The indoor 5k

It was maybe about a year ago, when Jane and I went on one of our walks (I think), that I first verbalized to someone else this idea about having an "indoor" 5k. It was more of a question than anything, because, I don't know, it did sound a little silly. Well, yesterday we hosted one at my workplace... and I was pretty darn happy with the results!

It progressed from telling Jane, to incorporating the advice of a friend I work with, to telling my boss... and it was his backing (and excitement) that allowed it to happen (you know, people can't just come up with ideas at the YMCA). Of course, we had to turn it into a fundraiser for the Y... and yet, it still seemed to succeed on all levels!

Altogether there were 57 participants who forked over $25 apiece for the opportunity to run or walk 3.1 miles on a treadmill or elliptical (we don't have a track at my Y). Entrants received a t-shirt (designed by one of our staff), as well as the chance to win either a $50 gift card, duffel bag & beach towel, or messenger bag - regardless of how fast or slow you may have competed. The company that owns the building agreed to underwrite all the costs, so everything we took in - plus a few other donations - went entirely to the Annual Campaign that allows the Y to not turn anyone away due to finances.

The object was not to see who could run the fastest, but simply to get people together and have a little fun and fitness. So rather than giving awards based on time, we had 5 time categories, and drew 3 prize "winners" from each category. So whether you finished in under 20 minutes, 20-25:00, 25:01-30:00, 30:01-35:00, or over 35 minutes, you had equal opportunity to win an award (although your odds increased with a faster time).

The most exciting thing to me were the number of people who never knew they were even capable of doing a 5k, and seeing their excitement at finishing (One guy had me hold his heart medicine - "just in case"). I think one of the unexpected benefits of using treadmills/ellipticals is that there was no finishing differential - no one knew who was in the lead or lagging behind, because everyone ran/walked in the same space.

So, not only did we raise over $1,000 for the Y, and have a fun time doing it, it was a win for me personally as well. Not that that's what it was about, but I was so energized and happy yesterday. It's like it was the first time I felt I've "done something" in a long time. Even though I was up at 4:30 am, and was at work from 6 am to after 2 pm, for one whole day I was full of life again! It felt good.

Anyway, I'm sure there are some things I'm forgetting, and I probably wasn't the best "team player" at times, but I feel pretty good about how it all turned out. It sounds like this may be an annual event. Even though I dread the thought of working in this same capacity for another year... I'd be game to do it again. Even *I* think this was a good idea - on several levels.

Here are some pics...

Top f & m finishers: 18:46 and 17:58