Last fall (pre-blog), my aunt and uncle convinced me to run a 5K with them. I will be forever grateful. On October 4, 2009, I ran the Shawn Nassaney Memorial 5K with my aunt, uncle, and cousin Melissa.
I remember packing a big bag of snack bars, water, and fruit. I knew runners needed fuel. I also invited my entire family. Runners needed fans, too!
Too bad none of it really mattered once the race started. I was sick with anixety. I cramped up quickly and didn’t think I would finish. Luckily, the only thing I needed that day was right by my side.
For 3.1 hilly miles of muddy cross country trail, my Aunt Carol stuck with me. She encouraged me. She cheered me on. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Together, we crossed the finish line. It was momentous. I cried! I was aching, tired, and proud.
And I was hooked! Next week, nearly one year later, I will run my first marathon. Running a marathon is big business, but it does not take anything away from the 5K I ran that day…or the 5K I ran today!
Yep. I ran a 5K today. The 2010 Shawn Nassaney Memorial 5K was held at Bryant University. My aunt and uncle were running and I wanted to be there with them once again.
My aunt and I made a plan to stick together. This was our race. The jitters of 2009 were gone. It was all excitement this afternoon!
We stretched…and talked.
We lined up…and talked.
The crowd thickened…and we talked!
We ran…
and we talked!
The course was just as challenging as I remembered. I’m not used to running on trails in the woods. I took care, watched my step, and enjoyed the New England fall – colorful trees and crunching leaves. It felt so good to return to this course with my aunt. My smile grew a little wider with every step. My love remains!
28 minutes of running and another family memories for the books! I plan keep this tradition alive for years to come. It was a small time race with big time heart. I had a blast!
And now I shall return to the training schedule…
Have you run in any races? Share your first race experience!
Congrats! What a great story. And how wonderful that your aunt encouraged you and stuck by you last year. I’m sure she is so proud or you now.
My first race was a 10k. The highlight was passing my now husband at mi 5. To this day it’s the only time I’ve beaten him
great job on the race! My first race was an 8k with my husband. I had no clue what i was getting into! Started out way to fast and had to walk several times, but, I finished. Now I am training for my first full!
Mi first race was a 10k. It took place in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, the place where my father grew up, where my grandads had a bakery that was my playground as a kid… so it was quite emotional in many ways. Love it. It was 2 years and 3 months ago and I haven’ t stopped running since then.
It’s fun to revisit this with you. Can’t wait to read all about your upcoming marathon!
My first race was pretty awful — I ran a 1/2 marathon with my dad. I had barely trained (longest run I did was 5 miles?!) At first I ran off, thinking I was ok and then around mile 7 I was dead. I walked a lot during that race but I did finish. The next year I actually trained and did much better.
<3 this! Can't believe you started just last year. WOW. I ran my first 10K Labor Day 2009, so it's crazy to think how much I am hooked as well.
Counting down race week for you!!
Yay!
What a cool race! I’ve never run a race on a trail before. That’s great that you were able to run it with your aunt again. Good luck during your last leg of training!!!
I love when things come full circle like that. Its great to revisit those races that mean a lot to us and that remind us how far we’ve come. And next year you can do the same with the marathon
Congratulations again, Becky! I love that you re-ran your first 5K. What an awesome tradition to keep alive!
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