I’M A RUNNER??!!

I’ll admit it.  It was peer pressure.  Actually, it was co-worker pressure.  Fellow reporter Julie Wolfe sent out an email inviting us to take part in a Zooma 5k.  I was looking for a boost in my workout routine (I walked a treadmill or went to spin classes a couple times a week) so I agreed.  Then I realized the last time I had run for any significant length of time was back in college (think late 80s). 

Committed, I remembered a friend had trained for a beginners’ race and had a training guide.  It was straight forward—I started by walking three minutes then running for one. Each week I was running more and walking less.  I did this four days a week for several months. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was do-able.  The hardest part was the first month…literally, after every session something different hurt—an ankle, a knee, a hip, my shins—but I just kept walking and running.  To my amazement soon  the pains ceased, I was no longer gasping for air and  I was soon running (albeit slowly) for 15 minutes straight, then 20 and eventually 30 and 40.  I was hoping to do that first 5k in 45 minutes.

My first 5k (approx 31/2 months after beginning training) It was a great experience—great weather, no aches and pains (and thanks to my panic of needing to use a port-a-pottie at the finish line)—I finished in 38 minutes.  I was elated.  For the first time in a long time I set a goal for myself, just myself, and did what it took to reach it.  What seemed impossible and downright laughable (that at my age I could pick up running) is now my preferred exercise!  I try to run 30 minutes a day three times a week and on the fourth day (and sometimes 5!) I allow a lot of time and just go until I can’t go any farther.  I’m up to 4.3 miles and now looking forward to tackling 5 miles.  I forgot how much I love being outside with so much to look at  and the sheer feeling of getting away from it all—nothing beats stress like a good run. 

Duffie Dixon, 11 Alive News Reporter

The Southeast Brain Tumor Foundation’s Race for Research is a cause that hits close to home for our 11Alive family.   So, when Meteorologist Chis Holcomb and Anchor Ted Hall sent out an e-mail asking the 11Alive crew to participate in Saturday’s 5K, it was an obvious choice for my next race.

Atlantic Station has quickly become a go-to place for new in-town races (or older races looking for a new location).  Just remember to bring money for parking.  I forgot my wallet, so I ran straight from the finish line to my car.  I drove it out of the parking deck, and then made a U-turn right back in.  That way, I got the 2-hour free parking twice.  

COURSE:  5K (3.1 miles) around Atlantic Station.  Because the start line is on low ground, the first mile is mostly uphill.  From there, it is a series of short hills.  Very little of this course is flat, so it’s a little harder than I anticipated.   I ended up chasing Fred Kalil for the first two miles.   His red shirt was easy to spot and continued to mock me until I finally passed him in the final mile.  There was also a 2K for walkers and strollers.  Most 5K’s do draw a lot of walkers, but it takes a while to finish 3.1 miles at a stroll, so I thought the 2K was a great idea.  There is a tough spot where the 5K runners jog across the 2K walker route, and it gets a little dicey.  The walkers were good sports, though, and tried to stay out of the way and cheered the runners as they cut through.

FOOD:  When in doubt, stick with the basics.  The bagels were fresh; the bananas were not brown; and the PowerAde and water were cold.  There was plenty to go around, so two thumbs up.

T-SHIRT: bright blue cotton T-shirt with a SBTF logo and lots of sponsors on the back.  As a runner, I always prefer technical running T’s, but I know these are too pricey for most small races.  I generally donate all my running T-shirts to the local homeless shelter or turn them into cleaning rags.  This one is nice enough, I might wear it. . . just not running.

CROWD: while waiting in line at the porta potties, the man next to me said he ran in the SBTF race 5 years ago with just a few hundred people.  I would estimate Saturday’s crowd at well over 1,000.  We had a great showing of 11Alive folks, so that was a lot of fun (I’m taking the picture, so I’m not in it).

UP NEXT: Still looking for some August road races.  Any ideas? E-mail me at jwolfe@wxia.gannett.com.