Run, Sister, Run!

So as some of you may have heard, my sister and I signed up to do the Hot Chocolate 5K on Dec. 3, which is a mere week and a half away.  My sister is fairly new to running and a bit nervous about participating in a road race where she seems to fear that she will come in dead last if she doesn't manage to get run over by all the "elite runners" who supposedly sign up for these things.  I have reassured her that many people who sign up for 5Ks are new to running just like she is - but she still has butterflies about it.

So I thought as a nice little preview to the big event it would be a great idea for us to run an innocent "Fun Run", a mere 2-mile jaunt on Thanksgiving morning called the Bethesda Turkey Chase.  Because I'd mentioned it to her several weeks ago and she seemed agreeable at the time, I took the liberty of signing both of us up, along with my ten-year old son who can run circles around us all.  When I sent her the confirmation of our registration for the race, I think I freaked her out because here is the email response I got from her today:

So I did it - I got home last night - gave a quick hug and kiss to the boys, threw some running clothes on and ran out the door to conquer "the run".  It was slow moving at first, then I got into it.  I made it all the way around the Navel Square w/o stopping.  I made myself keep going until I could see the big clock on top of the PECO tower (I did not bring a watch, or anything to tell time) I estimate I probably ran 9 minutes w/o stopping.  Phew!  Then I walked a little.  Started up the run again, this time a bit tougher, was breathing heavily within the first 30 seconds or so...ran another minute and had to stop again - The lungs and chest were burning - chest cold was taking hold and not letting me catch my breath.  But I must continue - I MUST!! 

 

So I picked up the pace again and ran a few blocks only to have to stop again and slow down to a walk.  This is torture, I thought.  Visions of getting run over by top athletes during the Turkey run in just 2 days ran through my head.  Would I make it to see the delicious turkey out of the oven??  I walked a little longer and headed over the bridge only to find there was no stairwell down to the Schuylkll trail below along the river.  DRAT!  Had to walk to the next bridge, further away and go down the ramp - I ran a slow jog and reached the river side trail.  It was dark - barely anyone out, and a bit eerie.  But I kept running, had a little more energy - I'll make it to the next lamp post, I'll keep running and make it to the next tree, the bridge is coming up, I'll make it to the bridge..and I just kept going!  yey! 

 

I finally stopped and decided to turn around.  I was a long way from home and needed to head back and help Olko with the kids and dinner.  I saw the big PECO clock looming above me telling me it was getting late.  I walked and walked -  I walked and reached the end of the trail only to find the train was blocking my way home.  Stupid train!  had to back track and go up the 3 flights of steps (I went 2 at a time) up to the Walnut Street Bridge.  I continued my walk and convinced myself to run one last time - I did, I ran and then even convinced myself it would be even better if I really picked up my knees and kicked up my legs in the back to really get the hear rate up!  This lasted maybe 5 seconds until I just gave up and went back to walking.  My chest was really burning now.  Couldn't even take a breath w/o coughing.  Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...How am I going to make it to the Hot Chocolate Race  in less than 2 weeks!!! 

 

But I woke up this morning and felt pretty good - had a few aches, knees a little creaky - but I felt a bit energized and could feel it on my way to work - My limbs were loose and my body is ready to run a other day!  I will give it another try today after work.  I even wore my running clothes to work today!  I will prevail - This cold will not take over and I will run  Run RUN!!!  ..and then cough . . .

 

Haha - well, I'm proud of her.  She's really giving it her all.  I think it will be a great experience and that she will see that she is not the slowest one out there!  I love it that we're doing this together.  I can't wait to be with my whole family this week for Thanksgiving.  It will be tough without my dad there, but we'll all be together and we always manage to find something to laugh about.  I have a feeling we'll be laughing the whole way through the Turkey Chase - after all, there must be some reason they call it a FUN run, right??