Not Hot Chocolate

So…Today was the Hot Chocolate Road Race for Safe Passage. I don’t know why I was so nervous but I was. I woke with wind in my ears and concern that was all in my head. I haven’t run outside in ages. Treadmills don’t give you cracks in the sidewalks, unexpected hills, uneven pavement, face-slapping leaves, wind in your face, nor other crazy runners vying for spaces around you. It’s completely different and I felt completely unprepared. My rocking husband bought a bagel just so I could use the restroom for one last nerve-induced pee. Once at the race site I searched for S. I wasn’t going to run with her but I knew it would make me feel better just to see her before all the madness began. Not only did I find her, I got to hang out with her, waiting for the IGuessThisIsIt start. We laughed about not so fauxs and Coming Out. It helped relieved the tension. Big Time.
Once the race started I felt bad I left S behind, but I knew I had to keep pace or else. I knew I would need to push myself the entire way. Believe it or not, that was my downfall, utterly and completely. Even at mile one I realized I was running too fast. I knew I would never last at that frantic pace, but I couldn’t slow down. My mistake was I was getting caught up in the speed of racers around me. I’m out of shape. I’m not the runner I once was, even for that briefest of times. My favorite moments during the race? Finding my husband by the side of the road, searching for my face. I saw him before he saw me. To surprise him I ran right up to him and announced, “kiss a stranger!” as I planted a wet one on him. It was a great pick-me-up and left me smiling for the rest of the run.
I have no idea how long it took me to finish. My PR was not important to me at all. I finished, handed in my “tag” and kept walking. Looking for S, looking for my husband. Unbelievably, I found them both within minutes. Did we get hot chocolate? Did we join the post race festivities? Did we search out award winners and speeches? No. We went to DD so my hubby could treat us to iced (?!) coffee and a gingerbread latte. Thank yooooooouuuuu! We talked running and racing while talking to the carseat locals. I think I even found S her future husband! 🙂

This “race” wasn’t about racing at all. I wanted to do something to announce my return to the run, I wanted to do something with my legs for a good cause and I wanted to cheer on my friend. This is something that deserves repeating. I am proud of my friend. Like I told her, she has huge courage – bigger than mine. She has never run outside. She has never run without music. This was her first “run race” and she hasn’t been running all that long. Me? I wouldn’t have had the guts to take on anything public, anything I’d have to register for! If anyone has read my LLS running blog, you’ll know I stressed about running without music for weeks before I actually did it. I literally had to ween myself off my mp3 player! I am proud of my friend.

Hey, S. Did you see the evening news!?
Hey, J. Thank you for your never-ending support. You so rock my world.