Race day

This post was inspired by another Red Dress Club prompt: This is an exercise in showing, not telling. You need to show us why this particular moment defines you, or why you want someone to know this truth about you.


Nervous energy and the cool air had me dancing at the starting line, that brisk San Francisco morning. I had never ran a half marathon, never even ran 10 miles at one time. While I wasn’t sure I could do it, I certainly was going to try.

Looking around, I eventually found my buddy Kay in the crowd of other runners. Kay was the brains of this operation, me, the energy and driving force. Kay knew the route, the water stations, bag drops, all the things one should know on race day. I was happy to have remembered the astroglide for my thighs and to find that the lines to the portapotties were short.

After a slow start, I found my stride. Never having known how to pace myself, I was happy for the companionship and sensibility of my friend.  The first mile had one pretty scary hill to conquer that I attacked with a vengeance. Once at the top, I turned, ran part way down and circled around to support my friend up the tedious ascent. The descent was a huge rush, allowing the runners to pick up the pace and  rejoice in the first triumph.

The next few miles painted the same picture, me speeding ahead and then turning round to encourage my friend. It wasn’t long before those first few hills were forgotten, any fear of being able to finish was obliterated. Bolstered by an adrenaline rush, I felt I could take on the world. Past failures, disappointments, anxieties were all forgotten. The haze of epinephrine coursing through my veins created a distinctive rosy view. I was hooked.

By mile 8, I needed to find another way to entertain myself. My running partner was beginning to struggle and my enthusiasm no longer provided the encouragement Kay needed. A well shaped, running shorts-encased gluteus maximus soon caught my eye and I was off, chasing the latest carrot. I eventually caught up with the runner, checked out the goods in the front and turned around to rejoin my friend, acutely aware of the passing eye candy.

Mile 9 brought another delight in the form of refreshment. Volunteers were handing out 4oz cups of locally brewed beer. Careful not to spill, I sipped my ale, milking the small cup for every delicious drop. I did my best not to look disappointed when Kay didn’t even reach for a beer.

Before the end of mile 10, Kay had had enough of me and my boundless energy and shooed me on. We had just reached the ocean. Since the fog was still thick, I once again took up my game of chasing buns. Surprisingly, I still had energy to keep going, still high from my progress, the adrenaline and the stimulation of hot bodies all around me.

Miles 11, 12 and most of 13 were a blur as I picked up my pace and just ran. Never before feeling as free and invincible, the grin I wore was not going to be soon wiped from my face.

The end too was a blur. I was almost confused by the sudden drop off in motion. Not focusing on any of the faces around me, I blindly wandered around the crowds, not sure of my next course, my next steps. But certain I was of my success, the challenge I just met, the doubts I faced and more certain than ever of my own strength.

27 Responses to Race day
  1. Jessica
    March 7, 2011 | 10:42 pm

    They handed out beer at a marathon? It is a success to finish that long of a mile, good job.
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  2. Jill
    March 7, 2011 | 10:50 pm

    beer?! hahaha….maybe I should run? how do you do it!! i played soccer in high school. mostly running, but mostly me just pushing other players down. i was defense, stayed on 1 side of the field.. i maybe could have done something similiar to a race…now? haha! forget about it.

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  3. John
    March 8, 2011 | 2:08 am

    Momma? We so need to run together one day. During the first marathon I ran, I don’t know if I would have finished if I weren’t chasing shapely derrières. Perhaps I’m a pervert, but I’m a pervert with a good eye who ran 26.2 miles.

    Now, which race was passing out beer? Because, well, beer is one of the items that gas been severely lacking in the events that ice been running.
    John recently posted..I love sleep- and weather is an assholeMy ComLuv Profile

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  4. Jack@TheJackB
    March 8, 2011 | 7:35 am

    I don’t know if I could run a marathon without having eye candy to look at. I suppose you have to find your motivation where you can.
    Jack@TheJackB recently posted..AugustMy ComLuv Profile

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  5. Jennifer
    March 8, 2011 | 7:45 am

    The energy that you felt just leapt off the page/screen, so much so that I felt for Kay. I wonder how many extra miles you ran that day just supporting her!
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  6. Sarafree
    March 8, 2011 | 8:04 am

    I also wrote about running! I enjoyed how you gave small glimpses to each mile on your journey. I too am impressed there was beer! I was happy to find someone handing out doughnuts on one of my runs. Way to go!

