First Charity 5K of Many to Come!
By Sherry Li 
September 14, 2010 
19 Comments
Riding on Patrick’s marathon fever, I spontaneously decided to run a 5K for charity. 26 miles I cannot do but 3.1 miles I definitely can! For a few weeks leading up to the September 12th Race for the Cure, I stalked the Midtown NYSC. I slowly ramped up to 3 miles on the treadmill, and even added some hills for a more realistic simulation of Central Park on race day. But what the actual 5K was nothing I like expected!
Since the Komen Race for the Cure was my first charity 5K (and 5K in general), I actually didn’t know what to expect. We slowly jogged our way up to West 72nd Street. Along the way, many participants in matching white and pink shirts were also making their way up. As we got closer to the registration area, we realized just how BIG the Komen 5K was. As we looped into the Park to meet up with our team and then eventually meandering to the starting line at 77th Street, we saw endless crowds of people. I’m not sure about the official number of people who showed up on Sunday but there must have been tens of thousands!
The enormous turnout was both overwhelming and exhilarating! To run a 5K with so many supporters was more than I could ask for! The actual run was, well, excruciating. I was a swimmer in my younger days so I’m useless on land, especially with my knee injury. By mile 3, I slowed to almost a crawl. Without a treadmill, I had no idea at what pace I was going. Did I go too fast for the first 2 miles? Maybe I should have eaten something beforehand. Luckily, crowds of people lined up on the side cheering runners on snapped me out of my daydream. They were just what I needed to get through the last mile!
Crossing the finish line was such a great feeling – knowing that I accomplished what I set forth and helped a great cause in the process! I raised a total of $320 – thanks to my wonderful friends and colleagues! The free stuff after the race was also a great reward! It was wonderful to see so many sponsors of the race and all the enthusiastic volunteers trying to feed us water and bananas. There were even pom poms and face stickers (I look fierce, huh?)! This is the first of many 5K’s to come, I think!
Related Posts
No related posts.
Author
Congratulations!! That’s so amazing!
Thanks! It was a lot of fun (after I finished)!!
For the record, the first 5k is always the worst.
If you keep doin’ them they get way easier (figuring out your pacing and whatnot). Congrats on the first for sure!
Haha, good to know!! I’m looking forward to the next one
no love for your personal juke box :-/ or the moving photographer! im just a jack of all trades. im so awesome.
FREEEEEEEEEE FOOOOOOOOOOOD wheres all the free foooooood
what about your other appetite for good team mates *AHEM* *cough* *cough* KM too ! *cough* * cough*
Sheesh somebody has a problem with my article
All the food pictures are on your camera. I don’t have them.
haha I love the article! Watcha talking about? But come on now! What about all my efforts in singing lady gaga? I think I did a good rendition of money honey and more! Yippee sign up for a 10k! I’ll run that with you too and I’ll sing again! Maybe mix it up with some ke$ha!
Ha! Too bad I’m too sloooow for you
I’ll die on the 10K at mile 4 and you’re gonna have to drag me to the finish line…
Good job, y’all! =)
Thanks! It was awesome and fun!
Very well done ! I hope you are following a better diet than your marathon training friend. His last post about his training diet was quite scary. I hope this has got you into running. Now all you need to do is get online and sign yourself up for a 10K in three months time. Something to work towards, and keep the momentum. Well done ! KG
Hahaha well I eat a lot less than Patrick but not necessarily very healthy. Though I don’t have his penchant for fried things as much!
Hmmm 10K! Definitely something to work towards! Thanks for the suggestion!
The 5K has got to be my favorite race. It gives you that sense of accomplishment without wiping your out.
Great run. Good for you. Already signed up for the next one???:)
Thanks! Definitely! I was only in pain for a tiiiiny bit and crossing the finish line with hundreds of other people was such a great feeling!!
Next one soon, I hope!
Bravo to you on having the commitment to do this. I have an aunt and mother-in-law who are breast cancer survivors so what you’ve done is personal and I am so, so grateful.
Thank you so much! I’m happy to support cancer research and awareness! It’s such an important topic! Your aunt and mother-in-law are crusaders
Congratulations on running your first 5K! I just ran my first one last fall and I remember what an amazing feeling it was as I ran across the finish line. Here’s to you and accomplishing your future goals!
Thanks so much! It felt great afterwards! I’m definitely looking forward to my next one. I’m hoping to improve my time
i can has cheeseburger?