Rewind! Prior to my last post, I had really considered transferring my registration to someone else. I didn't know who but I knew it would be troublesome. I made the promise to my aunt that I was doing this in honor of her. I can't not keep a promise. The day before the race, I felt better. The day of the race, I wasn't thinking at all. Autopilot. Eat. Dress. Get out of the door. Get to the race on time. Try not to be too cold.
There were a few completely unnecessary frustrations before getting out of the car. But once I got into the crowd, I only thought of the journey - just a short distance of 3.3 miles - and why it was so meaningful. As the sun grew higher into the sky and the upbeat music pulsed, it hit me that I was alone in this. Yes, I was walking and running with so many other people, but I had no one to personally share this experience with. And this is a reflection of my depression. Sure, there are people with me, but really, I experience this alone. But it is something I can do. I thought of giving up, quitting and losing interest. But I can't do that. I have to fight.
Our wave was ushered through the start and I just started jogging. I did pretty well for not having run in a while - about 125 yards. However, my legs were already sore and I decided to walk most of the race. The first color I received was yellow, followed by orange. I was not impressed with the lacked amount of paint I received. Then I walked to a sprayer and got purple. Then, the length of the course was about a mile of white going and coming. It was amazing to see so many people doing this! I veered to the inside lane and started high-fiving on-coming racers - and a happy birthday shout-out.
The next color was pink. I skipped through to get my honorary color for Aunt Wanda. As I got my pink, I had special healing thoughts for my sweet aunt winning her own battle. And then blue. Another course of high-fives, especially for the kiddos doing the race. I got so much blue. There was a thick, blue haze and it was amazing. It is my favorite color.
The finish line was a short distance away and we heard encouraging words to finish with. Green was then sprayed. Before I crossed the finish line, I met up with my husband and he gave me my color packet. Ivy climbed through the partition and I picked her up and carried her through with me. I opened my pigment packet (yellow) and she got to throw it multiple times. She also put her little handprint on people's shirts. She had a bit of color run fun too.
I vowed to fully take her through the course in November for her 4th birthday. Oh I am already planning this out. Im going to be more involved in the fun aspect of it all - and more prepared.
But look at this. I think I am really happy here. This was just before going through the finish line. Yes, the sun was shining in our eyes. But that smile. Can't beat it. And that was how it was for the rest of the day. Achy but happy.
I told myself I would train so I could run this race. Oops, I didn't train. But now I intend to train. I want to do more 5Ks.
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