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  7. Sara
    March 8, 2011 | 8:17 am

    Run?? What’s that? How fun is it though to set your mind to something and be able to do it?? WOOHOO!
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  8. KLZ
    March 8, 2011 | 8:30 am

    Every new thing about you is something surprising.
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  9. Ash
    March 8, 2011 | 9:39 am

    You runners always amaze and astound me. The enjoyment of it must be genetic. I’ve never had it in me. But, then again, I never knew beer, fine buns and astroglide were involved.

    Hmm…
    Ash recently posted..Call me SolomanMy ComLuv Profile

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  10. magnolia
    March 8, 2011 | 9:59 am

    wow – that makes running, something i hate more than anything, sound so… freeing, transformative. nice.
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  11. tulpen
    March 8, 2011 | 10:29 am

    The best part? Drinking a beer! Awesome!
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  12. Kris
    March 8, 2011 | 10:41 am

    Love your energy! I can just see you running back-and-forth for your friend. And the eye candy… “checked out the goods.” Ha!
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  13. Kir
    March 8, 2011 | 12:00 pm

    Incredible…I felt that HIGH for you. WOW.
    Kir recently posted..Perfect Moment Monday- Spring in my StepMy ComLuv Profile

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  14. Miranda
    March 8, 2011 | 12:32 pm

    I could not run a mile to save my life. But I might run a half-marathon for a beer.

    Also? Astroglide on your thighs? I never would’ve thought of that to prevent chaffing. It’s clear I’m not a runner, right?
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  15. Cheryl @ Mommypants
    March 8, 2011 | 1:12 pm

    See, it’s people like you who I want to smack. Running ahead and circling back? Your friend is very patient. I’d be all JUST GO ALREADY! lol

    But, seriously, I would love to finish one half (or full) where I felt like that at the end, where the last three miles are exhilarating.

    Loved this.

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  16. Symdaddy
    March 8, 2011 | 2:06 pm

    Handing out beer at a marathon sounds good to me!

    A good reason not to run at least … hic!
    Symdaddy recently posted..My Boy Sym And His BallMy ComLuv Profile

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  17. Miri
    March 8, 2011 | 3:22 pm

    Whenever I try to run I feel like I am coughing up blood. But I’ve always wished I could anyway. I liked being able to experience the positive side of it here.
    Miri recently posted..Truest FriendMy ComLuv Profile

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  18. DebPieper
    March 8, 2011 | 4:53 pm

    Kudos – the most I have done is 2.7 miles. I hope to change that soon. So I guess I have to get off the couch, huh? :)
    Great post!

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  19. Mandyland
    March 8, 2011 | 5:45 pm

    Oh I loved this! So many, many things…

    Your boundless energy, your playfulness, your loyalty to your friend, your ability to live in the moment. It says so much about you in one beautifully worded post.

    Bravo, lady.
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  20. tracy
    March 8, 2011 | 6:12 pm

    As a runner, I love this. SHHH, don’t let anyone know the secret of chasing the next best A$$.
    xo
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  21. CDG
    March 8, 2011 | 7:26 pm

    Jesus, woman.

    I fall a little more for you all the time.
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  22. The Drama MAma
    March 8, 2011 | 7:46 pm

    This is beautifully written. I really got a sense of your true self through this story. It’s much different from my karaoke bit, which only shows a part of my true self, hastily written, at that.
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  23. Jackie
    March 9, 2011 | 5:33 am

    Beer?? Really… not water or Gatorade?

    I find it amazing that anyone can run like that! I give you huge credit! It’s something that doesn’t seem very easy to do. I’m lucky if I can walk around the block!
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  24. Leighann
    March 9, 2011 | 7:31 am

    Your energy and excitement pulled me right in!!
    What a great challenge to complete.
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  25. Amy
    March 9, 2011 | 9:29 am

    Congratulations on the half! Now are you planning a full? I might do it if they had beer at every check point!
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  26. Denelle @CaitsConcepts
    March 9, 2011 | 10:42 am

    I’ve heard from a lot of my runner friends about that endorphin rush and how addicting it can be.. Congrats on the run!!
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  27. varunner7
    March 10, 2011 | 8:27 am

    I too wrote about a race for this prompt!
    Sometimes I have a hard time recollecting details afterwards. The end is always a blur.
    Great capture!
    varunner7 recently posted..How the Stomach Looks After Twins – The Post Belly ShotsMy ComLuv Profile

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