From ACL Recovery to 5K Finish Line: My First Race Experience
Shortly after completing physical therapy for ACL reconstruction surgery, I decided to take a leap of faith and sign up for my first 5K. At the time, it felt like an enormous challenge. My running form was somewhere between a medium-paced limp and a slow jog. I had never run that far before, but I was determined to see it through.
I chose a race close to home—the Memorial Hermann 3.1 Armadillo Run 5K, in THe Woodlands TX, which took place in October. I followed a beginner-friendly 5K training plan and picked up a pair of Hoka running shoes (which I talk about in a previous post).
Pre-Race Preparation
In the weeks leading up to race day, my brother-in-law and I decided to run the course as best we could to familiarize ourselves with it. I highly recommend this if your race route is open to the public—just make sure it’s safe from traffic. Doing a trial run takes a lot of pressure off. You can stop as needed and better manage your energy on race day.
Running the course ahead of time gave me confidence that my goal—finishing in under 30 minutes—was achievable.
Tapering Week and Pre-Race Jitters
The week before the race, I tapered my runs and focused on slower-paced efforts. Surprisingly, running slow was harder than I expected—probably due to the excitement building up. A few days before the event, I found out the race had sold out. Over 700 participants were registered, and that made me even more nervous. I had joined run clubs before, but I had never run with that many people. I did not know what to expect. I picked up my packet a day or 2 before and went to the runners expo. that was pretty cool, race participants get a lot of free samples of food , drinks , and coupons to local restaurants or running related products. I recommended checking those out if available.
The night before the race, I ate pasta or maybe Mediterranean food (more on race nutrition in a future post). I tried to get to bed early, but pre-race nerves kept me awake. That’s normal—if it happens to you, don’t worry.
We left the house by 5 a.m. to arrive early. I’m so glad we did. The park was already buzzing with runners, supporters, and excitement. The energy was contagious. I had a bit of an upset stomach—nerves!—but arriving early gave me plenty of time to take care of business without stress.
I had a light bite before the start: a cookies and cream Honey Stinger Waffle (I’ll be reviewing these and some energy gels in a later post). After some dynamic stretches and a short warm-up jog, I was ready.
From what I read online , is you never want to pick race day as the day you try something new, whether its clothes, shoes or breakfast. On race day go for tried and true. So that is exactly what i did and it worked out great.
Race Day Experience
The starting area was packed. Runners of all ages lined up—some seasoned, some first-timers like me. The crowd had cowbells, air horns,funny/motivational signs and tons of energy. Sponsor tents lined the finish line. The weather was perfect for a morning run. I eventually made my way to the starting line after the first 1 mile racers had finished up. I found out the race had pace groups organized by estimated finish time. This is where I made a rookie mistake.
Not wanting to be in anyone’s way, I lined up in a slower pace group. When the starting gun went off, I found myself behind a lot of runners moving at a pace slower than mine. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with running at your own speed, I had a time goal and weaving around people early in the race cost me time and energy. It also threw off my rhythm.
If you’re aiming for a specific finish time, make sure to line up in the appropriate pace group—it makes a big difference.
The Course
The course was mostly flat and scenic. We ran past several parks and along a beautiful waterway in The Woodlands, TX. The biggest challenge was pacing. The adrenaline from the crowd makes it tempting to sprint right out of the gate—but that energy can burn out fast.
The final stretch included a bridge with a noticeable incline. It was manageable, but tougher than I remembered during training. I powered through and finished strong.
My official race time was 30:17, with an average pace of 9:45 per mile. I didn’t quite hit my sub-30 goal, but I was incredibly proud of what I had accomplished. I am certain that if I had lined up properly I would have crushed the goal, but you live and learn.
Post-Race and Reflection
The post-race celebration was a great surprise. There were plenty of sponsors giving out food, drinks, and some fun swag. My family was there to cheer me on at the finish line, which made it even more special.
Crossing that finish line was more than just a physical milestone—it was deeply emotional. Just six months earlier, I couldn’t walk without crutches. I couldn’t shower without help. ACL recovery was not just physically exhausting—it was mentally draining. There were so many “what ifs”:
What if I never heal properly? What if I can’t walk right again?
But finishing that 5K erased those doubts. At that moment I realized what I can do.
I had ran a 5K.
I proved to myself that I could come back stronger. That moment lit a fire in me. I was already thinking about what was next. So, I signed up for a 10K.
Final Thoughts for New Runners
If you’re recovering from injury or just starting your running journey, let me be proof that you can do it. Start where you are. Take it day by day. Set realistic goals, prepare smartly, and don’t be afraid of race day nerves—they’re part of the experience.
Stay tuned for my next post where I share how I trained for my first 10K and what I learned from pushing my limits even further.
