Anybody up for a 10K fun run?

Hello Dear Reader-

Have my mother tell it, I'm like a dog with a bone. I'd prefer to say that I'm more like Atlanta's Channel 2 News: Dedicated, Determined and Dependable. Anyway, this whole marathon prep thing has me focused on all things related to helping me set my sights on making it to March 20th. All of the marathon training articles for beginners suggest that, in order to get a feel for what to expect at/from a running event, participation in 5K and 10K races is recommended. My research has led me to events both in Lesotho and in South Africa: Fun Run Calendar. I'll be checking for events which take place in the Free State and Gauteng (Johannesburg) Provinces.

A "fun run", from what I understand, is a non-qualifying race/event. There are races, such as the Boston Marathon, which require you to have participated in, and met specific time requirements within your age group before you can enter. The famed and ridiculously long (56 miles) Comrades Marathon, held every year in South Africa, is another race which requires you to qualify before entering. Marathons over the standard 26 miles are known as "ultra marathons".

Having said all of this, my sights are set on participating in the 10K Bloemwater Kovsie on Saturday, October 16th. Even if I don't run the whole thing, it would be nice to get a feel for what I'm getting myself into. I've never been to a race, much less participated in one, so I'm excited!

My search has also yielded results for national running clubs in South Africa. I found one in a city about 1.15 hours away from where I live. An email has been sent to the club management, requesting information on any weekend beginners clinics. All of this might be overkill, but when I say I need help, I mean it! Plus, if you don't know an answer to a question, isn't it always best to ask for help?

Have you ever participated in a 5K or 10K fun/run? Was this your first organized running event? What motivated you to register? If you wouldn't mind, please tell me about your experience? What was it like to finish? Did that get you pumped up to try out your running legs in other events?

Eek! I'm excited! I called the 10K fun run manager and was told that registration will commence on October 4th! You already know that I'll keep you posted!!!

Yours in training,

Dani

P.S.: Training Update- This morning's workout went on as planned. I managed to increase my time by two minutes and went from a 7.5 setting yesterday, to an 8 setting for the entire run today. Not much, I know, but more than I ran yesterday, so I'd call it an accomplishment! I must have been extra jazzed, cause I managed to stay on the stair master for 20 minutes without stopping...ummm?!?! Post stair master, 4 reps of 20 side (each side) and lower back crunches were capped off by a 15 minute stretch.

I don't know if it's that my leg muscles are starting to get used to the workouts, stretching works miracles, or the adrenaline is preventing me from feeling pain...but I'm not sore or stiff at all. As a matter of fact, I feel great and could actually stand to go for a jog this evening. Hmmm...Life is good!