As I said a few days ago, after jogging for two miles, I wanted to see if I could do the same for 3 miles at a 5k.

I got a chance to try it this morning at the Kilómetros de Cambio (Kilometers of Change) 5k this morning. 

I was very interested in getting a chance to contribute what I could to this great movement. Kilometers of Change is a social movement that raises its voice against domestic violence in Puerto Rico and supports shelters for victims of domestic violence. This amazing movement isn’t limited to this 5k, but a bigger movement will take place in May. For three days, groups will start walking and pass the baton to the next group, until they reach Mayagüez in the south west and return the same way to San Juan.

During the race I discovered I can run three miles without a break to walk, even with a lot of other runners and walkers around me and some even honking a horn really close to my ears. I also learned that running helps me stay calm; I thought about how to react to that very irritating sound. Instead of trying to run as fast as I could and leave them behind, I just slowed down and let them go ahead of me. I’m not fast enough to outrun them and I would get tired and start walking slowly. When they passed me and the horn was in front of me, not right next to my ear, it didn’t bother me so much anymore and I could keep running in peace. I wouldn’t have been able to run for so long with that noise in my ears.

Even running the whole race (I say run, but it’s really jogging, I’m not fast) I had to speed up at the end of the race, to finish the race in less than 40 minutes. We had to do one lap on the track to finish but the good thing is, that takes me because that’s where I run twice a week. I knew I could make it, it takes me three minutes at a moderate pace but I had two minutes. And there were people in the way. 

I put in my best effort and crossed the finish line in 39:44 minutes after the gunshot, but according to my watch, I finished in 39:22 minutes after I started. Either way, it was less than 40 minutes and the important thing is that I finished another race!

I still was not even close to my fastest time but I’m back under 40 minutes. Now I have to keep working hard but I’m moving in the right direction and with my coach’s help, I can get there.

Unknown's avatar

Published by mariacristinasanfeliu

I’m an aspiring writer still looking for exactly what I want to write about, with a lot of creativity, imagination and desire to write. I studied Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University where I explored many different sides of writing through my classes and extracurricular activities in order to narrow my search for an identity as a writer. I have written for Citrus TV Noticias and La Voz magazine, both of which gave me the chance to explore different mediums in which to write in. Through Citrus TV Noticias I also gained experience in translating from English to Spanish and vice versa, which is also something that I would be interested in working on since I am fluent in both of these languages. I was also an intern at Syracuse University Press where I got hands on experience in what goes into actually editing and publishing a book. Through out the last four years I have faced a lot of challenges, which helped chape the person I am today. After being in a tragic car accident, being in comma, having a Traumatic Brain Injury, and being in therapy for over a year, I am a new me, willing to face challenges and knowing how to deal with them. I want to write about my accident and life after it to help others, show them it can be done and help in any way I can.

Leave a comment