sunday run

Hi Everyone, I wanted to share my thoughts on my race today.  There was a Rock n' Roll Half Marathon in RI that went on this morning. I decided at the last minute yesterday that I was going to do this race.  This was a huge event with lots of live bands along the route, food, a health expo, vendors and 10,000 people all looking to get the t-shirt and finisher metal.  I got up this morning and looked outside my window and it was pouring out (the wonder weather lady said a chance of rain in the afternoon).  My first thougths for about 5 seconds was disapointment and I though this is going to suck.  But, I knew that those were the thoughts and negative attitude that will make my race miserable. So, I smiled and said, Ok this is going to be a good day, after eating my breakfast to fuel me up, I put on my racing atire and attached my computer chip to my sneaker and pinned on my bib number of 9527, grabbed my yummy tasting gel, ipod and wallet and I was off to run.  On my way there which was only about half hour, I blasted some up beat music Van Halen came on the radio, Adel's new songs and others. I was singing along watching the windshield whipers try and catch up with the rain pouring on my windshield.  I was thinking, ok, I have ran in the rain before, all 10,000 of us are running in the rain. I felt energized, happy and ready to go.  I get there and there are so many people all very excited and happy to be there.  The energy and atmophere there is postive.  There are all sorts of runners from top athletes to people who are overweight who is becoming healthy and to accomplish something great.  The announcer is motivating everyone by yelling loudly along with the DJ playing songs like, "let's get this party started".  I am in my "carral" packed in like a herd of sheep and while I am already soaked and the race hasnt even started yet, I met some wonderful people, a guy from Indiana who travels to all the races, another one from upstate NY and a woman who came from Philly. Not one person complained about the weather or anything else.  The gun goes off and for the next 2 hours, everything in my world disappears, it is me, the road, rain, other runners, ipod, breathing and my own thoughts.  There is no thinking about work, bills, school just how I am feeling running like the wind.  I watch the scene around me, running in the city, then along the water then in a residential neighbor hood and through the part, it is a sea of people all with their own stories and thoughts and style of running, we are all looking for that finish line running towards a goal in life.  I am feeling absolutely wonderful, my sneakers are no longer dry from splashing in the puddles like I am 10 years old again.  My hair is dripping wet, clothes are sticking to me, it is windy and there are hills, I never felt better.  I pass bands who are hinding under canapies to keep dry, people on the side lines with there unbrellas waving signs, ringing cow bells and cheering us all on.  I finally see the 13 miles marker there is just .1 more to go up a steep hill. I see the finish line and hear all the crowds of people saying you got, keep going, you are almost there!  I finally cross that line at 1 hour and 56 minutes, I get that rush of 100 feelings, excitment, exhilerated, energy, tired, accomplishment, and overwhelming happiness.  I am handed a towel, water and my finishing metal.  That was one of the best races I have had running in the rain! 

Cheryl