About a month and 2 weeks ago, I ran my first race (10k) ever! I never imagined myself running ever but here I am. Here's some background on how I got there, the race day, and some final takeaways and tips. 

There's absolutely no relationship! 

Who would have guessed that I, Georgina Antwi-Boasiako, would ever pay to run? You know those people that may be seen running at any time of day and seem to enjoy it? Yes, that is something I never understood and will never understand even after this experience. But what compelled me to do a 10k race as my first race ever, and why this year? If you didn't already know, I am an immensely supportive and wonderful person to have in your life. This may appear to be bragging, which I don't mind, but anyone would be fortunate to have me as a friend. I am very certain that all of my loved ones will agree.

So when one of my friends, Faith, invited me to join her in a 10k race in Columbus, I hesitated a little, but decided to participate because why not? This will not only allow me to try something new and challenge myself, but it will also allow me to support one of my close friends who is training towards completing a marathon. So that's the story of how I ended up doing a 10k race. It was merely to support a friend while also challenging myself. So, what did I do to prepare for this race?

So we signed up for the race at the end of the year in 2022, and it was held on June 4, 2023, the first Sunday. Despite having around 6 months to prepare, I ended up having only 2 months to prepare for the race owing to forgetfulness and laziness.

My primary goal for this race was to complete it! Isn't it what everyone wants when they run a race? Because I knew nothing about training for a race, I did some research to find the best realistic training schedule for myself.

As we've already established, I have no relationship with running. It's something I've never done before, especially long distance running. Because I wanted to do well on race day, I reduced my strength training to two days a week. I ran at most four times per week: a few short runs (1-3 miles) on weekdays (frequently on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings), and a longer run (4-5 miles) on Saturday. Of course, I did not start running greater distances right away, but after three weeks, I did. 

I can't run with anything in my stomach. I attempted it at first, but I became nauseous in the middle of running and had to stop. I made sure to hydrate with a bottle (16 oz) of water after every run, and then ate a huge bowl of breakfast with loads of protein, carbs, and fat. 

Classic oatmeal with fruits (mainly black and blueberries) and peanut butter is my go-to breakfast. It was critical for me to consume as much protein (and carbs, of course) as possible to aid in my recovery, muscular growth, and to reduce the possibility of injury.

I ate mostly the same foods in the days leading up to my race. One, I was too lazy to alter things up, and two, I was just plain lazy. I can cook (according to the 1k+ people I've fed lol), but I don't enjoy cooking, which is my conundrum. I packed a bottle of water (with electrolytes) and two protein bars for the race. Because I was going to run the race on an empty stomach, I made sure to have a substantial dinner high in protein and carbohydrates. I also went to bed about an hour earlier than usual to get an extra hour of sleep, which is critical for day-to-day functioning.

This day surprised me because I wasn't nervous at all. I was truly excited and eager to give it my all. I had no idea what to expect because this was my first race ever, although I had some idea after seeing previous race films on YouTube. About a week before the race, I picked up my race package, which included my bib (used to track my time), four safety pins to pin to the bib on my shirt, and a race t-shirt. 

I arrived early, at 7 a.m., to drop off my bag, stretch, and prepare for the race. Along with my friend Faith, whom I promised to run this race with, I pulled another good friend, Mariame, along with me. My best friend also came to cheer us on, which was very appreciated. 

The race was a lot more fun than I had anticipated. We started out walking at a good pace and gradually drifted off to our own speeds. The weather was beautiful, and the course was mostly flat. I'm pleased I started slowly - it was encouraging to pass people for the majority of the race, but also humbling to see older people ahead of me. 

My music playlist was flawlessly constructed, and I was proud of myself. Most people are motivated by the rhythm or beat of music, but I am motivated by the lyrics. I recall having just finished half of the run, lacking motivation and contemplating slowing down just in time for the right song to start playing; Run BTS by BTS. That song couldn't have come at a better moment. The race also granted access to an app called RaceJoy, which came in handy. Others could track you while you were on the course and send you motivational notes to keep you going. Shoutout to my younger brother, Steve, for sending me supportive and amusing messages during my race.

There were water breaks along the way and people waiting there to support you; even the police officers were sending encouragement words as we passed them by. The whole supporting atmosphere and community environment of the event was extremely inspiring.

Another thing that struck me while running, especially as I approached the finish line, was how much of a mental exercise running can be. It's astonishing how much control your mind has over your body, and how you can push yourself to keep going even when you're physically fatigued and want to quit. 

First - That I could actually do it and enjoy it! For a long time, I avoided running, owing primarily to a lack of appropriate support (you know what I'm talking about) and sheer fear. I used to dislike challenging myself, but in the last two years, I have accomplished so many things I never believed I would or could accomplish. I've also formed a community of beautiful people that inspire me every day to attempt new things and believe in myself. Completing this race was an amazing experience for me, and it has inspired me to keep going and aim towards completing a marathon. 

Second - Respect to all distance runners. 10k (6.2 miles) is nothing to sniffle at. Whether you're a beginner or an accomplished runner, it's a long way to run or walk. Of course, good training will help alleviate some of the agony, but the truth is that 10k is difficult. 

Third - Have some fun! and be proud of what you've just accomplished. It was your aim to run a 10k, and you accomplished it! So sit back and enjoy the experience from start to finish!