Run Like the Wind–Running the Spar 10K in Budapest

With the flamenco recitals, romantic getaways to Croatia, trapeze lessons, and music festivals, 2018 has been a year of firsts. I added to the list when I ran in the Spar 10K. Budapest hosts a few major marathons over the year, and I’d say it’s a great place for it. What better route could you ask for than running up and down the banks of the sparkling Danube, past Buda Castle and Parliament?

The Beginning

Before this, I had really only ever flirted with running. And then I repeatedly stood running up for our dates and stayed in to Netflix and chill solo. So when my friends first suggested I join them for the 10K I had loads of excuses: I didn’t have enough time to train, I didn’t know anything about preparing for a race, and most importantly…I was not a runner.

But with their encouragement and Active’s 5k to 10K app, I started taking it day by day. And I started surprising myself. I found a good pace and learned to control my breathing. I ran miles without stopping. I discovered beautiful streets of Budapest on foot that had been hidden to me before. And with each mile gained, I felt more and more self respect grow (except for when I slacked off the last couple weeks of training, hah).

The Race day

Before I signed up for this 10K, I thought it was a little silly to pay to run when I could just do it for free–but the anticipation, the sense of camaraderie with my friends who had encouraged and trained with me, the chance to prove to myself that I could follow through with something…it made it worth it.

I tried to control my nerves as I found the women’s changing rooms, pinned on my number with shaking hands, repinned it once I realized the bottom strip was my ticket for the baggage tent, and met up with my friends. As we crunched over the dry grass to the starting line I fought to block out the running horror stories of mid-race diarrhea and twisted ankles and tried to focus on my strategy (aka, keep moving forward and try not to throw up). And then we were off.

The run itself is a blur in my mind, aside from the fresh air coming off of the Danube, the tartness of the sugar tablets at the refreshment stations, the steady burn in my legs…and the emotional ups and downs. First I wanted to cry because I thought I couldn’t do it. Then I wanted to cry because I was doing it. And sometimes I was overcome with a flash of gratitude for the cheering onlookers doling out high-fives and cheers for everybody running past. Sometimes when I wanted to stop their claps and cheers helped me go a few more steps until I could find a rhythm again. Anyways, it was emotional. And seeing C at the finish line was too sweet (it was nice to have someone’s arms to collapse into).

The Conclusion

Even if I don’t compete in another race, I’m so glad I did this one. Before, I had thought that there were some things that just weren’t in the cards for me. But I was reminded that you can work towards anything. Setting goals, staying in a supportive community, and just showing up will take you places.Glory to God for giving me a glorious body that could carry me through, for friends who give encouragement and accountability, and for my dad’s stubbornness that helped me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I don’t know what comes next in my revitalized relationship with exercise, but whatever it is, I’ll run with it.