Friday, April 15, 2011

My Honest Opinion: Why You Need to Sign Up for a 5k. Like Today.

If you have never done a 5k, you are SOOOO missing out. 

I could give you a million and one reasons to do a 5k, but instead, I narrowed it down to my top 5 reasons to do a 5k.

Try to be excited, K?  I know I am!

1.  Because it's totally the IN thing.

Yep.  Everyone is doing it.

Do you really want to be the only one NOT doing it?

I didn't think so. 

Kinda like if everyone else jumped off a cliff, right?

I mean, clearly, this is one instance where following the crowd is ok.

It's like the opportunity you were waiting for in your teens, but never got. 

And if there is a Fun Run for the Kids, you will most definitely laugh your pants off. 

Because those kids are hilarious.  And adorable.  And fiercely competitive.

In a way that adults are too civilized to be.

And well. 

It's just so awesomesauce! 

Kinda like a root beer float on a hot summer Sunday. 

Only I don't like root beer. 

I know.  My husband is appalled as well.

But I do like Diet Dr. Pepper. 

So ya know. 

That's what I make mine with.

And I pretend like it's root beer. 

To fit in.

So, what have we learned here? 

To do a 5k in order to fit in?  Eh, I guess that's kinda what I was trying to say....

2.  Because it's healthy.  Duh.

And then you get to tell people you are attempting to be healthy.

Which pretty much gets you double points in life.

For those of you who are keeping track of points.

And I don't just mean Weight Watchers Points.

I mean awesome life points. 

Which pretty much smash WW Points to smithereens.

Lesson here: Attempts at good health are actually better than dieting...unless you are looking at the scale. 

But sometimes even then.... 

So...yeah.... 

(If you think there was no real lesson to this point, you may be right.)

3.  Because it's fun!

(Also known as "you will release endorphins and endorphins are totally better than jelly beans in the middle of a Rice Krispie Treat")

This could also be interpreted as you will smile alot.

And who doesn't love smiling?

Except maybe Ebenezer Scrooge.


Or Scrooge McDuck.


Or maybe this guy in the first half of "Ground Hog Day".


So yeah. 

Be warned.  You may also get carried away and wave at people you don't know.  Randomly.

Should this happen, you could end up losing a few seconds off of your time due to the extreme concentration it takes to run and wave at the same time.

You have been warned.

But this could just be a Leah thing.  I dunno for sure.

4.  Because you probably won't finish last. 

Let me clarify.  This means that more than likely, you will beat SOMEONE. 

And seriously, who doesn't want to beat SOMEONE?

The self satisfaction is enough to really justify spending the $20 on the race.

Because clearly, you just beat someone.

Thus making you better than them (in this one area).

And this is really the only time in your life where you actually get to enjoy being better than someone else publicly.

Enjoy it.

Also, you may get to be better than yourself.

Which is really better than being better than someone else.

I.e., do we all remember my first 5k?


Last night I shaved more than 2 minutes off of my pace and 6 minutes off my overall time. 

Hello, PERSONAL RECORD!!!!


That's pretty much sweeter than beating anyone else. 

If I do say so myself.

(Again, this could just be a Leah thing.  But I don't think so.)

5.  For the free tee shirt. 

Also known as the one you pay $20 bucks for. 

But still, for the tee shirt.

And if you can get your friends to run/walk it with you, it's even better.

Because now you will all have matching free tee shirts.

And seriously, who doesn't want to have a matching free tee shirt party?

Now, simply by wearing your matching free tee's you get to let everyone around you know not only are you attempting to get healthy by participating in a race, but you have friends (or people you know) who were willing to participate with you. 

That's serious tight bonds there.

SERIOUS.

Also for the cool post race pics.



But I am not gonna make a number for that one.

I just wanna show off the pics.

And my time again.


And wait for the comments to come rolling in.

Also, for the record, I am sharing this post at Amanda's weekly bloggy reading party.

Because I am really puffed up with self-satisfaction today and what better way to show that off?

Click on over and join me! 

Weekend Bloggy Reading

8 comments:

Kait said...

i looovee reason 4 the best bhahah! (and 5!)!

ahhh mazing job Leah!! Love seeing the progress from the 1st one to this one!! Next one is gonna be insane time right? Are you ready for it? heheh!

Chris said...

What!?! Nothing about beating me!?! Come on :) You did so great!!!! Can't wait for the next one and for you to beat me again!

Carrie said...

sorry, that was me logged in as Chris

Sarah said...

You're such a dork. But I'm still totally jealous of your running.

Katie @ Newcomb Home said...

Congrats on the PR! I found your post on Serenity Now, I'm glad I did! Now I want to go running :) Off to read the rest of your blog!

emily said...

You cracked a 9min mile. You are awesome!

Melissa said...

Hey, great job! I enjoyed your list and appreciate your accomplishment!

(My knees ache at the very thought of running ...)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

You should be very proud of yourself! I am in awe of anyone who can run more than 5 steps without getting winded. I featured this post yesterday (along with a rebuttal I wrote 2 years ago). ;)

Thanks for sharing!