So Sunday after the Race for the Cure, I really needed to get into double digits. So I mapped out a landmark five miles from my house. It is longer than I have run in about a year so I told myself if I had to walk a little it is okay, many people walk a bit in a marathon, right…right? Okay let’s hope so because at this point the idea of almost tripling my 10 mile run seems very daunting. Well back to the run on Sunday. At 11:00 I set out for my run with what I was assuming was plenty of time to get back for the Ravens taking on the Steelers. I told Tim half jokingly that if I don’t come back after two hours to come looking for me.
I started out feeling a little tight from the 5k and I also had new running shoes, which I know you should break in with shorter runs, but the idea of running in my shot shoes didn’t seem any better. I got into my groove though and about a mile in it felt great. Knowing I was going longer of course I slowed my pace down from the beginning, which really did wonders for the length that I felt strong. The route I was going was not only beautiful, but on a perfect Carolina fall afternoon - tons of people were out running, walking, or biking so it made for great people watching. I ran through the Dilworth area into Myers Park and through Queens College. I ran up Queens Rd, which as a side note changes names at least 3 times that I know of which is consistent with every other street in Charlotte - making getting to know the city incredibly difficult. Anyways when I say running up Queens I mean that literally - it is just one slow rolling hill, but on the upside either the city or residents have water fountains scattered about the historic neighborhood. Odd, but wonderful for runners! So I got to Myers Park Methodist Church, my turn around point, and still felt just dandy.
On my way back though I really started to slow down. I was feeling drained and my feet hurt! I started to walk for just a bit around mile 7.5. Throughout the run I had been thinking about the Ravens playing the Steelers and nervously wondering about the game. Then I thought what would Ray Lewis tell me to do if he were here watching me walk? I’m not trying to say that professional football players are the epitome of inspiration, as there are many more people that have overcome incredible feats (did you read my last entry) with grace and without a check for millions of dollars. But right now I needed Ray, a man that some how has only gotten stronger, faster, and tougher as he’s aged. At age 35 when many football players start to think about relaxing in retirement (or waiver on the decision publically), he is without question the most terrifying guy the opposing team has ever met. So what would Ray say to me now? He would say “Girl run your ass home so you can watch me kill some Steelers”. So that is what I did and what they did as well.
So I run into my building, get to my apartment door at 12:58. Hand on the knob, I can just feel the water in my throat and the feeling of my feet free, and the door is locked. Okay first I think Tim just locked it on instinct, but after banging for what seemed like an eternity I accepted the fact that Tim had gone searching for his favorite runner. Well that is when it’s good to have a sports bar in your apartment building, where I settled in with the Ravens, a ton of water, and used the bar phone to leave Tim a message letting him know of my safety. Even though I typically do not like to go into a bar drenched in sweat in my workout gear, I was a pretty happy camper having completed my run and watching my boys. Oh and Tim joined me pretty quickly, he was just alarmed that I would miss kick-off so thought something had to be wrong. Also if you missed the game we did beat the Steelers and ended the game with Ray Lewis incepting the Steelers pass ending any thought of a last minute comeback. I know it’s silly, but I felt Ray was saying to me, “No matter what, always finish strong!”
