Tonight I ran the Freeze Out Homelessness 5k. I had VERY low expectations going into this race. My training hasn’t been nearly what it could have been, and considering I just started running again about 3 weeks ago, after over 4 months off I set my bar pretty low. For those who have followed along with me on FB, you may have seen that my Grandfather passed away yesterday morning (1/15). I decided that I would dedicate this race to him, and run in his honor. He was never homeless, but being a WWII vet, and knowing that there is a decent percentage of homeless vets out there on the streets, it just seemed fitting.
I came out of the gate way too fast as usual, and found myself running a 7:30 pace. This isn’t entirely bad, it’s just a pace that I can’t keep up for 3+ miles. I did it last summer for 2 miles and wanted to die at the end and that was on a completely flat track! I felt strong through the first lap of the route, although I was also dreading the second lap because mentally I felt as though I wouldn’t be as strong and didn’t want to hit that wall that I’ve hit before. As I was coming by the finish line, with still one lap to go, I heard the song Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi and I was bummed because I don’t run with music right now and this was not a song I wanted to hear. I’m just not really a fan of Bon Jovi. Well I heard the line “We’re half way there…” and then I sort of laughed because of course it was the halfway point. So then I just thought it was very fitting, and appreciated the song. As I started singing along in my head I caught the lines “Take my hand- we’ll make it – I swear, Whooaaaa! Livin’ on a prayer” and I just embraced it, because that sums up that race tonight. I kept talking to my grandfather during the race, asking him for some help, and I most certainly felt both him and my grandmother there with me. Coming into the last part of the race it felt like my legs were moving far faster than I could have ever made them go. Now don’t get me wrong, it could have very well been my own strength and abilities, but I prefer to go with my grandparents being right there beside me.
Leading up to this race I really focused on the cause that the race supported – homelessness – because why wouldn’t I. Things changed yesterday morning when my grandfather passed, and the race took on a different tone for me. Before I close out this post I want to THANK everyone who donated funds and supported me in running this race. You helped me be the top individual fundraiser for the second year in a row, raising just short of $600. I most certainly could not have done that without all of you. THANK YOU so much! So many of you donated money to help people you will never meet, and that right there makes all of the difference in my mind.
I am already looking forward to next year’s race. My goal is to once again be the top individual fundraiser, but to also finish in the top 3 of my age group. I know I can do it, especially with all of you helping to push me!