The Color Run

 I ran the Color Run this weekend.  It is billed as the "Happiest 5K on the planet."  Not sure about that, but it was fun.  

I ran it with my son Noah.  And by that I mean I cajoled him to do it in place of his sister who had dance rehearsal, drove him to the race, showed him our designated post-race meet up spot and then watched him take off in front of me at the start line.  He ran, I ran way behind him.  I saw him once on the course.  As I was crossing the bridge, he had already made the loop at the base of the bridge and was crossing in front of it.  As I proceeded to run that loop, I realized just how far ahead of me he was.

After running thorough all of the color stations, I met up with my colorful dude at the finish line.  

There are no clocks at The Color Run.  Noah timed himself on his watch. Even with a fall at the blue color station, he PR'd with 28:22;  8 minutes faster than his 5K time at the SOS Anchor Run (his last organized 5K).  I was so far behind he was starting to get nervous at the wait spot, but he calmed down when he remembered that I had told him I was going to be slow.  I kept my word.  I was slow.  I found him at the spot.  Then went off for the post run Color Party.

Another Birthday

As I approach another birthday, I am looking back on this past year and I realize with respect to goals, running, and getting things done, forty-one wasn't such a banner year. Yes, I got the Newport half marathon finished in the last days of my fortieth year.  Since then, I have had a lot of excuses.  First it was cold, then wet, then hot.  It's been so long since I have been running regularly that I am about to take my 13.1 magnet off of my car; at this point it is almost embarrassing to have it there. 

I am not ready to give up on running.  I have a running date set for tomorrow.  I have warned them that I am slow.  I probably won't want to do it tomorrow, but with people waiting on me, I will show up.  I think we are going to run my 2.25 mile loop.  That's a familiar favorite so it should be a good way to get back into it.  Hopefully, these ladies won't be scared off by my slowness.  A group of running friends is very motivating.  It would help get me out the door on the cold days that I know are coming.

So I am going back to an old mantra:

And a new blog name:  The Sometimes Runner

Things I Remembered About Running

I have been working my way back to running.  The early morning spin classes were fun, but early.  And I had to drive there.  Random people would ask me if I ran and I would have to sheepishly say, "well, kind of."  I have been nagging my husband who is supposed to run a half marathon this month to get out and do some running before the event (pot, kettle.)  And I am signed up for The Color Run in October.  I have friends that are doing some most excellent running (and posting about it on Facebook.)  I know they are not deliberately rubbing their running in my face, and I celebrate their successes, but I feel guiltier and lazier with each successive post.  So I went for a run. And I remembered a few things while I was out there.

• Even if you do nothing else all day, you feel like you have accomplished something.
• If you have a whole list of things to do and run anyway, you feel like Wonder Woman.
• No matter how many bumps and bulges there are, you feel strong in your running clothes.
• It ensures you take a shower, no matter what.
• Writing ideas?  Sure.
• Your dog really enjoys the post-run cool down walk.  And so do you.
• It sucks to be starting again.
• I am a runner.