This past Father’s Day, I completed my first 5k! Now, I’ve actually walked a couple 5ks in the past, but I consider this my first 5k because I now consider myself a runner. I’m about to start training for a half marathon (like full-on training), and I went into the 5k with the mindset of it being my first of many.
It was the Culver City 5k, and it was awesome! A friend of mine, Jen from Finding My Inner Bombshell, was also doing the race. We met through various Facebook groups and realized we live right by each other, but hadn’t met yet! This race was all about having fun and getting in the spirit of races, so I decided to walk the course with Jen. I am so glad I did! It took us about an hour to complete the course, but we had an entire hour to talk and get to know each other (we’re both bloggers, babysitters, and dogsitters), and I didn’t overexert myself, which was definitely important to me.
This is Jen and me after completing the race:
My friend Cameron came with me for the first part of it. He was going to run the race with me, but wasn’t feeling well. It was super awesome that he still came with me to register, hang out, and take pictures! So Cameron, thank you. Your support is always very much appreciated!
As Jen and I were walking to the finish line, everyone cheered. Granted, we were finishing at the same time as the 10k runners, so it was probably for them, but we smiled anyway! I’ve read a lot of stories recently about people finishing their race, then leaving and not cheering everyone else on. I’m so glad that was not my experience at the Culver City Run! It was so awesome.
Then I got a banana, Clif bar, water, and a MEDAL!! My very first race medal ever! It is so beautiful, and I now understand why people say they’re addicted to race bling. Because I already want more!
This is me after completing the race. I was so happy! Rocking my Swirl Gear shirt, Katie K Active capris, and #sweatpink shoelaces!
I also received a super soft tee shirt with the race name and the sponsors:
Needless to say, my first race experience was AWESOME! It got me very excited about my race in August in San Diego, and then my two half marathons coming up in the next six months! I am running the San Francisco Nike Women’s Half on Oct. 19, and then the Zion Half on March 14 of next year. I never thought I would be a runner, but I am so excited to push myself beyond my perceived limits and accomplish something I’ve never even thought about!
The first photo is during the race; it was a beautiful day! The second photo is at the finish line. So many supporters, I love it!!
Oh, and quick, funny story…
I completed the 5k no problem, but then I got home and stepped down the steps wrong…
Womp womp. 🙁 Light sprain. This is my makeshift ice pack my boyfriend made me haha. He’s such a doll. It’ll heal fine, but it’s swollen, so I’m nervous about beginning my 12 week training for my half in October.
Any suggestions/recommendations from runners who’ve experienced injuries? (I feel like that’s most runners LOL)
Despite the sprain, it was an awesome day, awesome experience, and I am very excited for the future!
lyndsinreallife
Bling is definitely addictive. I’m a running coach and I’ll only do races that get me a medal! Haha
Your ankle should be fine for your training. Just be nice to it for a week or so, ice it after exercise and draw the alphabet while you’re lounging.
Congrats on finishing your first 5 as a runner 🙂
Haha that’s how I feel, that I’ll want to do ones that get me medals LOL. Thank you!! It was awesome. And thanks for the tips! I appreciate it 🙂
You run a race injury free and then can’t manage the stairs LOL classic! Seriously, I hope it’s nothing serious and not too painful.
Running a race always makes me excited for the next! Welcome to the world of addicted to running 🙂
Haha I know, I am so silly! I don’t think it’s anything serious though so that’s good 🙂
Thank you! It’s a pretty awesome world 🙂 Haha
Ah we told you it was addictive!! The smile on your face is priceless. When you have a bad run (and we all do) remember that pic and how you felt that day. My advice would be make sure you are healed completely before taking on the half training. Looking forward to reading about your progress!
Thank you Deborah!! It is SO addictive hahah. The feeling afterward was amazing, and that’s a great point, to always remember that. Thanks for the advice!! 🙂
Congrats, Lyndsay! Running is the best addiction ever and you will LOVE it. I love the Nike Women’s Half (I’ve done it twice) and the bling is the very best part 🙂
Thank you Gillian!! I’m very excited 🙂 I’ve heard amazing things!
Congratulations on completing the 5k! Medals are a lot of fun and make you feel so accomplished.
My advice on injury: Ice if necessary (very important, especially for your injury), don’t be afraid to rest and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!
I’m coming off an IT band injury and as much as I wanted to run, the only thing that helped was resting and stretching. At one point a little over a month ago, I couldn’t even do 2 miles without knee pain and after taking two weeks off and getting back into it, I’ve been able to do 5- and 6-mile runs pain-free!
Also, a few years ago, three days before my first half marathon ever, I went on a short run (1 mile). During that one run, I rolled my ankle and strained my quad. I went and saw a sports doctor and he gave me stretching exercises to do and specific instructions before my race. It helped but I also made a promise to myself that if I was in too much pain, I wouldn’t run it (which is what I did with my most recent half when I had IT band issues). So definitely listen to your body!
Lastly, if you’re still in a ton of pain, I’d encourage you to do some water exercise/running in the meantime to keep your fitness/cardio up without putting stress on your ankle. Just an idea!
Thank you Gloria!! Great idea with the water exercises. I’m not in pain unless I try running, but even then, it’s not bad.. but it’s not great either haha. I will definitely listen to my body and see how it goes. I’ll be on my feet all day today at the SD Boat Show (yay!) so we’ll see how it is then. Thank you!! <3
Great job on finishing! Not so great on the steps/stairs. LOL. As a developing runner, here’s an injury to be aware of. All too common. http://runwritedig.com/2013/04/26/sidelined-by-runners-knee-patellofemoral-pain/
Thank you!! I’ll check it out 🙂
You’ve joined the club, congrats! I’m totally addicted to race bling…I was really disappointed I didn’t get a medal for my last one but my team found a wholesale place and made medals lol. Now you’re gonna have to find a place to start hanging yours 🙂
Haha that is awesome that your team made their own!! I love that idea. And YES, that’s my next step, where to hang them!! 🙂 haha
Congrats! Gotta love the blink – must be fun to be medal designer.
Thank you! Oh gosh yes, that would be an awesome job haha.
I am so excited to hear about your training for your half marathons. We’ll have to go for a run while you are in Ohio, too! 🙂
Aw thank you Jess! Yes, that would be awesome! I need to start reallyyyy training while I am there haha because it’s 12 weeks out. I can’t wait to hang out with you!
Bling is addicting! Happy SITS Day 🙂
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Totally!! Haha. Thank you so much! & thanks for stopping by! xo
Ah, happy SITS!!
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Thank you Elizabeth!!
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Hi! Coming over from SITS. I love how you make the running sound so fun. I’m hoping to discover my own bling addiction soon-ish. Lol. Thanks.
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Haha thank you!! Best of luck with it! 🙂
Fun to read about your “bling addiction”. I do not love running. My “bling addiction” comes more in the form of collecting stamps on my passport. LOL Funny (but not funny) that you manage a run, but then sprain your ankle. What a bummer. Stopping by from SITS to say hello. Hope you’re enjoying your day!
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I would LOVE to travel the world! Thats so awesome. I would much rather do that. Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
I definitely run for the bling of it! I have a whole bag of medals sitting in my desk that i have no clue what to do with. They make me happy knowing that they are there 🙂
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Haha thats awesome! Ive seen a few people hang theirs on the wall, but in a cute way. Like a coat hanger type thing that says race or run. Im not sure what to do with mine either! Lol 🙂