Kickoff 5K

Sarah and I sat in my car in front of Arrowhead Stadium, staring at the frozen tundra before us. There was snow and ice covering the parking lot, and the windchill was almost below zero.

"We could just go to IHOP and eat pancakes and drink coffee."

"I mean, we could. But we're already here. Let's just do it, and then we'll feel awesome."

" . . . ok . . . "

It was my second race of the year, a year in which I had challenged myself to run one 5K a month, and two 10Ks. Compared to current conditions, the last race I ran in 20 degree temperatures seemed like a Hawaiian vacation. If I thought I was crazy for doing the last race, at this point I was certifiably insane. Sarah and I had gotten to the race super early, and we sat in my car for almost an hour, absorbing as much heat as we could. We waited until the absolute last minute to get out of the car and run over to the starting line. 

Sarah headed to the back, and I went to the very front. I wanted to finish this thing ASAP, and I had told her that she could find me in the car when the race was over, recovering from the hypothermia and frostbite that would surely set in. 

As soon as the race organizers gave us the word, off we all went. I was already annoyed that my Spotify music app wasn't working, meaning I couldn't listen to my normal running playlist that keeps me motivated. I had to go with another internet radio app, Pandora, and I was at the whim of whatever came on the station it was on. It turned out to be my Hillsong United station, a popular worship band from Australia, and the mix of songs that played had to have been divinely influenced. 

On the first mile I wondered if my face would actually freeze solid and fall off. The sun was trying to peek out, and I prayed that it would make an appearance, having mercy on us all. I focused on my breathing, and within a few minutes, my body was warm, and I wasn't so much thinking about the cold. I quickly realized that the worship music that was playing in my ears was so much more encouraging than the playlist I had planned. About a half mile in, I felt God's presence with me very tangibly, and I knew how proud He was of me for choosing to run that race despite all the good reasons I had not to. I started to cry, but I considered the bitter temperatures and decided I didn't want my tears to freeze to my face, so I got ahold of myself.

I passed a tall, athletic looking black guy in mile two. I was holding a steady pace, but he would run past me and then stop to walk. Then he would run past me again and walk again. It was almost like when a car keeps passing you on the highway, only to slow down to where you have to pass them. Then they speed up and pass you again. It drives me nuts (no pun intended). Sadly, there is no cruise control setting on a human being. I wondered if he figured he just couldn't let tiny me run ahead of him. 

In mile three, we passed our original starting point as we completed a full circle around both Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium. Cutting across the parking lot we ran between the two looming structures, Kauffman on my left and Arrowhead on my right. I remember thinking it was fitting to be running around a baseball and football stadium where so much athletic talent is on display throughout the year. Chiefs and Royals jokes aside, a part of that athletic spirit was pushing me forward. 

As I rounded the last corner on the other side of the stadiums, I sprinted towards the finish line. All I could think about was pancakes and hot coffee. After a quick finish line selfie, I decided to backtrack and find Sarah. Walking slowly back to the last corner before the finish line, I waited for my friend. When she reached me, we jogged the last few hundred yards to the finish line together, high-fiving as we crossed. It was a much better feeling than waiting for her back at the car. 

My official time was 33:11.7. It's certainly not a record setter, but it is much better than the 00:00.0 I would have gotten if I hadn't run at all. 

Stuffing myself with grits and eggs at Cracker Barrel after the race, I realized that half the battle in life is just getting to the starting line. I felt like a Roman gladiator for what I had accomplished that day, and I would have missed out on that feeling if I'd given in to my mind telling me to quit before I'd even started. Luckily, Sarah had told me to man up, and I had listened. So stop making excuses and get started. And make sure you have a Sarah in your life to keep you from missing a chance to achieve your goals. The grits and coffee taste so much better when you do. 

Looking very determined on the right. 

Hands raised in victory heading for the finish!

My best friend who keeps me going.