Alright folks, buckle up! Let me tell you about my “Eye of the Dragon 10k” journey. It wasn’t pretty, but damn, it was rewarding.
It all started with a crazy idea. I saw this race, “Eye of the Dragon 10k,” and something just clicked. I hadn’t run seriously in ages, but the challenge was too tempting. So, I signed up. No plan, no training… just pure, unadulterated ambition.
Week 1: Reality Check
First run? Disaster. I managed maybe 2k before my lungs felt like they were on fire. My legs were screaming. I walked most of it. Humbling, to say the least. I realized I was way out of shape. No way I could wing this. Time for a plan.
- Started with simple walk/run intervals. 5 minutes walking, 1 minute running.
- Focused on breathing. Deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Sounds basic, but it made a huge difference.
- Stretched like my life depended on it. Hamstrings, calves, quads… everything.
Week 2-4: Building a Base
Gradually increased the running intervals. Shaved off some walking time. Still slow as molasses, but I was covering more distance. My legs were getting used to the pounding. The key was consistency. Three runs a week, no matter what.
- Upped the running intervals to 3 minutes, walking for 2.
- Introduced a longer run on the weekend. Slowly bumped up the distance each week.
- Listened to my body. If I felt pain, I stopped. No pushing through it.
Week 5-7: Pushing the Limits (Slightly)
This is where it got tough. My motivation started to wane. The runs felt harder. But I kept at it. I started mixing in some speed work – short bursts of faster running. It was brutal, but it helped build endurance.
- Added fartleks – random bursts of speed during my runs. Run hard to that tree! Now run easy to that mailbox!
- Tried to find some hills to run on. Hated every second of it, but it built strength.
- Made sure to eat right. More protein, more veggies. Less junk food. It made a difference in my energy levels.
Week 8-9: Tapering Down
Race day was approaching fast. Time to ease off the intensity. Less mileage, more rest. This was the hardest part – resisting the urge to cram in more training.
- Cut back on the running volume. Short, easy runs.
- Focused on sleep. Got as much as I could.
- Carbo-loaded. Pasta, rice, potatoes… bring it on!
Race Day: Eye of the Dragon
The atmosphere was electric. So many runners, all hyped up. I felt nervous, but also excited. The gun went off, and we were off!
I started slow, sticking to my planned pace. The first few kilometers felt good. Then, the hills started. Oof. My legs were burning. I had to walk a bit, but I didn’t give up.
The crowd support was amazing. People were cheering, handing out water. It kept me going. As I neared the finish line, I dug deep and found another gear. I sprinted (well, as much as I could sprint) and crossed the finish line. I did it!
It wasn’t a pretty race. I wasn’t fast. But I finished. And that’s all that mattered. The “Eye of the Dragon 10k” kicked my butt, but it also proved to me that I’m capable of more than I thought.
The medal is nice, but the feeling of accomplishment? Priceless. Would I do it again? Hell yeah! Maybe next time I’ll even train properly.
