Adventures in Walking From the Couch to 5K - Chapter 22

AJ wakes up by the alarm on her phone going off at 5:00 am. She gets right out of bed and gets dressed. AJ is thankful that she laid out her walking outfit last night. All dressed and ready for a quick breakfast. She goes down to the kitchen for her smoothie that is made of chocolate whey protein, banana, cocoa, and peanut butter. Also added in her smoothie are Phyzix MD Multivitamin Plus and Phyzix MD Just for Her. On the kitchen table is her waist pack, she takes her small bottles from the refrigerator and puts them in their holder. One quick trip to the bathroom, and she is ready to leave for her first race.

She grabs her waist pack, which has her bib number attached to it, and smoothie after putting her shoes on and heads out the door to drive to their meeting location. It’s still dark outside, as the sun hasn’t come up yet.

AJ thinks to herself wow, this is my first race. I am so excited to get there. Am I prepared? Of course I am. I did all my homework. I kept up with the ladies in my group for our group walks. I have my smoothie, water and strawberry flavored water to keep me going until after the race. I will be with my group. It’s going to be just like a group walk, but with a lot more people. The boys are going to be at the finish line for me. Eeeekkkk, I am so excited. I am scared, what if I fall? What if I can’t make it? What am I talking about? I got this! I will do awesome! My group will be there for support. Ok, I’ve got this. I will do awesome! Hey, I see Angela’s car. Yes, someone is here as early as me.

Angela is sitting in her car as AJ pulls up next to her. AJ takes a big deep cleansing breath, picks up her waist pack and exits her truck to go over to Angela. Angela gets out of her car and opens the back hatch. She has some bananas and water.

Angela asks AJ, “So are you excited?”

“Oh yes and nervous and scared, everything combined,” she replies.

“That’s ok. Everyone is their first few races and some are always like that before any race. You’ve done your homework and we’ve all done great during the group walks. You’ll be fine,” Angela encourages her.

Every few minutes someone from the group drives up and parks in the parking spots right around them. Finally, everyone has arrived and right on time too.

“Ok, we are going to walk over to the pharmacy and use their restroom. It’ll be our last chance to use an indoor restroom until after the race. Once we get across the street we will just have port-a-johns. Make sure you have your bib number on you or your waist pack. Everyone should have their waist pack with their bib number, beverages, snacks, identification, money and car keys. If everyone is ready, we can get going,” Angela says to her group of ladies.

“Ready!” everyone replies.

Angela closes the hatch on her car, and they all walk over to the pharmacy.

They enter the pharmacy and walk to the back where the restrooms are. Being that there are two single person restrooms they use both. While they are taking turns using the restroom the line grows behind them with others that will be doing one of the races. Everyone has taken their turn in the restroom and the ladies walk out of the pharmacy to the intersection where they wait for the light to change so that they can safely cross the divided road.

The traffic light turns and the ladies along with a group of other racers cross the divided road and walk down the sidewalk path that leads to the main entrance of Meadowbrook, where the race will start and finish. At the main entrance they wait for the traffic director to motion them across.

The traffic is starting to pick up with vehicles coming in from three different directions plus all of the racers. The group crosses the main entrance and goes up the hill towards the tents and port-a-johns. The ladies walk along the portable fencing barricades to the start/finish line where there is a banner across the timing pad on the ground. They go to the side of the banner that says start.

“Alright ladies, let’s take a group selfie with the start banner in the background,” says Angela.

After their group selfie the ladies walk around talking to various friends that they are finding in the start/finish area.

A few minutes later there’s an announcement, “Welcome to the Oakland Races! The start of the half marathon is in 10 minutes. Half marathoners, please get to your corral that matches your bib color.”

Angela and her group of ladies walk over to the fence by the bleachers so they can get a good view to cheer on the half-marathon runners and walkers.

There are thousands of people around the start/finish area: runners, walkers, family and friends. “Welcome to the Oakland Races! Thank you to all of the runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers. We are going to kick off our races with the singing of the national anthem by Riley McGlinka,” says the announcer.

