I DID IT!
Joe’s Run from a Participants Perspective
By Syleenia

EXHILERATION! That is the one word that describes the feeling I experienced as I crossed the finish line for Joe’s Run, held on the cold, windy morning of March 28. The reason is simple. I made a decision to cross over from being a spectator to becoming a participant. I was tired of the apathetic, lazy couch potato that I had become, drowning my sorrows and self-pity in TV and sleep, so I heeded the advice from Nike, “Just Do It!”  

Well, I just did it, and the rewards and benefits are remarkable. Eleven years ago I participated in a benefit 10K walk and loved it. I even began training for a marathon that was to be held in Hawaii. Halfway through my training, I began using drugs and became HIV-positive.

I never lost sight of my yearning to complete a marathon. I became motivated through a desire, a decision, an effort, and persistence. I am even more determined about the causes I choose to participate in, hence Joe’s run, benefiting us here at Sam House.

Training provides an outlet to help keep me clean and sober (over 3 years now) because it replaces a bad habit with a good habit. I train through walking or jogging on a track, treadmill, or just the beautiful outdoors. Even though I had a hard time getting inspired, and whined about time, pain, and tiredness, I persevered. The pain of beginning exercise is actually harder than the exercise itself. Really!

The advantages of training overwhelmed me as I began to achieve enormous energy levels and my outlook and mood uplifted, I slept better, woke up feeling more refreshed, my stress level decreased, my self-esteem improved, my thinking and memory became clearer, my T-cells began skyrocketing while my viral load remained undetectable. My liver and bladder became healthier, and environmental toxins were purged from my body. Also, I am gaining muscle and losing fat!  I also have built up incredible strength and endurance. 

Rick encourages me to keep training as I grill him for his expertise as a runner. He has been competing in and winning 10K runs for several years. I am just happy to be rewarded intrinsically by completing one.

Of all the 5Ks and 10Ks that I have participated in, this was by far the most fun, because I got to watch and assist in the “behind the scenes” element of this event. There is a lot of hard work that goes into these affairs. Aaron was incredible at orchestrating the planning, volunteers, donors, and set-up for Joe’s Run. I was able to help out with filling the “goody bags” for the participants and post notices on neighborhood residences, alerting them to our prospective presence racing down their street. I got to observe Gerald running errands, picking up items, power washing the parking lot, and adding the finishing touches to the trophies for “the big day.” I was so impressed by the number of volunteers from Sam House and the community.

The week before the race, I was very excited to pick up my colorful T-shirt, goody bag, and participant bib (#772) and this new computerized Chrono-Track Chip Timing System which attaches to the shoelace and computes results and stats automatically and immediately as the participant crosses the start and finish lines.

The day before the run, Rick advised me not to train so that my muscles could rest. This saddened me as I had become addicted to the instant energy produced from exercising. So, I loaded up on carbs, desperately seeking a partner to walk the course with; but none could be found until I ran across Beth, who is more than 20 years younger than me. Later, I discovered Rachel’s daughter Laura, Trey and Kirk also participated in the run.

I assumed Laura and Beth would be too fast for me and Trey, with his cane, would be too slow for me. I didn’t see Kirk until after the race. You know what they say about assumptions. Beth finished one minute before me, and Trey somehow snuck past me, finishing 8th in his division.

The day of the race contained so much anticipation and enthusiasm. Billy and Gerald set up the race Friday night and again at 4 a.m. on Saturday.  Allison directed the volunteers, who arrived at 6:00 a.m. for registration. Such dedication! I stretched to my morning meditations, viewed the weather, and dressed warmly in layered exercise gear. At 7:30, I came down to the awesome aroma of Starbucks coffee and pastries.

There was so much busyness going on all around Sam House and at Magnolia Green. Volunteers and registrants were everywhere. I experienced a friendly and supportive team, eager to help. Rachel and Beth even helped to put the finishing touches on my bib and shoelace tag. Around 1,500 people registered, and most of them showed up in the cold wind to participate. Numerous “cheerleaders” also combated the dreary weather to demonstrate their support for Sam House.

Joe’s Run facilitates the growth of Sam House residents as they work to regain their productive membership in society. Refreshments were offered. Restrooms were convenient. Entertainment was evident. (Clowns, music, and Steve dancing with the Parrot mascot) We warmed up with a “professional trainer.”

The 10K began at 8:10 a.m. and the 5K began at 8:30. The gun sounded and the race commenced. Officials directed us in the proper direction as well as averted traffic for our safety. The track was clean, and many volunteers cheered for us, took pictures, dispensed water (Thanks, G.B.), and collected trash. I heard laughter and excitement all around.

Many dogs walked their owners, which made me wish that it hadn’t been too cold for my one-lb. puppy, Chico Bandito, who trained with me, to participate. I heard participants comment on how they enjoyed experiencing the Near Southside trek and others seeking glove-selling entrepreneurs.  At Pennsylvania, I started shedding my gloves and clothing layers. Jogging is much warmer than just walking and I didn’t like being passed up, so I had to speed it up! My training pace was 14-15 minute mile walks. I bumped up for the actual race to a 12.5 minute mile jog/walk.

Being a part of something so big like this seems to pump the adrenaline. I was relieved to see the finish line and happily jogged in. I loved seeing so many familiar faces like Gerald, Gina, Melanie, Sue, Sarah, and Tony giving me a thumbs-up, and Ted taking my picture. Where was that parrot when I had my picture taken?

I was amazed that the results were posted immediately after the race. I was 15th in my division, completing the 5K in 40 minutes. This was five minutes ahead of my goal. I have set a new goal of jogging a 10K race and then on to a marathon race.

Restaurants in the community were so generous to donate their food, time, and service for the after-party on Magnolia Green. I ate so much, like quiche and Mexican food; hummus from Chadra’s; PB, seed and banana sandwiches from Z’s; cookies from Paris Coffee Shop; and loads more. Music was still playing, Steve and the parrot were still dancing, and Aaron began to hand out the most charming wooden parrot trophies to the winners. The Grand 5K winner was a 17-year-old track student who attends Martin High School with my daughter. Small world. He ran a 5.5 minute mile. WOW! I went home with so much vibrancy and vitality that I could not sleep until midnight. I viewed the sites for the results and picture gallery. They are www.joes-run.com and www.clinesrunningcorner.comI’m already counting down and training for the 2010 Joe’s Run. You should try it. I guarantee you’ll like it!