It was great to be home during Halloween weekend — and fun to be a part of all of that is happening in this great community that we live in. I love to run a race on the holidays as the tshirts and festivity of it all just makes me so happy. SO – in support of the Clapp Memorial Library we headed up to the Common and I put on my Wonder Woman costume, knowing it would fit right in with all the costumes around! 🙂
We were so happy to see Trish & Jacob Sorber, friends of ours that we have known since Marin & Eliza were in Schuyler’s kindergarten class. The twins are always so amazing — I remember the comment Jacob made to me when Schuyler went to the girls birthday party — “We think Schuyler has replaced Diego!” — the girls just love Schuyler. 🙂 He is such a shy kid and not mixing with all the girls right now – so he kept his distance and refused a photo op. Oh well. I got some great photos of all the kids! Jacob is a cancer survivor and it was great to share my experiences and some how when you talk to others that have experienced what you have gone through in cancer treatment – it truly creates a special bond, one I never would have known before. For that I am thankful. I love the velour hippie outfit full of color and Jacob’s dyed bluish purple hair. 🙂
The kids got their dash in first and the day was so clear and crisp. Schuyler actually put some speed on his run and it was good to see! 🙂 He loves soccer, skiing and all sports — so great to have an active boy! I think he is actually looking forward to skiing, and is going up to Vermont with his good friend Aidan next weekend to get that winter excitement brewing! 😉
Then we lined up for the Monster Mash 5K – a 3.1 mile run around some side streets starting and ending at the Library. I meet this girl Jill, a triathlete – who everyone was eyeing as she is the fast girl in town. 🙂 She was so sweet and it was great to connect once I chatted with her about different athletic events we had done at the same time. She was in Clearwater at the World’s 1/2 Ironman Championship after qualifying at Timberman. Both races I had done at the same time. She said she was so happy to finally meet me — such a great energy to connect with – hopefully we will connect to train when I am feeling better down the road.
Trisha ran with me for a little while and then I had to stop and tie my shoe. My stomach wasn’t feeling so hot and probably from the crash earlier my breathing just wasn’t on — and I really didn’t feel like pushing much — so I eyed the corners of each turn and looked at my Garmin for the mileage and eventual finish. Steve could tell I wasn’t pushing and got some great photos of me floating to the finish. 🙂 I kept my Chicago Marathon track jacket on the whole way as the weather was definitely a bit chilly for a tank top. The last part of the race was uphill on Route 181 and the wind was at our face as we ran up the last hill. Not actually a PR flat course for some you could hear grumbling about the “hill” at the finish. 🙂 But me, I love hills – it is definitely an advantage to love hills and love challenges. Makes you stronger in the end. 🙂
It was great to see Steve and get my big hug at the finish — 🙂 23 minutes for a 5K – just about a 7 min/mile – not to bad for a jog around town. Can’t wait to feel better so I can push harder. I have a feeling when I come back from this I will be stronger than ever. I just feel it.
