Less than a year ago, I decided to start running. I was already fairly active and in relatively good shape, but none the less middle-age spread was gaining the upper hand. For several years I tried to keep it in check by working the exercise trail at a nearby county park, and roller-blading six miles a couple times a week. But I wasn't giving my body enough of an aerobic workout to drop any weight. So, when a friend 13 years my senior, who hadn't run since high school, told of his decision to start running again and set a goal to train to run a marathon within six months, my competitive side came out, and it inspired me...if not to run a marathon, to at least start training for a 5K run. I thought, if a 57 year old can do it, why not me? I was further encouraged by a friend who said she'd lost 30 lbs. in less than a year by jogging two miles a couple times a week. That was all I needed to hear to get me started.
After several weeks of jogging 1-2 miles a few times a week, I began to feel a noticeable improvement in my overall outlook and mood. Within a few months I'd shed 15 pounds and gone down two sizes in clothes. I could get back into outfits I hadn't worn in five years! My first 5K was the Sister Run at Wickham Park Thanksgiving weekend. My goal was to finish, which I did. I was thrilled! Buoyed by success, I joined the Space Coast Runner's Club, and set a new goal - a 10K run.
I lived in Key West for 10 years before moving to Melbourne, and was impressed and awed by those who had participated in the annual Seven Mile Bridge Run (the longest of the 42 bridges connecting the islands of the Florida Keys). Running across it was light years beyond the realm of possibility for me - or so I thought. However, with a 5K under my belt, it didn't seem impossible anymore. I decided to enter the 20th annual race scheduled for April 21st. As it turned out, getting into the run was a challenge in itself.
The Marathon Runner's Club accepts requests for applications year round. Applications are sent to runners in late February/early March. Each year, about 25,000 people submit applications, but the run is limited to the first 1,500 applicants. It's big news in the Keys the day applications are mailed out. Friends down there called to give me a heads up the day they went out. I waited anxiously. The day it arrived, I filled it out immediately, and returned it by overnight delivery. Two weeks later, I received a postcard with the message: "HOORAY!!! You're In The Seven Mile Bridge Run!"
The literature on the run stated that "the race starts at 7:30 a.m., and if you're not at the finish line on the south end of the bridge by 8:40a.m., a bus picks you up in order to clear the bridge for reopening at 9:00a.m." I'd done a few five and six mile runs over the winter, but not averaging 10 minute miles. I suddenly thought - OHMYGAWD -what have I got myself into?! Race day drew closer, and my work schedule allowed for only a few more attempts at longer runs. I was able to do one very enjoyable six mile training run with the friend who inspired me on the Pinellas Trail from Belleair to Dunedin; but as the days grew warmer and more humid, I could only maintain my pace, with no real improvement in my time.
The night before the race I was excited and anxious. I hardly slept. I tossed, turned, and woke up throughout the night, fearing that I'd overslept and missed the race. When I headed out for the north end of the bridge at 6:30 a.m., I was really dragging! But after I parked my car and joined the other runners heading toward the starting point, my exhaustion disappeared. It was replaced with a heady adrenaline rush. For the first time in my life, as I looked at all the runners surrounding me, this agoraphobic was thrilled to be in the middle of a crowd of fifteen hundred smiling, chatty, happy people. Helicopters with news crews and cameras hovered overhead as we waved and cheered, excitedly waiting for the race to start. I tuned my little pocket radio to US1 Radio, a co-sponsor of the race. They played a rockin' selection of songs throughout the event to keep everyone pumped. They started off with the theme song from "Rocky"...followed by "Chariots of Fire" (you get the idea!). I noticed several runners right in front of me whose tank-tops sported "No Bus For Us!" on the back, and thought - COOL!! I stuck close to them for as long as I could, pushing myself and going a bit faster than my normal pace. The view from the bridge was spectacular - an endless panorama of gorgeous aquamarine waters.
I was high from the beauty of it all...until I got to the beginning of a small "hill" near the halfway point. To my dismay, I started to wimp out...and had to walk up the hill for about a minute. At the top of the hump I resumed a good pace while passing a lively Reggae band playing a Bob Marley tune. On the downhill side of the hump, I was able to cool off as I ran through a 'shower', thanks to a large fire dept. snorkel suspended above the width of the bridge, compliments of the Marathon Fire Dept. At the foot of the hill, I could see the crowd at the end of the bridge...and thought "I might make it!" But at about mile marker 5, I started running out of gas again. I had to slow down my pace, and even walked for about 2 minutes, looking over my shoulder for signs of the dreaded bus. Within a mile of the finish line, and no bus in sight, I started laughing out loud - "I just might beat that bus!" And to my amazement, I did!! My "official" time was 1:12:59, but at the starting point, I was positioned toward the back of the crowd of runners, and it took me about 45 seconds before my feet even hit the bridge - so by my watch, my time was 1:12:12.
Finishing that run gave my confidence such a tremendous boost. I look forward to many more seven mile bridge, 10K, and longer runs in my future ...with a new goal of improving my speed and endurance with each run.