Kevin Marshall's America
When I first started the journey to not be a lazy overweight hunk of crap, I kept saying that I was going to run a competitive 5K. Then things got in the way: I went too far down in weight, then I got busy with theatrical plays, then I was making leeway but got water on the knee, etcetera.
Then I found I was just making excuses for myself.
At the urging of my friend Courtney, I’ve decided to finally pull the trigger. On Sunday, September 12th, I’m running the 5K leg of The Dunkin Run.
This is a huge step for me. When I was in High School, I couldn’t even run a mile. I’d make it probably about a quarter of a mile before I needed to rest; breathing heavily and wheezing. It was to the point where I don’t recall even sweating heavily, as my poor cardio and lack of anything resembling lung capacity prevented me from even getting to that point.
It really took a change in the last year, when I found myself able to run a mile, then two, then three, then four uninterrupted and keep up a pretty decent pace. After a few years of exercise and a full two years after quitting smoking, I was able to run.
And it felt great.
Now I’m actually getting off the treadmill and onto the asphalt.
I suppose this is the part where I state my goal. Just doing it isn’t enough, nor is setting a time for myself. I suppose I could also say a top ten finish, which most people would laugh at. How could Kevin Marshall, a guy who didn’t start running until he was 27 years old and is running his first competitive race hope to compete against people who do this regularly their entire adult life?
The answer: Kevin Marshall is right out of his mind and puts a ton of pressure on himself to perform. Proof of his craziness comes in the fact that he’ll occasionally slip into the third person while writing a blog.
Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah. The Dunkin Run, September 12th. Check out the blog entry about the run itself on the Running Blog.
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27 Responses to My First 5K: The Dunkin Run, September 12th
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Good luck! Do they ironically pass out doughnuts at the finish line? You know, a little something to help the sugar level?
J-EM-P – I think they actually do have them after the rce.
Kevin, kudos to you! This race was my first 5K a year ago, and if I can do it at 41, you can do it at 27. You should be proud of yourself and I gotta tell ya, you’ll be hooked after this race – it won’t be your last.
At first I was gonna sign up….then I realized it was more about the run and less about donuts. So I just drive from D/D to D/D till I get winded.
So cool! YAY! I’ll see you there…you know, WAY behind you :)
Last year when Brueggers sponsored it, they gave out coupons for bagels, but had bananas and water for the race itself.
Good luck, Kevin!
Running is one of the few sports where a novice can compete in the same event as a world class athlete. No, won’t beat an elite runner, but if you look behind you at the finish line, you’ll see that you’ve beaten somebody. You could even reasonably expect to finish before half the people in the race.
Regarding treadmills: get off them. Running should be done outdoors, regardless of the weather
Congrats Kevin, I wish you all the success in this race – and just remember, everybody who crosses the finish line gets a T-shirt, so wear it with pride!
Running on a treadmill is so much easier than running outside. Outside you actually have to deal with uneven pavement, dogs, wind and all sorts of other fun stuff. I agree with Rob, running should always be done outdoors. =) And good luck at the race!
Awesome!!!! Races are SO much fun. But you may become addicted to the adrenaline rush! :D I was thinking about running the 10K that day…but then I signed up for the Warrior Dash the weekend after, so we shall see…hahaha. Running outside is a lot harder than the treadmill, but its also a lot less boring! I’m sure you’ll do great.
I definitely need to give you props for you endurance. I’m envious. If that were me running a 5k, I’d have to have a team of EMTs closely following me with an ambulance, and a trauma team on the ready.
Good luck Kevin. I’ve actually decided to do my first 5K next month as well. Two weeks later (Sept 26) is the Colonie Youth Center 5k at The Crossings. It’s a great way to end the summer.
I’m with Get Real (#10) on this. Me in a 5k run would be more like a .5k run, then a 4k crawl, and then .5k where people will have to just roll me across the finish line.
Congrats on taking the leap! Committing to a race and the pre-race worry of coming in last (which you won’t) is harder than actually running it. For most people, racing’s just about getting out there and having fun doing it, not about winning– I think more folks would sign up if they knew that.
I agree with Rob and Kacey: running outside is harder than the ‘mill and more fun in any condition. One of my favorite runs was a few days after DC’s double blizzard this past winter. Giant snow mounds, ice, mud puddles, downed trees– it was awesome! And the first time you’re out in awful weather and a hardcore runner passes and says hi, you’ll never be the same.
@10,12 If you are really interested in making it happen there are several training schedules that can get a non-runner to run a 5k in a pretty short time span. Just Google c25k. Running is one of the sports where you can improve really quickly. People underestimate their abilities. I know several people that I work with that went from never running more than a mile to running the Corporate Challenge in May (3.5 miles) to running a half marathon in October and all without a huge time commitment.
Good luck! I’m curious about why running should always be done outdoors though…??
Good luck! I think as others have said you will get hooked.
Dude, unless you’re one of half a dozen Kenyans your time dun’t really matter. Run hard but not so hard you puke afterwards. Enjoy it.
I will admit up front that I haven’t kept up on your blog and your unhealthy habits but this will be a great accomplishment for you. I started running a couple years ago myself (I’m 27 as well), did a few 5K’s and the Corporate Challenges and set a goal for myself in January to run the Utica Boilermaker 15K. I finished the Boilermaker in just over 90 minutes and was absolutely elated. And screw free donuts at the end of the DD 5k.. at the end of the Boilermaker is free Saranac beer.
In regards to running on pavement vs treadmill… get outside NOW so your knees are used to it so they don’t explode Sept 12th. Good luck!!
My grandfather often told me, “There is one secret to life–and one secret, only: Dare much!”
I suspect, Kevin, you have come to understand exactly what he meant.
Good luck, Kevin! And have a doughnut for me. You will have burned calories enough to splurge and you will have earned it.
Congratulations! That is great! I recently finished the C25k program, and I’ve been debating in my mind if I want to sign up for the 5k Dunkin Run. It will either be that, or the Susan G Komen in October. It will be my first 5k too, and I’m nervous just thinking about it! Best of luck!!
Awesome, Kevin! My first 5K was almost a year ago – the 2009 Turkey Trot! I could totally relate to what you wrote about not even getting to the point of sweating during the dreaded High School Semi-Annual Gym Class 1 MILE RUN. I only sweat now thinking of the torture it was.
But now I like running 5Ks! After the Turkey Trot, I definitely got a bug for it. This sounds like a great first race – the September weather will be beautiful. And don’t worry about others, compete against yourself for a finish that you are proud of. Simply finishing is a great accomplistment. Good luck, you’re going to love it!
Thanks everyone for the advice and kind words! And glad to read that I am (or might be) running alongside some of you this September.
You’re gonna do us all proud, Kevin. No doubt in my mind.
So happy for you to be where you are!
Yay Kevin! I’m glad you’re doing this. I agree– if you haven’t run outside yet, definitely do so before your first race. Treadmill running (which I am often stuck with having 3 kids at home) is a different beast from road running.
Don’t worry, I’ll make you a John Mayer playlist to get you through it.
:D
Good for you. I believe you that you may finish in the top tier. I’ve been running 25-50 miles a week, every week for the past few years. It drives me crazy when casual runners basically sprint 5ks and place near the top.