Purple Stride Atlanta 08 Race Report

Saturday, Nov. 15th, we participated in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's 5k to raise funds and awareness for PC research.

Before the race started, there were several speakers, including a scientist working on research that could lead to a cure for PC, and a 4 year PC survivor who shared with us the startling fact that of all patients diagnosed with Pancratic Cancer in 2007, only 9% are still with us today. It was a very emotional start to the day, to say the least.

The run itself was quite lovely. Great weather, cool but sunny, with autumn's finest colors everywhere. I had a surprising amount of energy.

It's funny: after the race, I felt like it had fewer hills than the Run Like Hell 5k, but Heather felt like it had more. Go figure! That all goes back to that problem we have of never both having a good run on the same day.

This was one of those runs where I did a lot of thinking and sorting things out in my head. Brian and I had been grousing just before the race, and as I ran I realized how stupid that was. It's inevitable, because married couples will always have "off" days, but by the time I saw him near the finish, I was so completely done with my bad feelings that I couldn't help but yet "I love you! I'm sorry we had a rough morning!" I didn't care that I was letting every runner around me know I had argued with my sweetheart; it was just really important to me to tell him those things right that minute. When we were done with the race, he came over to me and put my track jacket on me, which he had been keeping warm underneath his jacket the whole time. I'm lucky to be with such a caring and thoughtful person. He amazes me every day with his kindness.

I also had a sort of personal revelation about running and being thankful during this race. As we ran up one of the hills, I remember thinking "This sure sucks!" Then, that teeny tiny part of brain that is the voice of reason threw some tough love my way. It said "You lazy dumbass. This can't even be one shred as difficult as dealing with something like chemo treatments. Don't you dare stop to walk. You run this whole thing, and be damn thankful you can!"

She's kind of a bitch, my voice of reason, but she's right a shocking amount of the time.

Let me be clear - I totally will never think less of a runner that needs a walk break - it's often me! My voice of reason just knew I was being a baby at that moment. Sometimes, you gotta walk! The important thing is, you keep going.

Suck it!

Last night since I was a solo runner, I decided to try to run around my neighborhood. Can you say I kicked my own ass? It was cold which is fine, - I usually like the cold because I feel like I'm really awake when I'm running in it - except last night there was a nippy wind biting at me and my neighborhood is HELLA hilly. I haven't had such a painful run since we did the Oakland Cemetery Run Like Hell run. I mean, I'm glad I did it, but I hurt through a lot of it and the wind was making my eyes sting and water. (Hmm, perhaps I should invest in goggles?) Running is definitely pushing the envelope of my tolerance for discomfort. Ironically enough, I think that I'm falling in love with it because of that. Maybe I have a thing for abusing myself? I really hope this weekend's 5K PanCan run isn't windy. Cold I'm okay with. Cold, windy and hilly evidently is not my thing.

8 Miles of Therapy

Heather and I did an 8 mile run-walk on Saturday morning. I am so thankful.

Last week at work was particularly rough for me, and I am still reeling a little from it. It was so therapeutic to talk things through with Heather. It turns out her week was also rather icky, so we both got to unload. For me, just verbalizing my feelings often takes away their power, intensity, etc., but oddly enough, I don't always do it out of shame for having them. Stupid, I know.

I love that running has afforded us this camaraderie. Somehow, running side-by-side, it's easier for me to open up. Looking ahead at the trail or sidewalk makes me more able to be truthful with my feelings and fears than if I were just sitting and having a face-to-face conversation.

I had no idea running would provide this fabulous side benefit.