High on Life!

Tonight I ran my first post-baby race with my Mom, Dad, (uncle) Kevin, and Dave. In hindsight, it was fantastic. During the race, I was struggling to feel strong and graceful. The 5k "scramble" coursed along the Connecticut River, on a paved trail and through the woods. Race conditions: hot and sweaty, not too big a crowd, and overall pretty quiet. As mentioned, I've been running a bit - a few miles here and there, nothing significant, but felt it was time to register for an organized event and get officially back in the game. I fare better with a clear goal, and have lots of supportive family who consider races social events.

The race was tricky because I didn't have my iPhone with music or the sports tracking app that notes my distance and pace. There were no mile markers (or none that I saw), and I had no watch. (Guess I was taking the minimalist route.) All I could see were the people passing me, and I felt like I was sucking pond water. But I also felt that I was running pretty hard. I thought of the Runners World magazines I've been leafing through, and their 'rah rah running' attitude, and powered through.

I love you Emmeline

The course had looped around so I figured at least we were halfway done. Then a bunch of elite runners (you know, the guys with lean, chiseled bods) lapped me, and I thought, You've got to be kidding. I have to loop around again?! My soul was crushed. I started repeating a mantra: "I love you Edie. I love you Emmeline" to keep propelling forward. It was difficult to not walk, but I didn't. I came upon a guy walking, and I said out loud "C'mon you can do it!", which sounds cheesy but he started running again, and thanked me cheering him on. I told him it felt good to hear those words myself. Cheering crowds go a long way for a runner's mental state; a quiet course is harder to keep the energy up.

I love you Dave

My goal was to finish under 30 minutes, and I crossed the finish line at 26:40. I was impressed! Throughout the race, I had NO idea where I stood, but you have to remember that you don't see all those behind you. I met up with Dave, my Mom, Dad, and Kevin at the finish line/beer tent. Mom and Kevin both placed for their divisions, and we hung around the Hartford waterfront drinking Harpoon and eating Moe's burritos. It was a great ending, and my mom wrangled me into running another 5k on Sunday.

I love you Edie, and Curious George!

By the way, those elite runners who lapped me? They got off track and had to loop around to get back on the course. Yep, that's why I don't want to lead the pack....