Waiting Casually

Ran the Dexter-Ann Arbor 5k this morning. This is the first time I’ve done an organized run thing and only the second time I’ve run outside since I started running on the treadmill a few months ago. This might not seem like a big deal, but being the introvert I am, this challenged me in a number of ways.

First, I’m a homebody, so just leaving the house requires more consideration from me than it does normal folks.

Second, I don’t like large crowds of people. Did I mention that nearly 2,000 people were running the 5k? Oh, and 2,500 signed up for the half-marathon. There was a 10k too. Add another 2,000. Needless to say the registration area was a bit chaotic.

Third, I don’t like running in public. It’s a personality quirk, but I can’t help feeling like everyone is watching me and I get really self-conscious. I know I’m not alone in this, but I’ll share an anecdote that demonstrates what it’s like.

At work, the management team participated in a DiSC assessment (think Myers-Briggs only a bit fluffier) as part of the management curriculum and for an illustrative exercise, the proctor asked the different personality groups how they would go about playing a round of golf at a golf course.

The ‘D’s’ responded that they would potentially hire a pro first, but only so they could head out and try to beat the other golfers in their foursome.

The ‘I’s’ said they’d just head for the course and try to make some aquaintances in the process.

The ‘S’s’ answered that they would only want to go with their current friends and would just want to have fun.

When it came to my group, the ‘C’s’ to respond, our group was a bit reluctant. Maybe reluctant isn’t the best word though. More likely, we looked like we all had a bad taste in our mouth. This didn’t sound fun at all for us. I hate those silences though so I took a stab.

“Well, I think first I’d buy a set of clubs. Not the nicest, but in the upper half of the range. Of course, I’d have to research the clubs first to determine which would be the best based on that criteria. Then I’d probably buy a DVD or watch some other instructional videos on the web. Once I felt I could head out without feeling too silly, then I’d hire a golf pro who could help me along. Only once I felt like I was a respectable golfer would I actually head to the course to golf.”

The others in my group were nodding enthusiastically the whole time as if what I was saying was an extreme comfort to them. The rest of the room looked at us like we were crazy.

Welcome to our world, bitches. It’s like this for us all. The. Time. We don’t like to make rushed decisions and we don’t like looking foolish unless it’s on purpose.

Back to the run.

I ran faster than I normally do, but not faster than I’ve ever gone before or anything. There were lots of hills and I only run on flat with the treadmill, so I’m especially proud of my 27:something 27:09 time. The official clock had me at 27:40 27:47, but I didn’t cross the start line for a few seconds as the crowd got moving (I was toward the back), so I would peg me at around 27:25 or so. I’ll update with the final time once it’s posted. UPDATE: I went faster than I thought! Go me! I finished 39th out of 73 in the men’s 25-29 group, and beat the average of  27:58, so I’m happy.

A few random observations from a 5k virgin:

• You see a lot of pressed fruit bowls and camel toe what with the outfits. 7:50 am is way to goddamn early for that.
• There must be a less logistically complicated way to organize these things. For example, why can’t I print my runner’s number at home? Also, why just have a big group as opposed to staggering the group by expected completion time?
• Most disheartening part? Seeing 11-year-olds absolutely blow past you in mile two as you keep chugging along. Made me want to trip them.
• Most heartening part? It may be cheesy, but groups of folks along the side of the course cheering you on. I know I sped up a little each time I passed one, and at the final stretch I ran flat out. The crowd helped there for sure.

I don’t know if I’ll run another one. Maybe. It is a lot of fuss just to do something that I can accomplish on my home treadmill, but overall I think I had a good time. If I do I’ll try to work up to a 10k or something. That’s how youg get hooked though, right? Really, once you’re at 10k, you should try to push for a half-marathon… Then once you’re there you should try for a full one.

I turn 30 next year. Maybe I’ll shoot for a half by then. We’ll see.