As I get ready for my second 5K, and I've had time
to muse over my first race, I realized that I really learned a lot.
Here are the important things I learned from my first race:
1. Always bring the
tire pump!
Racing wheelchairs and
specialty bicycles have these special air valves that, when unlocked,
allow the air to escape with only a slight push. Just before the
race, while I was inside the building warming up, my finger knocked
the valve and, since the cap had fallen off, all the air went out of
the tire. Guess what piece of equipment we never even thought to
bring along? You got it: the tire pump! Dad flew out the door,
across the parking lot, and raced to our house in his van. After
snatching up the tire pump, he sped back to the
park, called mom to let her know where he was, and then ran past the
playground and over to find me. (He had to use the parking lot on
the other side of the park because the race had already started!) Meanwhile, Mom and I had eased my chair down to the starting line,
and I had tried to make it at least part of the way to meet Dad. I
had to stop, though, about twenty feet past the starting line for
fear of ruining the tire since it was completely deflated. My
friend, Rachel, stood with her foot in front of my chair to keep it
from rolling and save my arms from having to hold the brake until Dad
returned. Then comes Dad, my knight in shining armor, carrying his
trusty sword, er, tire pump. In no time flat (pun intended) I was
off. To my friend, Rachel's, best estimate, I was about six minutes
behind the starting whistle. At the corner of Miles and Williams, I
caught up, and sped past the last of the pack! (Of course, it helped
that much of the first part of the race was downhill.)
 |
| Here's my knight and shining armor flying to find me:) |
2. Have a training
partner (or twelve).
I was a part of a
running group from the Jessamine County Public Library. We met each
Saturday to practice and to build up stamina for the 5K. Some of
these men and women had run before; and some, like me, were just
getting started. Although no others were in a wheelchair, it was
still nice to run in a group in order to have the accountability and
encouragement. We first met together in mid-September and trained
specifically for our local 5K (The Turkey Strut). It was great fun
to see all of them cross the finish line as well! We gathered for a
picture before the race began, and we were all still alive and
kicking when it was all over, and we took another photo op with our
many trophies.
Also, I had a friend
who practiced with me the week of the race and decided to run
herself. A second friend actually waited for me near the bridge on
the big day and ran the last half of the 5K without leaving my
side—even the huge hill near the end! Thanks friends and training
partners for all your encouragement. I hope I was just as
encouraging to you.
3. Make sure you bring
another mode of ambulation with you to the race.
We left the house
without my braces, crutches, or standard wheelchair. Never again! I
was left stuck in that racing chair until the very last trophy was
awarded and we were headed home. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my
electric teal wind machine, but it is long and cumbersome in
hallways and between tables and chairs. I definitely want to be a
bit more mobile once the race is complete.
4. Don't race until
you stretch!
This includes legs! I
warmed up my arms a bit as I tooled around the parking lot waiting
for the race to begin, but my legs didn't get a workout since I was
not in my braces all morning. I learned that my legs get sore from
being in one position so long. I also have learned much about
protecting my rotator cuff and whole shoulder area. I want to be
doing this for a long time, so I'll remember to warm up all those
muscle groups next time in order to insure no injuries.
5. I love this!!!!!
The wind in my hair is
like nothing I've ever felt. The joy of enduring and then finishing. . . Passing snails like nobody's business. . . The wind in my hair. . . The
hum of the wheels turning. Many say that it is the endorphines that keep you racing. I say it's the wind in your hair. . . Did I mention the wind in my hair? I
LOVE THIS!!!!
