Sunday, May 27, 2012

Fast Run, Slow Walk

I've had less than three hours of sleep. But I'm determined to bang out this race, 5 miles, mile by mile. I'm putting on my baseball cap, turning on my iPod, and doing just that.

I'm at the Run to Remember. Plan A is 6:50 miles. Plan B is 6:53 miles. And then I have Plan C, and M, and Q. Plan Z is always to finish.

I bounce at the race start to stay warm and loose. Over my music, I hear the announcer calling out a message: "Sarah? Your fiance is looking for you. Wait... is he already your fiance? Has he proposed? Did I ruin the surprise? Oh here's Sarah. She says yes! He went to Jared's!" The crowd laughs.

The gun goes off and I take the first mile strong. 6:40. My hamstrings are tight, but each mile comes effortlessly. And the course is the best of Boston. Government Center, Charles Street, Boston Common.

The last mile is long. I can't see the finish line. But it's a straight away, so I keep pumping my legs and I keep hoping that I'll see the finish line. Finally I do and finally I'm there. 28 seconds under my personal best.

I get my medal, my coconut water (Free coconut water? Gimme.), and my bag. I turn on my phone and call M. And I walk home. The long way.

2 comments:

  1. Fantastic post. I felt as if I were there with you. Congratulations on a great run and a new personal best. Love your running life.

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  2. Congratulations! I love it....Great success....All due to the big guy! Your pal, Don Megerle

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