A few months ago, well before I was diagnosed with pneumonia, I had signed up for a 5K in my town Halloween morning to benefit the local football and cheerleading group. I figured running a race would give me license to indulge in a bit of candy and adult beverages later that day–perfect since we had a few parties to attend..and, of course, some trick-or-treating.
Not surprisingly, my lack of running over the past month while I was sick made me more nervous for a 5K than I ought to be, even though it’s a course I’ve run many many times before. I decided to hold on tight to the knowledge that over the previous week I’d been back to running 2-3 days a week on the treadmill, averaging between 3-5 miles (I can thank “Scandal” on my iPad for those 5 milers), and each time I can feel myself getting stronger, and my breathing becoming more and more normal.
Being a Halloween race, there were tons of people dressed up in costumes and ready to run, and I felt like a bit of a Debbie Downer in my standard running gear (although I did joke that I could say I was dressed as a zebra, thanks to my black-and-white striped Athleta capris). But wow, it was chilly! A far cry from the Tufts 10K several weeks earlier, which I ran in shorts and a tank, thanks to the 70 degree weather.
Because it was a small field (not surprising for an inaugural race), I was able to cross the line soon after the race started and settled in at an 8:20ish pace for the first mile. I know this course like the back of my hand, so I knew exactly when the hills were coming and tried to tackle each one, and really embrace the downhill portions. The cold air surprised my lungs a bit, but I kept chugging along, counting the people as I picked them off, one by one.
By mile 2 I realized there was a chance I could be one of the top females, something I have never done before, so I refused to let my pace go down, keeping it between 8:20-8:30. Sure, it was definitely off my 5K PR time, but coming off of pneumonia, I was thrilled.
I kicked it into gear as I coasted to and through the finish line with a 26:05 finish, more than a minute off my 5K PR, and about 40 seconds off my PR on this particular course. But because of the smallish field, I somehow managed to come in as the third overall female, the first woman in my age group, and 14th overall!
I’d say I earned my wine and candy…not to mention a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card for my third place finish!
After the race it was our usual Saturday mayhem (soccer, karate, gymnastics) before getting ready for a couple of Halloween get togethers and, of course, some trick-or-treating.
This year, Buddy continued his Star Wars costume streak — third time in five years — as Boba Fett. (He has also been Darth Vadar and Luke Skywalker). Meanwhile, Mimi wanted to be a Tinker Bell Pirate Fairy, which was apparently inspired by some Disney-produced cartoon on Netflix that I have yet to see. It as basically Tinker Bell with boots, a sword, and some sass.
If there was ever a costume that embodies my daughter’s personality, this is it: a tough, bad-ass girly girl.
It’s funny: I remember my sister and I dumping our plastic orange pumpkins full of candy the minute we got home from trick-or-treating to take a full inventory, organizing and sorting and trading as we went along.
But my kids? Well, Mimi didn’t even know we had left all her candy at our friend’s house. And Buddy’s bag is right in the dining room, exactly where he left it when we came home on Saturday night.
And little do they know that, as in years past, I’m having both kids donate some of their candy to Operation: American Solider, something our dental practice organizes to send candy to soldiers overseas.
But not before I steal all the Mounds and Almond Joys for myself.