Monday, October 8, 2007

Confessions of a Local Race Runner

I did a run this weekend that was near my house. It was only a 5k and since I needed to run 8 miles this weekend as part of my half-marathon training, I ran to the race, ran the race and then ran home. My plan was to leave the house by 7:45 so that I had plenty of time to run the 2.5 miles up there and be early for the race that started at 8:30. That of course didn't happen, why would it when you have a 1 year old! She actually slept in until 7:40, I got her all gussied up and ready for her first race (she had to look cute for pictures!) and we left the house by 8, with plenty of provisions to keep her occupied for the next two hours! We hauled it up there, I didn't realize it, but I ran faster up there than I did on the way home. As we were getting close to the start of the race, we saw lots of the participants walking from the parking lots of nearby stores to the site of the starting line. One participant in particular totally caught me off guard. As she was crossing the street with her friend, she slowed up so that she could finish her cigarette before getting any closer to the race start. Are you kidding me? A cigarette BEFORE a race, I wonder how she felt after that first beating of a hill?!?!?!? I couldn't believe my eyes, I have heard stories of people I think are athletic, but smoke and I believed it, but this was just crazy. Mind you, she did not look what I would call athletic, but she was on the way to a race, can't you wait until afterwards? I am not, nor have I ever been, a smoker, so maybe I am missing something. Anyway, SD had a fabulous time at the race, she evidently believes that she is Ms. Cute Adorable of America, because she waves when we do our runs. Maybe she is practicing for her future! The photographer at the race snapped some pictures of us, so as soon as I can find them, I will post one!

2 comments:

Tess said...

I see that smoking thing ALL THE TIME and I can never believe it either. We are going to do the Turkey Trot this year with AD but I'm thinking we better stick with the 3 miler. You never know when she will demand to be released from the stroller.

Erin said...

I love the Turkey Trot. You should try the one in cow-town, it is less crowded!