I ran my first 10k race. Here’s how it went.

Just over a week ago I completed my first 10k. And as I sit and reflect on the experience, I've been thinking about what could have gone better, what went great, the atmosphere and my running future.

The vibes were incredible. Everyone was in a good mood, friendly, and ready to roll. People I didn't know cheered me on. It was a good race to start off with, with lots of beginners and a mostly flat course.

I planned well up until the race. Combining easy runs, distance runs, and tempo training, I made sure I could continuously run farther than the 10k distance. Physically, that wasn't 100% necessary. Mentally, it was the right move, because logically I could tell myself during the race "you've done MORE than this before, you can do this, you can keep going." And I did!

During the race, I ran into two small hiccups. One was that I lost all focus on my running form as the race adrenaline hit me, which made me overstride, which made my right foot go numb. Two, my fanny pack kept riding up onto my stomach and it was uncomfortable to run with, but I had opted for it over my vest because I thought it would be simpler. Next time I will just use my vest! Newbie things.

Overall, I'm happy to say I met my goal of completing the race in under 1 hour, 10 minutes, around the 1 hour 8 minute mark. Truthfully, I think the temporary numbness in my foot psyched me out, and without that I would have had a slightly (but not insanely) better time. For my next 10k I would like to finish in under an hour.

But before that happens, my primary goal is to increase my distance to a half marathon. And while I haven't registered for a race yet, I fully intend to soon! I plan to take 16 weeks to prep for the half marathon race and continue weightlifting as well. I will also sign up for another New Years 10k because I enjoyed the first one so much!

As I prep for the half marathon training plans, the only challenging component for me is the number of days I plan to run in a week. Right now I do three days of weightlifting, one day of both weightlifting and running, and two days of just running. This split has worked well for me so far but I do think I should run one more day per week, which will prove hard with my 9-5, but not impossible.

In addition to these plans I cannot help but think how powerlifting and running are actually similar in many ways. With both, you work towards PRs and comps/races. You hone in on form, practice your craft, and stay consistent to see progress. For me, the only difference is that lifting gives me more instant gratification while running gives me long-term rewards. But that's just me!

Here are some of my lessons learned from this race and my running journey so far:

• Eat! When I started running I wasn't eating nearly enough, and it hurt my performance initially.

• Invest in a good pair of running shoes and a belt or vest for carrying things like your phone. Your feet and future self will thank you later.

• Start at a snails pace. If that means you walk more than run on said runs, do so. You will build up endurance over time.

• Find a good lotion or ointment to prevent chafing. Sensitive skin deodorant can work well too.

• After your races, make time for recovery. Reflect (as I'm doing now) on how things went, focus on taking care of mobility and any lingering aches/pains.

• Reward yourself with a good post-race meal. Yes, it's mandatory.

In addition, your nutrition WILL have an impact on your performance. Trust me on this one. Do right by your body by giving it the proper nutrients and macros it needs to thrive on race day.

Happy running!