2036

Today I was one in a sea of green.  Bib #2036 in the 100% Irish for a Day 5K.  Among those that had on fabulous outfits of bouncy tutu's and shamrock headbands, funky socks and plaid skirts. Green hair and hair ribbons.  Thoughtful, coordinated, purposeful.  I wished I was one of them....   I  had on what I could put together to stop the wind coming off the lake. Black pants, pink shirt, light blue gloves, red headband.  Grateful for the green sweatshirt I was handed as a race token. Something green for me - I now fit in.

 Old, young, fast, slow, some alone, some in groups.  All there to walk and run together, moving around the lake like one flowing mass of bobbing heads and pounding feet. The movement of people propelled me, carried me along. It was an amazing feeling to part of something with an energy of its own.  I told myself I would not walk.  I didn't.  I kept on running, and running, and running.  Song after song.  Mile flag 1.  Then 2.  Almost there!  I couldn't walk now.  Round the bend. There were the fans lined up cheering us through the gauntlet.  It made me push harder, watching the clock at the finish line.  I found an extra push deep within.  38.22 minutes, minus the time lag at the start.  I finished in 36 minutes.  My goal was 43.  I was stunned.  Maybe from now on I should not look at the clock while I run - just listen to my body, and go. Maybe it was the beautiful spring weather, maybe adrenaline, maybe the Belfast Cowboys singing me along, maybe the luck of the Irish.  I don't know.  I do know it was a great feeling to cross the finish line running with runners ahead of me, and behind me.  We did it together.    ...looking forward to the next race.  It felt good.