Saturday I won't have to travel far to race. This one is on the home field. Time for the Catfish 5K race. This was the race I had planned to run last year until I severely sprained my ankle and had to settle for the walk instead.
Looking over my log, I have practiced this course about 50 times since last October. I've learned a lot about this route and about my self too. I have sensed euphoria of a hard run that went well, as well as frustration when my hopes of better times were dashed by pain, fatigue and natural elements. I learned about proper pacing for each unique mile along the way. And how to respect a challenging hill instead of letting it intimidate me. When you run a familiar route long enough you begin to appreciate its nuances. Subtle dips and bends that you need to watch for and the right way to descend a hill or the trees that may provide shade from the heat or a barrier from cold north winds.
I think about the final tenth of a mile and how I have usually had enough in the tank for one last sprint to the finish line. I think about the runs I shared with two of my sons and more recently a boy in my church who want to beat me... (he did!) In fact last week when we ran, I didn't want to get too far behind and so I pushed to the end, being pleasantly surprised that a new personal record was set going into the final week of my preparations.
I am excited about getting to the starting line this Saturday. The weather is supposed to be very nice and I have a feeling a good turnout is expected. I am not operating under the illusion that I am about to win this race, let alone my age category. But I know one thing is for certain, when we are turned loose, I will run with all the passion I have poured out over this course for the last nine months. To do any less than that would be a crime.
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