Back at a Christmas party in December (obviously, duh), I walked up on a conversation in which the Charlottesville annual 10 miler was invoked. I got to talking with my good buddy Lee Perry and popped off, "I'll do it with you!" Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Lee has run, like, 10 marathons or something. But we became training partners--if by "partner" you mean "master and slave". Dude just whipped me in to shape.
But. . . the fateful day arrived on Saturday and, what do you know? After 87 minutes and 45 seconds, I dragged my tired bones across the 10 mile mark finish line, well behind Lee and well well behind the freaks who actually won the race in like 53 minutes or something. But alas, I beat my 90 minute goal. And it felt . . .lightheaded! I thought I would pass out.
It feels really good to set a goal and accomplish it. It's funny, even something like running, which seems like the ultimate individual sport, is really a community event. My wife, Jenny, had to sacrifice to let me train while she took extra care of the kids. They all came out to cheer me on. Lee was a great encouragement. 400 volunteers staffed the event. Even something that seems like it's a solo effort, isn't. I can even look back in time to my dad running 10k's in Ft. Worth, TX as the one who laid the foundation for me to run races like these. So, thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement.
And, next year. . .80 minutes, baby!
(pictured is me, Marshall, and Lee--we all celebrated with big fat hamburgers and onion rings Sunday evening! Except for Marshall, who celebrated with a chicken wrap and a salad--what a jerk! kidding, Marshall; you are an inspiration)