Riley sings a rendition of the national anthem that gives everyone goosebumps. The crowd claps as he finishes the national anthem.

“All right, half-marathon runners and walkers are you ready!?”

“YES!!!” they shout.

“Get set…” and the air horn goes off to get the runners and walkers started. Everyone lined along the fencing that goes all the way to the entrance road is clapping and cheering them on.

“As soon as we get all the half-marathon runners and walkers across the start line 10K runners and walkers, please line up according to your bib color.”

Angela and her group of ladies walk over to get in line for the port-a-johns. They each have 3 people in line ahead of them. The line goes quick enough that they make it back to the fencing along the start/finish line before they announce the 10K taking off.

“10K runners and walkers we will be starting in 5 minutes!”

“MOM!!!!” AJ hears her boys yell at her. They come running up to AJ with Michael walking behind them. Cooper and Carson give her a big hug. “Good luck mom!” the boys say to her.

“We’ll be in the bleachers watching,” says Michael.

“10K runners and walkers, are you ready?” shouts the announcer

“YES!” the runners and walkers yell back.

“Get set!” and the air horn goes off for the 10K. The runners and walkers take off down the driveway lined with people clapping and cheering them on. “5K runners and walkers, it’s your turn to line up in your corral by bib color.”

AJ gives Cooper and Carson a hug. “Good luck mom,” they tell her.

AJ and her group of ladies walk to the corral with the colored flag the same as their bib’s. The ladies take selfies while waiting for the official start of their race.

“5K runners and walkers, are you ready?” shouts the announcer.

“YES!” the runners and walkers yell back.

“Get set!” and the air horn goes off for the 5K. The ladies walk on the side of the driveway closest to the fence and bleachers.

Cooper and Carson yell, “GO MOM!” and are clapping as they walk by them.

Vicki and AJ are at the front of their group and walk down the driveway to the sidewalk path that leads up along between the road and the trees.

Vicki says, “Let’s go single file while others pass us. It’s time for arms down.”

The route goes to the corner of the grassy area and turns to the right where they are going along the outside of one of the parking areas to the road that leads into the campus. All along the route there are people cheering, clapping, and ringing cowbells for the runners and walkers.

Kim and Denese move to the front of the group and everyone is two by two since there is room on the road to spread out. At the first left they go left and head towards Meadowbrook Hall, which has a down hill that leads to the courtyard of the mansion where there are volunteers with water.

“Water?” the volunteers ask as runners and walkers go by, while others are clapping.

“Great job!” and “Looking good!” Some people are shouting as the runners and walkers go along.

Angela’s group takes their water bottles out of their waist packs and gets a drink.

The route continues through the courtyard and out to the roundabout where they go onto the path that goes through the trees and over the bridge. On the other side of the trees they continue along to the next left and take the road to the parking area where they detour away from the road. Once back onto the road they continue to the section of campus that has parking by the lower soccer fields. This leads to a hill, and they go up to the upper soccer fields and get to a stop sign. At the corner there are more volunteers handing out water.

“Water?” they ask and others are clapping and cheering.

Angela and her group are all staying close together, like they did during training. As they get to the corner they follow the route to the right. At the next stop sign they turn right and this is the longest straight away that leads them to their final turn into the finish line.

“This training program has been great,” says Kim.

Denese replies, “I agree. I am going to miss it. We need to have regular walks as a group.”

“Yes, we do need to continue on,” AJ chimed in.

“I, too, have enjoyed our walks and would like to continue,” Vicki says.

Karin says, “I will be sad if we don’t get together for walks after today.”

“I agree,” both Doree and Sharon agree.

“I am glad to hear all this and I can help you ladies with continuing on. We can talk about doing a 10K in the fall,” Vicki says to the group.

As they get closer to their last turn Vicki and AJ take the lead in the group, and they pick up their pace pulling away from the group. They are the first to go around the turn to the right and up the hill to the finish line where Carson and Cooper are standing by the fence. “GO MOM!” They are yelling.

Their dad standing right next to them taking pictures as Vicki and AJ go past them and cross the finish line. The announcer announces their names as they go across the finish line. “AJ Walker from Oakland and Vicki Haus from Oakland.”

