9 things I’ve learned from running 5ks.

As you know, one of my goals this year was to run one 5k a month, or twelve 5ks. Last Sunday, I participated in my 13th 5k of 2019. It was the appropriately named Jingle Bell Run. We started in downtown Seattle, ran past the library, got on the express lanes on the freeway, then turned around and exited at the Convention Center, and finished back where we started right near Nordstrom. It was super cold but I was out there with everyone else, jingling along as we got our run on.

Here are all the things I’ve learned from running thirteen 5ks this year:

1. There’s always someone faster than you. At first, I would get discouraged when I would see runners completing the race when I hadn’t even gotten to the halfway mark. But then I realized that there is always going to be someone that runs faster than me. And that I’m always going to run faster than someone else. I learned to not be disappointed and to just get lost in the crowd with everyone else.
2. Don’t assume anything. I use to look around, while waiting for the race to begin and try to size up the other runners, trying to figure out who was a fast runner and who was a slow runner. However, I soon realized that what someone looks like or what they are wearing has no bearing on their running ability. I’ve seen people who don’t look like they can run, finish the course faster than most. I’ve seen people with strollers or people with little kids finish faster. Similarly, I’ve seen people who look like they are in great shape who choose to walk the entire course. I realized that there’s no way to tell who is a runner or not and I’ve had to let go of some preconceived notions about what a runner looks like.
3. Just finish. I used to get embarrassed because I was one of the later people to finish the race or by the time I was finishing, there were a lot of people standing around who had already finished. But now, I know that by just finishing the race that I have accomplished something and I don’t care how long it takes or what place I come in. I know that finishing the race is still better than that not participating at all.
4. Don’t worry about the other runners. Again, I used to care about what the other runners would think if they saw me walking or if they were judging me, but then I realized that everyone out there is there to have a good time and who cares what other runners are thinking. They most likely are not even thinking about you. I don’t think about other runners or judge them, so why would I expect them to judge me?
5. 3 miles is not that far. The 5k course that I run most often is a lap around a lake that is a few miles north of Seattle. I used to think that 3 miles was so far! But it’s really not. It’s doable. It usually takes me about 45 minutes which is less than an episode of The Great British Baking Show.
6. You still need to train. Even though you’re only doing a 5k, you (meaning me) still need to train and practice if you want to run. I’ve known people that say “Oh I haven’t ran in months but it’s only 3 miles so I can run that.” And they do! And that’s fine for them. But that’s not me. I’ve never been a runner so I needed a little help and I definitely have to practice if I want to try any sort of jog/run.
7. Check the course map and make sure you know where the race starts at. I participated in one race that was called a trail run. I didn’t even think about what the course was, I just saw it was at a park so I thought it would be a run along the park paths. Nope. It was seriously a trail run – there were times where myself and the other runners had to run single file through this barely visible trail in the grass that was about 6 inches wide. I won’t be doing that one again. Another time I didn’t verify where the race began because it was at a place I’ve been to many times and I assumed it began where every other race began. Nope. The start line was in a completely different area, about a mile away. Good thing I got to the race early and had time to walk to the start line.
8. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run. Seriously, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even matter if you actually finish the race. All that matters is that you tried and you put yourself out there and you had fun. And if you do finish, well then you just might get a fun medal and bib to display on your wall.
9. It’s all about having fun. I tend to gravitate towards the fun runs that are themed and where everyone dresses up. These runs are the best because everyone is out there just having fun. Yes, I’m going outside and getting exercise and a t-shirt that I will probably never wear again and a medal. But it’s really all about hanging out with other people and having fun.

Q: Did I miss anything? Any suggestions for fun runs that I can do next year?