Wow, I did it!
After eight weeks of preparing my legs and body to get ready for Wednesday’s 8K run, it is over.
The run was a surprising success. That’s right, run. After six weeks of running around tracks, through Valdosta and on a treadmill, I didn’t think my legs would be able to carry me from the movies, around Valdosta State and into the Home Depot parking lot.
However, they didn’t fail me.
All in all, it was fun. The journey to get to the 8K was more trying than fun, but looking back on my five miles, it was a good time.
It started with me and a friend who came down from Atlanta to be my wing man during the run, meeting up with two of my fellow employees before the race and getting into starting position.
Mayor John Fretti shouted out the start command, and off we went.
My friend, who is a more practiced runner, took off a little faster than expected, but we found a compromising pace and set off up Baytree Road
It was smooth sailing heading up to VSU, as I enjoyed the beautiful weather. It’s amazing how nice the climate can be before noon. I may try to see it again sometime.
After we passed the first turn, shown the way by one of several volunteering veterans, my body started to tell me it had been running for a little while. Before I go on, I would like to thank the veterans who volunteered and their uplifting attitude during the event, cheering everyone on.
OK, back to the race. After the turn from Oak Street on to Georgia Avenue, I started to get a little fatigued. The friendly conversation of my running buddy, and the pre-race encouraging media we had, kept me going.
After the 6:30 a.m. wake up, I queued up Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run and had Rudy on the TV in the background. Hey, I was honest about being out of shape, so why not be honest about being corny?
The pre-race hypnosis worked, and the New Jersey rocker’s tune got me up to the front lawn of VSU.
There I had a lift of spirit, as a roadside attendee played steady on the bongos. Suddenly, I went from being distraught about the long way I had in front of me, to wiggling my rear bumper toward Brookwood Street.
From there, I knew once I got to Baytree, it was a straight shot. After a quick pull of water, I had to keep myself pumping.
Again the music chimed in, as my friend started reciting the rousing song, “There’s no Easy Way Out” from Rocky IV. My joinery started with Rocky music in my head. It was only fitting that it end there as well.
After the fourth mile, my friend went ahead to the finish line, and from there, it was just me and a goal. Thanks to two fellow participants, who recognized me and encouraged me to continue the rest of the way, I was headed toward Norman.
The course would play a trick, as a final hill stood before me. Going up the hill, I thought I was done for, and walking would be inevitable. However, I had a short way to go and cheerful, familiar voices to edge me on.
The racing gods were smiling on me, as Shirley and Ray McCully were positioned at the turn onto Norman Drive.
They yelled out to me words of encouragement, and the fact that I was almost done. Like I’ve heard a dozen times in the movie Godfather III (O.K. I was out of shape, corny, and stereotypical of a person with a vowel at the end of their name), “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.”
Well, it was the finish line that pulled me back in. With it in my sights, the fatigue of the 8 kilometers were behind me, and I raced for my finale. Arms raised, it was honestly one of the proudest moments of my life.
I set out six weeks ago on a goal I wasn’t sure I could accomplish, and with the help of Todd Smoot and the encouragement of a community, I exceeded those goals. It was an experience I will never forget, and a journey of staying fit I hope to continue.
So until next year, my 48 minutes, 13 seconds stands as a personal record and a personal triumph.
Baytree 8k
July 5, 2007
Column: I did it!
- Baytree 8k
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Seppala takes 8K again
The field was bigger, the weather was hotter, but the result was the same: John Seppala dominated the Baytree 8K.
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Seppala runs away with Baytree 8K
On Wednesday, John Seppala ran away from the other 180 runners at the Baytree 8K road race.
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Column: I did it!
Wow, I did it!
- Column: It’s finally time for the race Dear Valdosta,
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BAYTREE 8K - Registration Form
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Training for 8K is getting me healthier
OK, it’s hitting me. Five miles is a long way. But for me, running just two is also coming a long way.
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Rise and shine, 8K runner
This far into preparations for the Baytree 8K, my legs are supposed to be a little sore. However, I can’t tell over the pain my fist is experiencing from the fifth week.
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Nothing can stop me now.
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Baytree 8k, Here I come!
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Week 2 and still training
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