What do you do when you've signed up for a 5k and train for about 2 weeks, DON'T train for the following 2 months and then realize all of a sudden with an "oh shit" moment and matching facial expression that this 5k you'd signed up for with such gusto is THIS WEEKEND?
You push down the "oh shit" and you do it anyways. You make jokes about dying in Lamoille Canyon being at least a pretty way to go. Tell your sister that you want your son to go to Princeton (because why not?) and play for the Atlanta Braves (because have you met me?!), though not necessarily simultaneously. You make a carpool plan, you lace up your shoes, you hydrate and you do your damned best.
That's what I did. I made a lot of jokes, to hide the apprehension. I packed our overnight bag and my run bag because we were staying at my parents house the night before the race. The thinking was that if we stayed there Mason could sleep in when I had to leave at 5:30am to head to the canyon. (He, of course, woke up pretty much right when I left...sleep in...hah. Oh well, more playtime for Grandma & Grandpa.)
I laid out my "flat runner" and posted her to facebook, complete with hashtags. (#flatrunner, #becauseIcan, #runForfun) I went to bed early and then spent the entire night getting up with my darling toddler every couple hours because he was super needy all night, even though he'd previously gotten back into the habit of sleeping all night. Not that night.
I rode out with Jackie, a lifelong friend...literally; she's known me since I was a bambino. We got to the canyon, put on our race numbers, sunscreen, bug spray and brave faces. We met up with my cousin Mercy who runs 5 miles for fun in the mornings. She's not intimidating at all. Thin, runners body, big smile, cute little running outfit. (Good thing I love her, otherwise I'd have to hate her!)
We loaded the bus and waited until "go time" and then laughed and joked and talked about the beautiful view as the bus took us 3 miles up into the canyon and dumped us out.
All of a sudden it was time. Overall I did better than I expected. I ran more than I thought I would/could. I didn't die. I learned to use landmarks. I'd tell myself to push it and run until the next sign or pole or large rock. And I did it. Don't get me wrong, I walked too. Some of those hills probably learned new words from me as I cursed them and huffed and puffed. But I did it. And what really got my goose, I placed 2nd in my age group. I purposely haven't asked how many of us there were in my age group. I don't want to know. I placed. I got an award. There's a little medal hanging with my race bib on my bib holder. I finished. THAT was the goal. Goal achieved. I did it.
Mom, Dad, Grandma Peggy & Mason were waiting at the finish line. I ran into the Lamoille Grove and spotted them and it was awesome to see them there cheering me on. We hung out and waited for Katie to finish the half marathon (way to go kiddo!!) and then Mason and I headed home. Home where I begged him to nap and begged my legs to stop cramping. I'm really proud of myself for finishing, for not giving up and for going in the first place. Having not trained it would have been so easy to just not go. But I want this. So I did it. :)
Flat Runner
Race Shirt & Bib
Road selfie!
How gorgeous is this run?!
Crossing the finish line with a time of 48:35.
That's just over a 16 minute mile. My goal was a 15 minute mile but I didn't train so I'll take a 16!
My 2nd place award!
Mercy and I at the end. Love that cousin of mine!
I have a picture of Katie and I at the end too but this darn blog won't let me add it. I'll put it on the post about my sweet little sister doubling as my running coach. Stay tuned. ;)
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