I inherited the strange trait - I think from my dad - of involving myself in athletic events that I am not necessarily prepared for. Then I do them, and I do fine, but it all would have been easier and more fun if I had actually trained for them. See, for example, the 15-kilometer Columbia Classic Moonlight Run I did three years in a row, without ever training for it. Brilliant.
And then yesterday, I did the Sabino Canyon Sunset Run, all 7.4 miles of it, without having run more than 4 miles at a time on any given day in the last several years.
I guess I just don't have the patience for true long-distance running anymore. Or maybe Miriam and Magdalena don't, since they always have to come with me. It makes me sad, too, because 7 miles used to be no big deal for me.
But that's how I knew I could do it, last night in the canyon. I knew my body would remember how to run more than 4 miles at once, because it used to do it all the time, ten years ago.
That said, I was so very excited for this run. I haven't done any kind of race or run since having kids, so I was really looking forward to a gorgeous run at sunset in a beautiful canyon with hundreds of other people.
Here I am at the starting line with Miriam. She and Magdalena and Jeremy got to play while I ran. The course was a 7.4-mile out-and-back, with gently rolling hills turning into a very steep uphill for the last 1.75 miles out.
This was the setup for the girls to watch for me about 100 meters before the finish line. I didn't really notice them there as I approached until I heard Miriam's little voice saying "Go, Mama!" So encouraging! I could have used the help way back on the huge hill.
This is not me. This is the lady behind me. Jeremy got all set up to take a picture but since it was getting dark, the camera didn't actually take the picture until I had already passed. Oh well. Just take my word for it - I finished.
Even though I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for this run, and even though it almost killed me, I still really enjoyed it. Thanks for telling me about this race, Camille!
And then yesterday, I did the Sabino Canyon Sunset Run, all 7.4 miles of it, without having run more than 4 miles at a time on any given day in the last several years.
I guess I just don't have the patience for true long-distance running anymore. Or maybe Miriam and Magdalena don't, since they always have to come with me. It makes me sad, too, because 7 miles used to be no big deal for me.
But that's how I knew I could do it, last night in the canyon. I knew my body would remember how to run more than 4 miles at once, because it used to do it all the time, ten years ago.
That said, I was so very excited for this run. I haven't done any kind of race or run since having kids, so I was really looking forward to a gorgeous run at sunset in a beautiful canyon with hundreds of other people.
Here I am at the starting line with Miriam. She and Magdalena and Jeremy got to play while I ran. The course was a 7.4-mile out-and-back, with gently rolling hills turning into a very steep uphill for the last 1.75 miles out.
This was the setup for the girls to watch for me about 100 meters before the finish line. I didn't really notice them there as I approached until I heard Miriam's little voice saying "Go, Mama!" So encouraging! I could have used the help way back on the huge hill.
This is not me. This is the lady behind me. Jeremy got all set up to take a picture but since it was getting dark, the camera didn't actually take the picture until I had already passed. Oh well. Just take my word for it - I finished.
Even though I wasn't as prepared as I should have been for this run, and even though it almost killed me, I still really enjoyed it. Thanks for telling me about this race, Camille!
