Professor Omaha 10K

My story continued with signing up for the Omaha Marathon/Half Marathon/10K. I signed up for the 10K thinking that by signing up for a race event, I would then complete the necessary training to finish. I searched and found a pretty good beginner 10K training plan or “Couch-to-10K” plan that would get me ready for race day. For the most part I stuck with the plan only missing a few days.

Training for the 10K presented me with a crash course in Running 101. The first lesson learned revolved around the right pair of shoes. Little did I know my worn out Nike Air Max ’87 remakes, nor my Rasta-colored New Balance 676s would cut it when it came to real running. (Apparently running shoe technology advanced since 1987) It was only after the 10K and continued training that I took note of my aching shins, knees, and feet after my runs. My body definitely took the brunt of the poor decision not to invest in running shoes.

I showed up to the 10K in a blue cotton cutoff t-shirt, maroon Temple Owl basketball shorts, and my Rasta-colored olive/gold New Balance 676s (which the day of, determined would be more comfortable than the Nike Air Max ’87). My second lesson in Running 101 came shortly after the starting gun sounded: Pace. I ran the first couple miles just about as fast as anyone, only to slow down on a hill within the first mile and from there was content to trudge the rest of the way. If they had kept mile splits for the 10K that day, my best guess would be I ran a 5:30 first mile. Most of what I remember from that day is my friend standing 100 yards from the finish line encouraging me to dig deep and finish strong. He had finished well before me and I remember muttering, “How can I dig deep, jerk? My legs are going to fall off.” My pace didn’t budge an inch and I crossed the finish line in 50:56.

The race day events, race, and being around real runners really lit the fire in me. As I watched other 10K participants and half-marathon finishers cross the finish line I judged a lot of books by their cover and thought “If they can do it, why couldn’t I?”

Tip #1: If you’re just getting into running and looking for some additional motivation, sign up for a race! Cast aside your fears that you’ll be the only rookie, you’ll look funny, you dislike when people watch you run, etc. Trust me when I say you’re not the only one and participating in a race and being around real runners will allow you to “look off another student’s paper” in the course of Running 101.