The First 5k
October 3rd, 2026. This was the date of my first 5k for the Joyful Miles journey. I learned a lot that day.
Before I get into the actual day, I would like to take a moment to be very transparent with all of you. I did not do the training that I should have done to prepare for this. Yes, I spent the last 8 months walking more than I have in my entire life. But at one time, with no stopping, I was walking about a mile and a half at most. I never pushed myself to go further than that. I walked well over 3 miles in New York and Cedar Point, but they were not all at once and there were breaks in between. So going into this 5k, I was not prepared at all and I honestly told myself that it wouldn't be that hard. I was so wrong.
Rhiannon and I left the house at 6:30 to drive down to metro Detroit for the race. It was beautiful weather, bright sunny skies and around 60 degrees. When we got there, we went to the registration table and picked up our shirts, bags, and bibs. I was number 74 and she was 75. We had several people who were coming to walk with us, so we met up with all of them. We did some stretching before the race and then around 9am, they led us to the starting line. I was feeling pretty confident. I was ready!
Starting off, I was doing great. About a mile in I was really starting to feel it. When we would walk at home preparing for this, we walked on a path by the river that was smooth and had no hills. That was mistake number one. The path for the 5k was through a residential area and the roads were not smooth and there were so many little hills. We quickly fell to the back of the group.
There was a car behind us the whole way. I think they were there in case someone got hurt or was unable to finish the race. She was very patient with us but I was so self conscious the entire time. As we were coming up on the 2 mile mark, we had to climb the steepest hill. I'm not going to lie...I wanted to tap out right then and there. But Dani and Rhiannon told me to slow down and take it one step at a time. Once we made it to the top of the hill, we hit 2 miles and I got my second wind. I could do this. The course had monitors placed throughout and the ones who were on the back half of the course were the most cheerful and encouraging! The ones on the front half were encouraging, it was just that the ones on the back half had pompoms and bells and they were yelling for us. One group even had a speaker with music playing. It was great!
As we came around the final corner, I heard my entire group of friends that came (some walked and some didn't). They were screaming for me, Rhiannon, and Dani. I started to tear up. I was so so close to finishing. As I got closer to them, my friend's 2 year old son ran over to me for me to pick him up so I did. I walked across the finish line holding him at 1 hour and 15 minutes.
There were so many emotions surrounding me finishing this race. I was embarrassed that we came in last (we later learned that was not the case, there were people that were behind the car). I was disappointed in myself for not training as much as I should have and just thinking that it was going to be a walk in the park. But then I was so proud of myself. I completed my first 5k. I didn't give up, even if I wanted to several times in that 3.1 miles. All of my friends that came out were so supportive and proud. Rhiannon and Dani stayed with me the whole time. If I slowed down, so did they. If I talked about tapping out, they encouraged me to keep going. When I was down on myself for being last, they told me that it didn't matter. They reminded me that when I started this journey, I couldn't even walk half a mile before I tapped out. None of my friends cared that I came in at an hour and 15 minutes. They just cared that I finished the race.
After the race, some of the group went out for brunch at Ihop! I slammed pancakes and eggs. Rhiannon and I stayed in Detroit most of the day as we had a party to attend that afternoon. We got home around 6:30 that night and were in bed at 10 (which if you know us, never happens).
As I am writing this at 7:30 the morning after the race...I feel good. I did it! My body is sore. My legs don't hurt as bad as they did last night, but I definitely know I did a 5k. I have a blister bigger than my small toe on one of my feet. One thing that is shocking me this morning is how bad my upper body hurts. It didn't hurt at all yesterday, but my shoulders and upper back hurt with every stretch, deep breath, or turn of my head. According to Google, this means I need to work on my posture while walking (one thing at a time Google).
I am so glad that I did this race. I am glad that the first one is under my belt. I have learned what to do and what not to do. It gives me a starting point for this journey. As I was told yesterday, I am only competing with myself. I only need to do better than my previous time. This race kicked my ass, but I did it. I will continue to do it...and in 5 years and 27 days I will compete in the NYC Marathon!
Thank you all for being a part of this journey whether that is in spirit, reading this blog, or showing up in person...each and every one of you are so important to me and I feel your love and your support. So thank you! I am so glad you are here!
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