As they crossed the finish tears ran down AJ’s cheeks. They were happy tears. She wiped her tears away once they got past the cameras.

Following a few seconds behind them is Kim and Denese. Then Doree and Sharon with Karin and Angela bringing up the back of the group.

After they cross the finish line there are people there to hand them their finishers medal, which they take and then proceed to the finish line with goodies of apples, bananas, chips and water. Carson, Cooper and Michael meet AJ at the open gate area at the end of the finish line goodies area. The boys give her a hug and say, “We love you mom! Great job!”

The group of ladies, Carson, Cooper and Michael walk over to the post race celebration tent. Michael takes the boys to find something to eat and drink while the ladies go over to the free pizza and beverage line.

The boys go over to the BBQ Pit table where Cooper orders, “I want the pig candy pizza and root beer.” Pig candy is a candied bacon topping.

Carson orders, “I want the macaroni and cheese with root beer.”

Michael orders last, “I’ll have the ribs and root beer.”

He pays for their order and tells the boys, “Go sit at the table right there” pointing to one that is empty, lots of chairs and close by him.

Vicki and AJ walk over with their pizza and beverage to the table where Carson and Cooper are sitting at. Kim, Denese, Doree, Sharon, Karin and Angela come over to the table with their pizza and beverages. A couple of minutes later Michael walks over to the table with food for Carson, Cooper and himself.

Angela stands up and says, “Ladies, I want to thank you for a wonderful training season. It’s been great getting to know each of you. You have finished your first 5K walk. Now you need to set your next goal. What race will you work towards? Will there be a bunch of local races? Get them paid for and on your calendar. Not only is it cheaper to sign up ahead of time, you will go to the race if it’s already paid for. It is way too easy to sit at home when you save registration until the morning of the race. You all have each other’s email addresses and phone numbers. As you ladies mentioned during the race that you want to continue walking together, please do so. I can help you with training for a 10K, if you like. I am always ready to help you achieve your goals. Keep an eye out for next year’s training program and other training programs in the area. This will keep you going. Thank you again.” The ladies all clap for Angela.

“Whoever wants to walk, just let me know. I can either bring the boys with me or with enough notice I can have their dad watch them for me,” AJ comments.

Vicki replies, “How about continuing on our Thursday group walks?”

“Yeah,” they all reply.

“Ok, well I would love to continue with you ladies if you like and coordinate various places to meet,” Angela joins in.

“I would love it,” AJ replies.

The rest chime in, “yes, we’d love it.”

They finish their pizza and beverages. Michael along with Carson and Cooper finish their food and beverages as well and pick up their stuff. The boys give AJ a big hug and kiss. “Bye mom!” they both tell her. Then Michael walks back to his truck with the boys.

AJ and Vicki stay while the others get up and leave.

Vicki says, “It was so nice that Michael came with the boys.”

“Yes, it was. He’s been very supportive. Plus, anytime I am out training on my own that means he gets more time with them, which they all like.”

“That’s awesome. So, what do you think about training for the 10k? I think you can do it.”

“I’d love to do it, especially if it’s with a group. I found it much easier to walk with the group than by myself.”

“Yes, it is much easier with a group. I walk by myself, but it’s normally when going up to the grocery store for a few items or I’ll walk home from a restaurant in town and Harvey will drive.”

“That’s awesome. I was looking at the maps of the 10K and the half marathon. They look challenging, especially the half marathon. It goes up Tienken.”

“They are challenging and I highly recommend them for your future. In the fall there’s a 10K race in some orchards north of here that would be fun.”

“I will look at it and get it on my calendar.”

Vicki looks at her fitness watch and sees that she needs to get going home. “I need to head for home. Ready to go?”

“Yes, let’s go.” AJ replies. So, AJ and Vicki pick up their stuff and walk back to their vehicles.

Sitting in her truck, AJ closes her eyes and thinks to herself, I did it! I am exhausted, but I did it. My boys got to see me finish. I did it for me. I did it for my boys. I did it for Ann Marie.

Continue reading - the final chapter - Chapter 23