Running Man 2

My cell phone’s alarm went off — it was finally here.

Race day.

It was 6:45 a.m., the race (Fraser’s July 19 Run Drugs Out of Town 5K) wouldn’t start for nearly three more hours, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time.

After all, this was the first 5K I was going to run in four years, and there was something I needed to do — stretch, stretch and stretch some more.

Pretty much every running coach I spoke with for my series of running stories this summer couldn’t stress enough the importance of stretching — especially during interviews for my latest installment on preventing and treating injuries.

The next one, by the way, will have more helpful hints for race day and the week leading up to it.

So I woke up and did some stretches. Then ate a light breakfast. Stretched again. Got my gear together and drove to the registration spot. As soon as I received my T-shirt and number, I stretched again. I wandered the grounds for a bit, then, guess what — still some more time for stretching.

I was even stretching a little bit in the big crowd at the starting line as we all anxiously awaited the beginning of the race. (That's yours truly there in the headband, click the photo for a larger view ... or don't.)

And you know what? It all paid off.

Most of my training has been plagued with shin splints, strained leg muscles and other annoying aches and pains. But that’s usually because I don’t spend as much time stretching as all the experts have been suggesting.

So I finally fully took the advice I’ve been writing about and felt great — not only halfway through the race, but also as I crossed the finish line and even walking around afterwards.

Now I can apply my lessons learned and increase my goals as I train for one more 5K in the fall. I can successfully check off running the entire race without hurting myself and now look ahead to improving on my pace and time (30 minutes, 50 seconds).

In the meantime, here’s another bunch of local, upcoming races and events for you to check out. For more information about each, and a list of other races, check out www.runmichigan.com.

July 25 — Heart of the Hills 5K run/walk and 10K run, Bloomfield Hills

July 25 — Gopher the Gold 5K/10K run and kids fun run, Shelby Township

Aug. 1 — ACT for Autism 5K run and 1 mile walk, Bloomfield Hills

Aug. 2 — Eastpointe Lions Club Ox Roast Run 5K fun run and 1 mile walk, Eastpointe

Aug. 6 — Stony Creek Distance Run 5K run and 1 mile run, Shelby Township