Harriet - an old friend.

It's official now - registration is paid.  Running my first 5K on March 10th.  I have 3 weeks to power train. Yesterday and today under my belt.  One day at a time.

The race route is around Lake Harriet.  An old friend - but I will see it in a new way on race day.  I am a city girl, and have known this small, beautiful gem in the middle of the city my entire life.

My Dad would occasionally drive us by reminiscing of his boyhood days in South Mpls.

As a young girl it was a special treat to go hear a band at the bandshell and get a HUGE ice cream cone.  I would later go there on dates, and now bring my own kids on lazy summer evenings.

In High School I once walked around the lake with girlfriends - barefoot-  on a hot summer day and burnt the bottom of my feet so bad I could hardly wear shoes for days.

We once brought our California cousins for a "day at the beach" and I remember them laughing as they instinctually tried to jump at the shore expecting an undertow, and calling our sand, their dirt.  Once I traveled to CA, I understood what they were talking about.

I remember the band shell upside down in the lake after the tornado struck south Mpls.

I love to ride the trolly near the shore.

I once stood in the shallow water with girlfriends holding a ring from a boyfriend, comtemplating throwing it into the waves.   Later I drove by its shores on my wedding day for a drive through the rose gardens on the way to our reception.

So many memories - so much history with Harriet.

Time to add to them.  This time running.  Alone with my music. Thinking about all the good times as I pass each spot, triggering the thoughts of friends and family and good times.  This will keep me going. Glad I will be running with an old friend.