I remember Annabelle's first 1 mile fun run last year at the YMCA. She was tired, and there was a woman walking/jogging with a dog at the back of the race. She told Annabelle that she had to beat the dog, because once the dog crosses the finish line, the race is over. Every time that dog's footsteps got close to Annabelle, she would start running a little faster. It was a bit of a struggle for her to finish that 1 mile race, but she did it.
I was nervous about Annabelle running a 5K, but I was also nervous about me running a marathon in November, and I did it. So, I knew she could do it if it was something she really wanted. I asked her a few times if she wanted to run the 5K or the 1 mile race, as the weeks went by, and she kept insisting that she wanted to do the 5K. I certainly wasn't going to tell her that she couldn't do it. After all, I know better now about setting limits.
As the Doylestown 5K got closer, the weather forecast got worse and worse. That week, there was lots of rain and cold temperatures, and there was a 30% chance of rain on race day. Annabelle HATES the cold and rain. It was raining at Disney last summer, and she wanted to go back to the hotel room, instead of staying at the park. I knew the rain would make Annabelle's first 5K a negative experience, and feared she'd never want to do another one after that.
Fortunately, race day was beautiful and sunny, even though it was a little chilly. We arrived early for the race and watched the kids fun run. Annabelle was so excited for the 5K to start. At the starting line, she kept looking around and smiling at me. It was so sweet! The race started and we were off.
Annabelle sprinted in the beginning of the race, and got tired quickly. As she worriedly looked at other runners passing us, I told her it was OK to slow down. She said, "But, people are beating me." I told her that lots of adults can't even run a 5K, and that just finishing the race would be amazing, even if she was in last place.
During the race, she would speed up and sprint, every time someone cheered for her or said an encouraging word along the course. Then, she would get tired, and slow down and tell me that she was "so tired." After we passed 1 mile, I told her that she already ran further than she'd ever run before, and I congratulated her. After we passed a mile and a half, I kept telling her we have less than half way to go. These are all things I tell myself when I'm running a tough race, and it always helps me.
Throughout the race, I reminded her that she could slow down to get her energy back, and just told her to put one foot in front of the other, and eventually she would get to the finish line. This is another thing I tell myself during races when I'm getting tired, or when I feel like I want to quit. Sometimes, when you're doing something that's really challenging, you can't think about how far you have to go. You just have to focus on every baby step along the way, or you'll be overwhelmed. The baby steps are doable, so if you focus on them one-by-one, you'll eventually get there.
By the end of the race, Annabelle was so exhausted, and she was almost in tears, saying "I'm so tired." I just kept telling her that she was doing great, and she was almost there. Sometimes, being reminded about the good things can take your mind off the bad ones.
As we approached the finish line, the announcer found Annabelle's name by looking at her bib number. He said, "And here comes Annabelle Peters! Great job, Annabelle!" Everyone along the finish line was pointing at her in amazement and cheering for her. I was so proud of her! She was the youngest person registered for the 5K that day, and she finished it.
Along the course, one of the runners pointed to her and said, "That's my inspiration right there." I smiled at him, and thought about his comment. Annabelle is my inspiration, too. Everyone who we told about the race was in shock that Annabelle finished that 5K. One of my friends said it was amazing and commented that she couldn't ever run a 5K. But, the truth is, Annabelle is proof that anyone can do it if they really want to. Mind over matter. It works every time!
On the way home from the race, Annabelle said to me, "You know what, Mommy? You never know if you can do it, unless you try." And she's right...
