It is sunny, but very cold this morning. Somewhere around 25 degrees. I dress in multiple layers to the point that I ressemble the Michelin Man. I don't care. I want to stay warm.
There is something truly decadent about walking a 5k before sitting down to a meal that takes an hour to finish. Before stuffing yourself so full that you feel the need to eat in shifts. "No pie for me right now. Let me wait thirty more minutes. ...and make sure we have whipped cream."
I was supposed to walk this 5k with my niece. She's 8 and has boundless energy. She promised me that she wouldn't run ahead and become separated from me. Her mom, (my sister) is running the race. She will finish well before us and I don't want to cross the finish line and have her ask me "Where is my daughter?" That will not be good. So I elicit the promise. I should have known this would not bode well.
Before the race begins we are joined by long-time family friends, Roy and Suzanna and their kids....and immediately the horsing around begins. Between the two younger kids, there is kinetic energy that should be bottled. We could sell it for a million dollars. It's renewable, inexhaustible and biodegradable. And green, as far as I know.
Back to the race.
The gun goes off, and so do the kids. Running at full speed, cackling as they go. I think to myself, "I could run this race. I could keep up with them. They are only 8. How fast could they go?" I start jogging after them. My legs are screaming "Shin splints! Shin splints!!" A block ahead of me, the kids stop running and catch their breath, laughing hysterically. Then take off again at full speed. They stay about a block and half ahead of me. I jog to keep up, thinking what my sister will do to me if I lose her eldest child. None of it is good. Least of which is that I will not be having any Thanksgiving dinner as the event is being held at her house. Definitely no pie. This is a future too horrible to contemplate. Must not let 8 year olds ruin my eating plans.
I look around for Roy. He is already on their heels and egging them on. "He will stay with them, won't he?" I ask. Yes, is the reply and I think, Thank God.
Now, relieved of guard duty, I can concentrate on a more relaxed pace. Along the way, at mile marker #2, I overhear a conversation about whether the walk is 5 miles or 5 kilometers and the conversion rate. Several walkers chime in, and the result is similar to a discussion of programming a VCR to record one program while simultaneously watching another. Nobody has the answer and everyone has just enough information to be dangerous.
After I cross the finish line, I rejoin the group and we head back to my sister's house. A little after party with mimosas and appetizers. This is living. It is important to get a good layer down before the Thanksgiving meal has begun.
As with most things, this challenge has provided me with learning opportunities. This weekend taught me:
I was supposed to walk this 5k with my niece. She's 8 and has boundless energy. She promised me that she wouldn't run ahead and become separated from me. Her mom, (my sister) is running the race. She will finish well before us and I don't want to cross the finish line and have her ask me "Where is my daughter?" That will not be good. So I elicit the promise. I should have known this would not bode well.
Before the race begins we are joined by long-time family friends, Roy and Suzanna and their kids....and immediately the horsing around begins. Between the two younger kids, there is kinetic energy that should be bottled. We could sell it for a million dollars. It's renewable, inexhaustible and biodegradable. And green, as far as I know.
Back to the race.
The gun goes off, and so do the kids. Running at full speed, cackling as they go. I think to myself, "I could run this race. I could keep up with them. They are only 8. How fast could they go?" I start jogging after them. My legs are screaming "Shin splints! Shin splints!!" A block ahead of me, the kids stop running and catch their breath, laughing hysterically. Then take off again at full speed. They stay about a block and half ahead of me. I jog to keep up, thinking what my sister will do to me if I lose her eldest child. None of it is good. Least of which is that I will not be having any Thanksgiving dinner as the event is being held at her house. Definitely no pie. This is a future too horrible to contemplate. Must not let 8 year olds ruin my eating plans.
I look around for Roy. He is already on their heels and egging them on. "He will stay with them, won't he?" I ask. Yes, is the reply and I think, Thank God.
Now, relieved of guard duty, I can concentrate on a more relaxed pace. Along the way, at mile marker #2, I overhear a conversation about whether the walk is 5 miles or 5 kilometers and the conversion rate. Several walkers chime in, and the result is similar to a discussion of programming a VCR to record one program while simultaneously watching another. Nobody has the answer and everyone has just enough information to be dangerous.
After I cross the finish line, I rejoin the group and we head back to my sister's house. A little after party with mimosas and appetizers. This is living. It is important to get a good layer down before the Thanksgiving meal has begun.
As with most things, this challenge has provided me with learning opportunities. This weekend taught me:
1. I should warm up better before the race to avoid shin splints. Even if I am only walking.
2. When an 8 year old says, "I will walk with you. I promise not to run", it must be taken with a grain of salt.
3. Americans are never going to get the conversion rate correct regarding miles and kilometers.
4. Champagne and appetizers are the best way to warm up after a race.
2. When an 8 year old says, "I will walk with you. I promise not to run", it must be taken with a grain of salt.
3. Americans are never going to get the conversion rate correct regarding miles and kilometers.
4. Champagne and appetizers are the best way to warm up after a race.
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