Shamrock Run 2012 (i.e. Katherine’s Birthday)

I finished the way I wanted to.

The palette for the run was perfect. The sun was shining bright in early March. The crowd was dressed in unique and beautiful varieties of green in ode to St. Patrick’s Day. My wife of four years was by my side as we celebrated her birthday of an unspecified amount. A few co-workers of various running talents were present and accounted for and last the mask was securely tied around my neck. Even though I did not train enough the days leading up to this run, I was in high spirits and tingled with excitement.

There were so many people running today and the line for late registrations we piled up until the very last moment before the race start. It must have been the weather and the chance of embracing the festive spirit of the day that called previous no shows to the brick laden start line. We all knew that four miles lay in front of us but yet we eagerly anticipated the finish line and the taste of mortality. Yes, mortality and not immortality because running reminds you quickly of how mortal, powerful, fragile and mortal again you can be.

So, the race begins and my wife and I along with a friend dodge through the maze of walkers and strollers. In a clearing, we run side by side by side each pacing our steps and keeping our stride. My wife sees some friends from church about 40 yards ahead and informs me. I like the flash sprint up to where they are to greet them in a traditional running past my pace salutation, “hehehello.” Of course, I suck in air before I say this so not to seem out of breath. They greet me back and after a two minute conversation, I fall back to where my wife it. However, by this time, I am grossly out of breath so she calmly passes me by. My friend and coworker, Joe keeps up with me but even he leaves me behind to pick up the gulps of breath I left many yards ago. So, I run on now using landmarks as my training companion.

Much later on, Joe taps me on the shoulder from behind. I am perplexed that I did not see when I passed him. He smiles and says that I probably passed him when he was in line for a Port-O-Jon. He had relieved himself and had seen fit to catch me up. We talk some more and once again him keeps going while I fall back. I even received a pleasant call from my mother who wanted to speak with my wife and wish her a Happy Birthday. I tell her Katie is probably at the finish line now and I am doing my best not to keep her waiting. Mummy laughs and cheers me on while on the phone. However, the cheering is making me laugh to much and tell her I will call back later.

Now, I am on the street where I know the finish line is soon upon me. I commit to my heart, soul, mind, shoe laces to finish the way I want to this time. I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me. Every run is special because you remember the little things as you go along. This run, I remember people cheering as if they knew that I was finishing this race, the way I wanted. Granted, the may have been cheering for friends and love ones but in that see of green, I knew someone was cheering for me. It was like God was cheering for me and even though I could have done better along the way, I was about to finish. What a quiet serenity as I crossed the finish line and turned my eyes in the crowd to find my wife. I hugged her, kissed her, told her how proud I was of her and that I loved her.

Happy Birthday/St. Patty’s Day Katherine.

Polar Run 2012

Run, run as fast as you can. I can’t help you I’m the running love bandit man?  Don’t worry, I know how the saying actually goes but I rather not get sued by Pixar or Disney.  So, I completed the Polar Run a few weekends ago and it was my best run to date.  My time was better, my pace was better and I felt boss afterward.

After going through my pre-run preparations including stretching, hydration and putting on my running bandit mask, I was ready to go.  I did notice this time while having the mask on before the race a few people had an honest look for concern when I glanced in their direction.  Oh well, its my thing so I rock the mask.  It’s kind of like the red head band Rambo would wear before going into hostile situations.  Before the run, I have to get my mind right and intimidate myself that I will do better than ever before.  I also pray a lot before a race because prayer changes things.  (Amen)

So, the run begins and I keep up very well with my wife, Katherine.  She has no problem doing these runs and normally I stop and get left behind.  That truth was still evident on this run, but I kept up more than the race before.  In my head, I sometimes think a mule could run faster than me so I pick up the pace.  During this run, there was a particular person who passed me a few times.  I made it my business to track that person down and pass them.  It’s interesting the looks people in their cars give you when they see you running.  Its the “I could never do that” look and it fuels me more than anything.  I have an app on my phone that tracked my pace and distance and gave me a vocal notification every five minutes.  When the lovely lady voice (I call her Janet) chimes in through my headphones and reveals my true progress, I respond by pushing harder.

Finally, I turn the bend and I see the finish line.  Even though I stop before the end, I finished strong and passed the person I wanted too.  As I approached the finish, I could see the time clock and my wife cheering me on.  I sprinted to the end like I was twelve years old again in a foot race with my childhood friends.  I felt exhilarated and kept saying to my wife, “that was awesome, I killed that run.”  It was such a good feeling to progress in my goal.

The next run is  this weekend which is St. Patrick’s Day and my wife’s birthday.  The plan as always is to do better and enjoy the festivities of the day.  I am so amazed at how God allows simple things to bring joy and fulfillment to our lives.