Move over, Usain Bolt

Though I’ve always been pretty active, I’ve always detested running. I’d much prefer to lift weights, or ride a bike. Running bores me, frankly.

I told this to my friend Jennie when we were discussing getting into better shape a few months ago. Her goal was to run her first 5K, she said. Inspired, I said that if she were going to run one, I would too. Then I sat on that and dreaded it, watching her run one, two, three, four of these races. I always had an excuse: The weather’s bad in Chicago, I’m traveling, I have other plans. Finally, when she hit her third run, I got fed up with myself. How bad could it be?

I signed up for the Humboldt Dream Run, which benefits a local church’s homeless ministry. I figured that way at least my entry fee would go to a good cause if I chickened out. Which I fully expected to do. But on Saturday, I ran my very first 5K. I did not die! In fact, I came in 17th overall and 6th in the women’s division, with a time of 27:19!

My friend and marathoner Layla (whom I just met for the first time in person after knowing her for more than a decade) was particularly excited for me. She’s “threatened” to take me running next time we’re in the same city, and warned me that this is probably a gateway drug.

She might be right. New goal: Run the Hot Chocolate 15K — three times the length — in November.