Tripping

Reference

You have that race tomorrow, don’t you?

Yes, Mom. The Race for the Cure is tomorrow.

Well, just be careful. Don’t go tripping and falling and hurting yourself.

Well, I really wasn’t planning on doing that, Mom.

Oh, I know. But still, be careful.

This scene is basically repeated with my Dad. 

The next morning, before I leave for the race, Mr. Penney says

Now don’t trip and fall!

Now what string of events have happened to make people think that I am an accident waiting to happen?!?!? (In Mr. Penney’s defense, he was just being funny. I think….)

I get to the race site by 7AM and wander around for a bit I have never been to one of these things before, so it was something to explore. There is no need for me to go to registration, as I registered early enough to have my number and t-shirt sent to me in the mail. A number of the corporate sponsors are there giving away stuff to everyone. Hats from McDonalds, bagels from Panera, yogurt from Yoplait, etc. It is a carnival-like atmosphere really.

I get to the actual starting point of the race and see two signs: 6-8 minute pace here and 8-10 minute pace here. Now, I just naturally assume, by the lowest number that was post, that these were per mile and not per kilometer. After doing the race, I may have been wrong about that. Can anyone tell me for sure?

In any case, since this is my first race, I go with the slower group, which is further back from the starting line. There are a number of people there, but there is still plenty of room to move around. I am doing some stretching to get ready for the race and to keep warm. I wish that I had some gloves!

Time gets closer to the start of the race, and it is getting really crowded. As in, I can barely move. Holy cow! I am going to trip and fall! Dammit!

BANG! The race has started!

Well, the race has started for those up front. For me, towards the back, I am just jogging in place, because forward motion is not an option at this point.

I make it past the starting line, and then past someone with a stroller. What the…? Why is someone with a stroller in front? It’s a logjam around this person!

I keep heading down Shawan Road, and make the left onto York Road. There is a group of young girls that are already walking. We have not even made the 1 mile marker yet! And how is it that they are ahead of me?

Wait a minute. My nose has stopped working! I have been fighting a cold or allergies (I am not sure which) for over a week, and my nose has chosen this moment to shutdown on me. Efforts to unclog it are to no avail. I am a mouth-breather today.

At the one mile mark, I hear someone yell, “9 minutes and 30 seconds.” Well, I was hoping for better, but whatever. Right now, I am still just trying to get past other people. Maybe I should have started in the 6 to 8 minute pace group.

I see a guy with a dark t-shirt with EA on the back that I select as my pace setter, as well as my battering ram, as whatever openings he finds, I go through right behind him.

Uh oh! Herniated oblique! Coming back on me! Dammit! Not the time! Should I go off to the side and just walk the rest of the way?

No.

Two mile mark.

I am still following my pace setter, but not as closely. My oblique has calmed down, so I have that to be thankful for.

We round a corner, and I lose sight of my pace setter, so I choose the guy that has just passed me.

Three mile mark.

I see a digital timer: 00:25:30-something.

Finish line is ahead! With lanes! People are on the side cheer their racers on. I look around, but see no one that I recognize.

I make it over the finish line, and start to walk. I tear off the stub on the bottom of my number, and hand it over.

The results were posted this week, and it says my time is 25:50.5. Not bad. Though I don’t see myself knitting a hat while running anytime soon.

I promise, fiber related stuff soon. I finished the sleeve to Mr. Penney’s sweater!