Saturday, February 25, 2006

Social Saturday



We had a long and lazy (?) day today. We got up around 6:30 and started getting ready for the race and my run. Steve, from the running club, got to our house about 7:30 and we headed for the race. The Resolution Runs are such a social event! As soon as we walk in the door, we start seeing all the familiar local runners. People are chatting away, wandering from table to table to talk. We had at least ten runners from the Y Run Club show up, plus five of us who were there for a short run and to cheer the others in.

Sonya, Jessie, Carolynn and I left the high school about 8:45 and started running toward Ft. Steilacoom Park. We ran on the paved trail between the roads and soccer fields, then turned into the park itself. Apparently last Friday's big windstorm took quite a few trees down in the park. We saw giant cedars laying beside the road, then when we reached the lake, two or three of the poplars growing beside it were down, plus a couple more cedars. We circled the lake twice, then cut up through the back of the college, through campus, and out to one of the main roads. We got to run down a nice big hill here, and back to the high school. We ran for about 53 minutes, I'm guessing it was about a little over 4 miles. I felt a little sick during the run and right after, but okay after that.

After getting back to the high school and changing into warm clothes, we went down to the track to cheer the runners in. This race was the third in a series - you can run each race individually, or sign up for the series. Each race offers a choice of kilometers or miles. New Years Day starts it off with a 5K or 5 miler, then later in January is the 10K/10 miler, then today was the 15K/15 miler. Next month is the final - 20K or 20 miles. Two of our group were running the kilometers, everyone else was running the miles. Of course, the big event of the day was to see if Rob, Ruth, or Jamal came in first. You'll have to read Rob's post for the final result!

Eric came in looking a little tired. He ran a 7:06 pace. He said he struggled the whole time. He's still working on coming back from an injury incurred at the Tahoe Triple in October. He finished the first two races, then ended up on crutches.

We stood on the side, ringing cowbells for our runners and cheering everyone in. After Eric came in, some of us went inside to warm up. Another thing this race provides is hot food afterward - today it was baked potatoes. The other runners continued to trickle in, and social time started up again. After all this, running, food, and awards, we still went to Starbucks to hang out. Eric and I finally walked back in the door at 3:00 today! It was a long day, but fun. I don't feel too bad about giving the whole day over to the race since Riley is off at a 4H conference for four days.

One thing I always find amazing about the running club is the amount of time we can spend together and still have fun. We have had weekends where we run and hang out at Starbucks Saturday morning, have a potluck that night, then run and hang out again on Sunday. We never run out of things to talk about (or to laugh about). We are truly blessed with a wonderful running club - an incredible group of friends.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for letting this slow poke hang around the group. I wish I could have stayed longer for coffee.

Olga said...

Glad you had fun. I met Darcy and she is great, but have no idea on her run. Rob is tough on himself, but I hear every word he says...

PuddyRat said...

I, too, would have liked to have stayed for coffee, but that's the way it goes. It was nice seeing everyone out on the course today. But that's easy you when are in last place.

onepinkfuzzy said...

sounds like a great, fun day!

Papa Tweet said...

The great thing about fitness clubs is that you can share your hobby with someone. Atleast for me, most of my friends think I'm some kind of an idiot for doing triathlon. They can't relate with my passions for training and living a passionate life. That is where my blog friends come into play. We share common goals, passions, and interests. Keep truckin'.
Benny