Surviving a 5K

I learned a totally valuable lesson about running. Honestly, I learned a few. Sadly, I learned most of them the hard way. You see, I asked how to prepare for a run and all of my friends gave me their best advice on what to wear, to eat or not eat, pacing and chafing.

Apparently I asked the wrong questions. What I really needed to know was...how to live and survive after the run. Seriously? None of you thought to mention that?!?

So, here are a few tips for those who have never participated in a 5K (or love someone who hasn't and care enough to give the very best).

1. Do NOT make plans for the next 24-48 hours. For example, don't plan to watch football with your boyfriend and his mom later in the day. She might come to watch the game and you are PASSED OUT asleep in the middle of the day.

2. Get plenty of nutrition-and fast! This includes tip 1, don't make plans for dinner, have dreams of eating dinner or celebrating with friends. You might be PASSED OUT and miss a meal or five.

3. Don't plan to move. I'm not talking packing and getting a new house, I'm talking from point A to point B. Seriously. Squatting to sit on the toilet hurts, walking hurts, your back, arms, legs, abs and face hurt. I don't know why your face hurts, but it might be from grimacing as a result of the other pain.

4. Don't return to the gym. No pain, no gain? BS. I didn't have any gain and I had a boatload of pain!! Plus, I went to boot camp where did the Native American run (you might call it an Indian run, but I don't like Columbus, so I'll be PC). This is where people run in a line, and the last person tries to run to the front. I think. This really was the girl in front of me is shorter and her cute little arms only go to the top of her head...as she tried to pass a medicine ball to me. So, I'm trying not to run on her heels and get the ball. This created much laughter and additional pain. Frankly, our team left us. Oh- and the dumpsters had just been emptied which allowed me to perform my famous retching noise as I gagged.

5. Ibuprofen IV. My darling friend, Tracy, advised me to get plenty of fluids and ibuprofen (after the race ). Of course, if you'll remember tips 1 and 2 you know you're PASSED OUT and cant take it regularly. So just get an IV.

6. Don't do a 5K during college football season. Seriously, who wants to miss a whole day's worth of football? (besides an Auburn fan this year) tehe!

7. Finally, don't do a 5K without your friends. It's the only way to survive. They understand, make it more fun, and (if you're like me) wait for you at the finish line.

8. Make sure you ask your boyfriend for 5K flowers. Maybe he will be as awesome as mine and get you something even better... I got a trophy.

J