Half-Around-The Bay

Savouring slowness

Apr 09, 2024

I ran my 15k race on Sunday, March 24^th. It was a chilly morning, but being in a mass of runners all wiggling and jiggling, getting ready for the start, it was warm and joyous.

It was finally here. After an intense flu, my left sinus finally cleared a few days before the race. I was as ready as I could be. Something always crops up during training. Life, health, and the weather try to bar me from my goal but not this time.

Thanks to my friend @Dr.CynthiaMiller, I was also clear of another major impediment: my negative mental state. I was struggling with some socked-in dark clouds overhead. I couldn’t seem to shake them on my own. She is gifted and helped me clear them. I was able to focus on running my race. I felt a mental lightness as I ticked off the kilometres and watched faster runners leave me in their dust.

It’s amazing to see the elite runners go screaming past in the opposite direction — already doubling back on the route while I’m so early in my race. I always give them some of my precious oxygen to cheer them on.

There were thousands ahead of me, very few behind. That was all okay—until I saw the truck that would pick up the pylons and road closure barricades not far behind those of us at the back of the pack. I’m not going to lie. That hurt a little.

Fortunately, along the course were pockets of enthusiastic spectators, funny signs, cowbells, cheering volunteers and friendly police officers. People handed out tissues for runny noses (brilliant!) and even electrolyte gels. Then there were long stretches of solitude, the sound of my own breath, and footsteps.

Near the halfway point, a woman was sitting inside her house, at her window, shouting encouragement. She saw each runner twice as we ran past, headed for the turnaround point. We had to climb a steep hill on the return. I felt fortunate to be a slow runner then because I was alone going past her house and could hear her words:

“Gooooo! Keep going! You can do it! You are such an inspiration!”

I waved and choked out a “Thank you!” through tears. I perked up; I felt a small surge of confidence and pride that propelled me homeward.

Crossing the finish line, I felt great, though gassed.

I accomplished my goal and immediately set my sights on the next!