A Cup of Catherine

What I Learned Running My Most Recent 5K

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I mentioned it on Monday, but this past weekend I ran (and walked…there was a lot of walking) a 5K. This was the 3rd annual 5K on the Runway right by where I work, so I was excited that I finally was able to participate (the first year, my doctor hadn’t released me from my postpartum recovery period, and last year, we were out of town).

While it was fun (somewhat), it was hard. I wasn’t feeling my best since I’m just now recovering from a cold or sinus infection, and I haven’t been running at all in close to a year. Plus it was close to 1983746 degrees outside (give or take), so the heat took a lot out of me.

I finished with a beet red face and was still nursing some sore calf muscles on Tuesday. Needless to say, this race taught me a few things.

lessons-learned-5k

What I Learned Running My Most Recent 5K

I don’t actually love running.

Maybe I used to? I don’t know, but for a few years now, I’ve tried to convince myself that I enjoy running. But here’s the thing: I rarely run. I run races, otherwise I’m in the gym lifting, taking Body Pump, or doing barre. I am not a cardio junkie—never have been (that’s probably why our elliptical serves as a towel rack instead of an exercise machine). And I’ve never really learned how to pace myself, pronate properly, and regulate my breathing. I’d much rather take a brisk walk. (By the way, this is in no way a criticism of avid runners. In fact, I am in awe of you guys!)

I still have a problem with doing things for other people.

I first got into running because I craved a new fitness outlet and loved the idea that anybody can do it, but somewhere along the journey I lost that. Growing up a gymnast, I was always “the athlete.” Being fit was part of my identity, and when I lost that identity, I desperately tried to get it back. I wanted others to perceive me as this natural athlete who could run with the “real” runners who’d been doing it for years.

It’s ok that I am not good at everything.

Yes, this should be obvious, but I need to tell myself again: I am not good at everything. Could I be a good runner if I devoted hours of practice toward it? Perhaps. Or perhaps I’ll always struggle to run the entire length of a 5K or never again reach my fastest time of 31-something minutes. That’s ok! I can cheer on my devoted runner friends and I can simply enjoy moving my body.

I don’t plan to hang up my running shoes forever.

When I crossed the finish line and panted my way to Mark and Bazooka, I told them “I’m never doing this again.” Well, call me crazy, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I still want to train and run a proper race. (Yes, I realize I’m contradicting myself in #1.) The few races I’ve run with friends, I’ve enjoyed them. It’s probably because we pace ourselves in a more sustainable way, get to catch up and chat with one another, and share in the “victory” of finishing. So, if/when I do run another race, it will be with a friend and after some proper training.

Lessons learned from my last #5K… #sweatpink #runchat Share on X

[linking up for thinking out loud]

So tell me…

  • Do you enjoy running?
  • Have you ever run a race (or completed some other fitness endeavor) for the wrong reasons?

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. I think these are some awesome lessons Catherine. I don’t really love running either. Sometimes I crave a good run, but I prefer other workouts instead typically. When I just run for fun though I enjoy it so much more!

      • I agree that running can be so much more enjoyable when you take the competition out of it. But I’d still rather just quickly walk 😉

    2. I do kinda enjoy running. I have to force myself out of the door most of the time. It’s really funny but one of my flatmates used to do absolutely no exercise at all and then he signed up to run 12km to raise money for charity so he started training everyday. And I was fine with it until he could run further than me and now I’m all annoyed because running was MY thing. haha I sound like a little kid get fussy over someone stealing their toy.

      • Haha, that sounds like something I would do (get annoyed when the non-runner friend took over MY thing).
        That’s great you enjoy running, though. Hope you continue to have that outlet!

    3. So… I like running; I’m not as hard core as I used to be, but I think that’s because I did races because I ‘had to be fit’ not as much because I wanted to. Now I really want to run, and running is more fun than it used to be. When I just run without a watch, I’m the most happy and fulfilled.

      • That’s so awesome that you now can enjoy running for what it is. I think we all need that activity that is about fun instead of competition.

    4. Well you know how I feel about running, but I agree–you need to be running and racing for the right reasons (that is a lot of r’s). I don’t race much because I would rather just run (also I am cheap). I feel a bit about lifting the way that you do about running–something that I liked at some point, but now? Not my jam.