Better to Laugh

I ran the 5K, but I missed the preferential seeding time by 27 seconds.  I was feeling pretty good waiting for the start.  The first half mile was tough; the 25 degree air was hard on the lungs until I got warmed up.  My sunglasses fogged up after I did get warm, and I couldn’t see my watch; I eventually just took them off.  I also found out that if you don’t take all the straight paths and cut the corners short (shortest distance between two points), you can actually add at least a tenth of a mile to the course (according to my GPS watch that my wonderful husband got me for Christmas).  I didn’t run my smartest race, but I am a novice runner, so I am not too disappointed.  My husband suggested I go ahead and send in my time to the seeding committee.  All they can say is “no,” right?  I hope they don’t laugh too hard.

In order to get a preferential start in the One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon (half marathon), I have to run a 5K in less than 28 minutes.  That time is not breaking any land speed records, but it is fast for this previous non-runner.   I have walked/jogged (mostly walked) more than a dozen mini marathons.  Without the preferential start, it takes me almost an hour just to get to the start line (30,000 people registered). 

Tomorrow morning is the 5K; the time will be close.  It doesn’t help that it will be around 25 degrees at the start, I have cramps, my boobs hurt, and I feel bloated.  Oh, and I did a Tonya Harding on myself and rammed my knee into the corner of a metal bleacher seat two nights ago.  It is bruised, but it doesn’t hurt anymore to use it.  I will run my hardest and count on the good Lord to keep me from injury.  Whether I make it tomorrow or not, I feel great about my running progress.  A year and a half ago, I wasn’t even able to run three miles consecutively.  Even if I don’t make my time, I am grateful that I am healthy enough to even try.

It has been cold for so long!  I run inside when it is below freezing; this winter I have been running inside a lot.  Usually there are more 35 to 40 degree teasers in February.  We got a couple of those days last weekend.  I ran outside on Saturday; it felt wonderful to breathe in the fresh air!  I wanted to run on the middle school track, but when I got there, I found it still covered with snow.  So I headed back home to run on the Monon Trail, an urban greenway.  My husband had already decided to run the Monon.  By the time I ran to the entrance of the trail, it was dusk.  I was only running about a mile of the trail itself, so I wasn’t too worried.  As I got to the entrance, my husband was leaving the trail.  He said he didn’t realize it was me at first and thought, “Who is that crazy person getting on the trail at this time of day?”  Then he realized it was me and answered his own question, “Oh, it’s my crazy wife.”  We smiled as we ran past each other, and he shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “What are you doing out here?”  After he had gotten his miles in, he back tracked and ran my last 3/4 mile with me; he’s just sweet like that.   I can’t wait for more outdoor running days!