Today was the 5k For Their Lives run at Independence Square in Colombo. RFTL is a charity run held annually in Colombo in aid of the Maharagama Cancer Institute. It's a fundraiser of the Rotaract Club of Colombo Uptown (See more at http://www.facebook.com/runfortheirlives). I had three goals for the run 1. Finish under 30 minutes 2. Don't stop running and 3. Don't slow down at the finish. Discipline in pushing myself actively has been somewhat of a challenge for me so I made these goals in order to push myself and push myself out of my comfort zone and undertake a (somewhat) new challenge. I love to run and it has always been a passion of mine but I never really set goals for myself. I set these small, yet important goals, in order to feel more accomplished in my run and run to the very best of my ability.
Before the run my father and I walked around for about a mile around Independence Square, to warm up as well as see the area. Later we met up with some friends from the American Embassy and we warmed up before the run.
When the run started my dad and I started slow in order to set a good pace as well as avoid being trampled by the runners who decided to sprint the entire trail. While I was running I felt really good about keeping my goals up. About 3k in was when I started to feel the pressure of the run and started to slow, but didn't stop running. My dad helped me to run the rest of the way but while I was starting to slow down more I remembered why I was running, and who I was running for. I thought of all the people I was running for who didn't have the option to quit like I did. They don't have the choice to stop or slow down. Their lives are constant battles; this realization helped me to push forward. I finished strong with a sprint to the finish. I felt accomplished because not only did I run just to run and complete my goals; I ran for people who are going through a lot of pain and suffering. When I realized the importance of the run I felt like I ran faster, harder, and better.
After the run my dad and I went to have a big breakfast in order to relax our legs. I felt very good after the run and I felt like I fulfilled my goals. I didn't stop running, I made it back in just under 30 minutes, and I sprinted to the finish without a problem.
Obviously I was still feeling really good when I got home...
