I joined a 5k race this morning on Stanford campus. It was a lively event: many people are meandering around. There are information boothes, stations with fruits and water. A man was leading warm-up stretches on a platform before the race started. I am amazed by the turnout. There were about 400 people in the 5k race and maybe 300 in 10k race.
The morning air is chilly but after a while you don’t feel it. With so many active people around you, everyone wearing bib on their chest and ready to go, you feel so energized.
I stood at the back of the pack, which was a disadvantage as I was behind many people after the race started. As I watched that large crowd, filed into long lines in front of me, I wanted to catch up and pass them. But it was a hard task. As I continued to run fast in an even speed, I realized others ran as fast as I do. Looking back, I realized I passed quite a few people. But those people were left far behind, so I never thought about them much. Instead, my eyes are on a few people in front of me. I passed them, then I slowed down and they passed me again. I sped up and passed them again, then they passed me as I started to walk. We ended up at the finishing line almost at the same time. They are a reminder that I could have done much better in the race, simply by not slowing down or not taking rest.
As I crossed the finishing line, I felt deep pride. I have finished it, in a faster speed than my last time. My daily training paid off. Looking back at my first 5k race, it took me 36 minutes. (The next one is 34, and then another 32.5 minutes.) Today it is 31.5 minutes. Comparing to many people, this is not fast, but it took me months to achieve it. I can do better next time, and I believe I will.
