My day started this morning with an 8k run in the windy city of Chicago. This was actually my friend Amanda's idea and since i like to run regularly i thought why not...sign me up! here in Chi city you never know what the weather will be. Everyone knows the weatherman is wrong 90% of the time, so when they were calling for snow i wasn't holding em to it. Amanda however prepared full force and bought out the entire Under Armour store, lol (well close to it, she was dressed in it from head to toe). I did go and get myself a pair of gloves from there because i had an incident back in January where i got frost bite during my morning run...so needless to say it was time i invest in a solid pair of winter running gloves. As we drove into the city and sat in traffic on Michigan Ave, Amanda kept sayin "i can't believe we are doing this, it's so cold out!" "Kas, what if i don't make it?".."I'm so nervous, i haven't ran 5 miles since December!" The poor thing was freakin out( she is the cutest damn chick too) i reassured her she would be fine, and that i wouldn't leave her behind, EVER. So we got in line at the 10 min mile mark...There must have been thousands of people. This is however the biggest 8k in the world ya know :) As i look around at everyone i start to wonder why are they here? Do they really just love to run? Are they running in remembrance of a lost loved one? Was this something on their "bucket list"? Do they love St. Patty's Day that much and run so they can get that free beer at the finish line (no joke ya'll..there was beer at the finish line, am i the only one that thinks this is bizarre??, lol) There were people of all ages, amazing really. At one point Amanda looked over at a man who must have been 80 somethin and said to me "ok, if he can run this then i think i will be ok. lol" I have been in an organized walk before for breast cancer and mother's day but this was my first run. So here we go....all lined up and ready to go! Music..check, chewing gum..check, gloves and hat..check, shoes tied..check, lol. Thankfully it was not snowing nor raining, just cold. Eventually you warm up after the first mile so really it's no biggie as long as it's dry in the sky. As 'im running, weaving between people, checkin on AB to make sure i see her pretty face next to me, i notice one thing...there sure are a LOT of different asses out there (hahah! i mean peoples rear ends of course) So many shapes and sizes, from big to small, firm to a little jiggly, heart shaped to tear drop shaped, uplifted to saggy, wide to narrow( ok, ok, you get the point) I mean really though, i had nothing else to stare at for the next 45 minutes, so i just couldn't' help but truly examine what's out there in this world. Then i started to wonder what does my ass look like to the dude behind me right now? of course I'm hoping he thinks it's tight, bubbly and just plain old cute ;) lol. So everything was going great til my shoe lace came undone at the 4mile mark. However, i was NOT about to stop to tie it now with only a mile left. Heck no, i kept my happy feet shufflin all the way to the finish line. We ended up crossing at46min40sec. Not bad, but that just gives me a new goal for next time. So i cannot begin to tell you how happy my girl AB was that she finished in such good time, without stoppin or slowing down. I was excited as well, but to tell you the truth, my happiness came from seeing that smile of achievement on her face. I always feel as good as Amanda did when i run weekly. But today was different. Because i ran with so many different people, who all ran for their own personal cause. It felt like we were all connected. Like we were all there for the same reason. Achievement!! I swear there is nothing like that rewarding feeling that makes you so happy you can't stop smiling :) Amanda's happiness made me happier, and everyones support on the side lines made me feel important. So whatever the reason all of us thousands of people decided to run 5 miles today, it was an overall empowering experience, and i can't wait to do it again! ( so , the funniest thing is that once you complete a run you just wanna sign up for another one without thinking twice, which could be trouble seeing how the next few runs of the year are longer and longer distances, yikes! good thing i didn't jump to any forms just yet, hahah)
So i leave you with this...next year if you are not busy the weekend after St. Patty's Day come join me for a quick 5mile run through the fascinating city of Chicago. Wheather it will be on the side lines cheering me on, or next to me dressed in Under Armour attire. I promise you that the feeling you will get is so positive that it will stay with you forever. Don't ever doubt yourself until you try. Don't give up without a fight. The sence of accomplishment is something that can't be taken away from you. And it helps make you a stronger person! live well, and RUN!!!
