…“just” the 5K walk

As many Michiganders know, this past weekend (August 28th), Flint hosted the Crim Festival of Races.  The annual event, now looking ahead to its 35th year, brings a massive number of athletes to the Vehicle City for one of the nation's largest 10-mile road races.  For good reason, the 10 mile is the event's most popular race, but the Crim also boasts others from an 8K run & walk down to the Teddy Bear Trot for the little munchkins.  The Crim started in 1977 as a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, so to this day there is also a race honoring those athletes: The Lois Craig Invitational.  Literally... something for everyone.

This year - a record number of people (10,000+) participated in the 10 mile run.  I was not one of them.  My mom, who at 52 is probably in the best shape of her life, was.  It's her 6th year actually, which I find quite impressive!
 

My mom Sande on the left with her running pal Cindy.

Have you ever run 10 miles?  I haven't.  I'd rather go to the dentist.  The mere thought of running around the block makes me break out in a sweat & look for an excuse as to why it's a bad idea.  I have successfully completed ONE running event in my adult life: The Shillelagh 4 Mile Run/Walk.  It wasn't so bad, but I'm sure every runner in a 50 yard radius could hear my labored breathing.  I had to run a single mile in under 10 minutes to pass 9th grade gym class.  It took me 2 tries and I barely made it.  I should have known that moment was an indicator of my future athletic endeavors (or lack thereof). 

A few days before this year's Crim - my boyfriend's cousin & mother invited me to join them for the 5K walk.  I hadn't intended to participate but had already planned to be there in support of my own mom & others.  So I decided... SURE, what the heck!  I registered a day before the race, proudly picked up my "free" Crim T-shirt & my official race bib.  My very FIRST Crim event ever... this was big.

L-R: Me, Phyllis, Jenni, & Diane

Over the next 24 hours or so, dozens of people asked "Are you participating?".  To which I'd respond, "Well yea... but JUST the 5K walk", nothing to write home about.  Nearly everyone would say: "just? At least you're DOING something!"  I'd just brush them off thinking, yea... but it's not the big 10-mile.  Now THAT'S something.  It wasn't until I crossed the finish line, just as proud of my little 5K walk, did I realize they were right.  It's not about always being the most fit, the fastest, the best-trained.  It's about accomplishing a goal.  Sure, I could have pushed myself to do more (and maybe one day I will), but I genuinely had the best time.  I got to cheer on my friends in the 10-mile, hang out with my dad & aunts while waiting for my mom to finish, socialize with my bf's family on our walk in the beautiful sunshine, and simply be part of an event so much bigger than me. 

So the next time you try to down-play your involvement remember, at least you're doing something.  Even for those who DON'T register for a race, supporting those who do is just as important as competing.  If you haven't witnessed the Crim crowds, I suggest you do it - at least once.  Try not to get choked up when the wheelers cross the finish line or when you see an 85 year old man rockin' the sweat band, pushing hard around that last turn.  Pay close attention to those you don't expect to see.  The young woman with a prosthetic leg, determined to prove that anything is possible or the most nonathletic of racers motivated by a vision of being a healthier version of themselves.  Age, body type, fitness level... it's all relative.  Determination takes the gold.