10KM Run On Short Notice

Today I took part in a 10 km run. It is nothing special except that I have not done it in a while. The weeks before the event, I was looking for information about the race. None was found. So, I thought they have no 10, 5 km run or walk planned. Last night, I came across the schedule for the entire weekend. The Dogwood Festival was in full effect. The run was on. I decided to do it - without preparation. It might as well have been a marathon.
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Lesson learned:
It is always a great idea to prepare
Know the route very well
Practice on the route as much as possible
Practice during the time of the day when the event will take place
Hydrate yourself. Drink plenty of water before and after the race
For extra boost, train with a team of dedicated runners
Enlist your friends, spouse, family’s support for training and the competition
Once you start, keep on going (run, jog, walk) never stop.

Needless to say, my feet felt like rubber towards the end of the event, but I completed it. It was fun… not considering the pain of running uphill at various points.
Someone once mentioned that children are great models for running. They run happily. No competition, no pressure, no cool looking gear in their minds. Taking those points to heart, I took time to admire the blooming flowers and the beautiful houses along the route. The neighborhood was very close to town, yet secluded.
On my way back, there was a family cheering us on, so I picked a twig with branches and handed it to one of the little kids. It was as if some Olympian giving a bystander his wreath. It made her day - it kept me going.
There was some guy who kept stopping and starting. I encouraged him to keep it up. At that time he was walking. A few minutes later he caught up with me, and finished long before I did. There was a method to his madness.
At the finish line, I did a 360 degree jump and fell. It was fun. I did not care who was watching. It is over. Deep down inside, my faith was bolstered. I know that I can accomplish anything, even a marathon, if I decide to go for it.
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