Everybody Needs a Rabbit

Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer 5K

Distance: 5K
Start time: 7:15 am
Run Duration: 32:21 minutes
Pace: 10.07 minutes/mile
Temperature: 82 degrees
Humidity: 75%
Location: Downtown, Houston

After 9 hours of fitful sleep, my alarm gave me the signal to rise and get ready to make my way downtown. I'd hoped to feel more rested but I've got so much unsettled in my psyche that I was trying to work it out all night long in my dreams. I remember being in a new house with an old boyfriend, happy that he and I had finally decided to reconcile (I haven't thought of him that way in a very long time). I think the real point of the dream was all the closets. We were having a housewarming party and people were touring our new place. The closets were packed with clothes I didn't need, would never wear and I didn't know what to do with them or how to explain them to our guests. I was a little embarrassed by all I had and all I didn't use - all I would never use. I felt a need to clean up the huge mess I'd created, to purge. Yes, I'm pretty sure that was the point of the dream. So I was busy working out that little bit of psychological angst instead of resting for my run this morning.

Upon waking I showered and tried to figure out my reasoning for growing out this crazy mop of hair. What do people do with it when they run? I may cut it short yet.

I had a piece of toast, a shot of espresso (love my machine!) and jumped in my car for the short drive to the Aquarium. Free parking, gotta love that!

My friend Ken was also signed up. I was happy to see him in his red t-shirt. It (the red shirt) gives me something to watch as he shoots away from the start. He's a couple years younger than me, but he's faster and he's much more competitive. I get a kick out of hearing him say it's all for fun, then watching him set his jaw with seriousness as we get closer and closer to the starting horn.

Same as always, 7:15 came and he was off! I was able to keep my eye on him just past the first mile mark, then I lost him. We passed each other at the turn around and gave each other a shout. I lost him in the crowd at that point. Right before mile 3 I realized that the last uphill climb would be very tough for me.

"Jesus!" It was steep. My calves burned and I slowed to barely more than a trot. I thought of Ken, waiting for me at the finish. I had to pick up the pace. I couldn't imagine him walking this mother of a hill. I ran the rest of the way in.

I've been faster. A few years ago. I'm very happy with my time. This is the first race I've clocked since my injury. I'm really not going for time, I'm training for distance.

Ken was, indeed, at the finish 3 minutes before me. I don't think he was thrilled with his time. We moved into a tent with fans and cooled off over juice and a snack. We started talking about a trip we want to take with friends. This running, these races...it's something we do together that no one else in our social circle shares. We look forward to seeing each other. We count on each other. I count on seeing that red shirt.

Today I raise my gratitude for Ken and our running friendship, running on 6 years now.