This Race was Dedicated to all of My Little Buddies, their Families and especially All of Our Angels guarding over us.
"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race."
Jay Foonberg, 72 year old runner
Feeling somewhat long of tooth over my 10K performance this past Saturday, I received the above Daily Quote from RunnersWorld.com this morning. What a wonderful freeing perspective to have! Admittedly, I thought I had that same perspective but maybe not quite where it matters: in my heart, not my mind!
So, based on its meaning, I asked myself this question: “Did I do the best I could with what I have?” Of course, my answer is yes. I did my best, I did not cheat myself. Therefore, it is with a smile on my face and truth in my heart that I tell you this past Saturday I ran the “Flirts with Dirt” 10K race. My time: 1:10:07, for a pace of 11:18 per mile; now on to the report.
Report: Flirts with Dirt 10K
The 5K started at 7:30am, the 10K at 8am, and here it was 8:15 and still no start. From what I heard, the race director was waiting those few extra minutes to allow the hard core 5Ker’s the opportunity to run the 10K also (several of the younger runners had signed up for both races). Just as soon as that thought crossed my mind, suddenly without warning, at least none what I heard, the race started; we were off.
As mentioned in the race description we started the race going down a sledding hill, around a soccer field at the bottom, and down a dirt road toward the head of the trail. Those of us in the back of the pack heard someone holler “if you’re going to pass you’d better do it now, this is as wide as the trail gets” Since the trail was only 5 or 6 feet or so wide at that point, I began to wonder just how narrow the trail really was. I soon found out.
What this? I am already walking, and not even a mile has passed. Then I heard someone holler, “A snake, it’s a snake!” No, not the reptile, but the trail; narrow of girth and just a winding as a snake slithering through the grass, runners were backed up for about 50, no maybe 70 deep, and it only got worse from there on. So, I zoned out.
Slowly, but most wonderfully, the miles passed, or was it my Angels carrying me over the bunched up gang of runners? I do believe so. Snaking trails, though over grown with weeds bent over, were well marked. Lining the trail, small ponds dotted the inner forest landscape here and there, and I think we crossed over the same stream twice, or was it three times. The surroundings captivated my heart, when suddenly a warning scream woke me from my dream. “Ahhhhhh, Lookout! Mud, I just fell and busted my butt” (I cannot repeat the runner’s actual words). I started to chuckle, thinking who cares as long as you’re not hurt. Mud is very becoming a trail race for sure. Besides, my “Dirty Girl” gaiters were doing their job.
Awakening from my trace like state, I noticed I passed several other runners; how so, I do not know. I was at mile marker 6; two tenths of mile to go, I started my kick.
Rounding the final bending, about 100 yards long and at about 10 or 15 degree incline was the back side of the dreaded sledding hill. I didn’t care, no pain I felt, only the burn of my quads and calves as they did their job. Oh how I love it. We crossed the finish line; all of my Little Buddies and Angels are winners, even if Ol’ Gj didn’t take first place! Below are a couple of pictures a friend of mine took
Here's Ol Gj at the finish line. Notice the pictures around my neck? They are all of the Little Buddies I ran the race for (actually all of them, but I only had these pictures I could wear). I will be wearing more throughout my scheduled races. (Our angels names are on our Angels Rainbow shirt underneath)
Here's one of our Angels Rainbow shirt. If you look closely you can make out some of the names (Click on the picture for a larger view)
Speaking of my Little Buddies and our Angels, would you please consider making a generous donation today to the Band of Parents? If you prefer to make an on line donation just follow their link above, oOr if you rather you can mail your donation to me and I'll forward it to the appropriate people (Please make sure to make all checks payable to the Band of Parents and do not send cash).
Till later, God Bless and Rest Peacefully in His Arms.
Gj
Camping: Missus Gj and I will be camping at the state park where the race is being held this weekend. We both are looking forward to a couple of days of relaxation. Nah! I don’t think that will happen, but we are excited that we are getting away for a couple of days. It’s been quite a while since we’ve be been camping, but I never remember it being so labor intensive…Oh well J I am sure we’ll have a few stories to share with you when we get back.
