

My time was 32 minutes, which was fine by me. I did this more for the experience than for the competition. After the race they handed out bananas and coffee, which was just perfect. I realize I love these races, and am planning on running more. My next will be a 10k.