Firsts

Last night was the first time I ran with my Team. We met at a park near my job and spent a few minutes chatting before we warmed up and went out for a run. I nearly choked when the coach said that she wanted us to go out for at least an hour, but I calmed myself down by deciding to walk a significant portion of the time.
I set out with everyone and was clearly at the back of the pack within a few hundred meters, but I plodded along. One of the alumni, from Team in Training, caught up with me (I think she started about 5 minutes after me) and we spent about half a mile chatting. Actually she spent half a mile chatting, I spent it sputtering and gasping for air, while interjecting a few, "Yeah," and "Huh." comments. I was struggling deeply.
We were fifteen minutes into the run when she excused herself and took off on her real pace. I was alone again and debating this whole half-marathon thing. But I knew that I had to finish the loop I was on. I figured it would take me about half an hour. I've run that far before and I decided that no matter what, I would make it back to the start.
I was turning the last corner when another group of runners (not with out team) passed by and greeted me. As I watched them run ahead, I started to feel better about myself. I passed the starting line and looked at my watch. 30 minutes. I decided to go for a few more and then walk a little bit. As I ran, Carol (the woman who was running with me before) lapped me. She asked me how I was doing and I told her that I was finally feeling good. She told me to keep up my pace and I did. 28 minutes later I ran across the finish. I was the last team-member back. But as I ran in, I felt great. One of the other alumni asked me how far I went. I told him that I had gone two laps and he said, "Wow, five miles on your first Team run." I didn't believe him, so I drove it after the fact and sure enough...5 miles.
Last night I had four firsts: 1.) It was my first official Team Training run, 2.) I ran 5 miles in one workout, 3.) I ran for an hour, 4.) I felt like a REAL runner, for the first time. It was a good night.