500 Miles
Last weekend at Todd's Road I joined the 500 mile club. I started running with the Stumblers with Gary on October 22, 2005. Every Saturday that I run out at TR I log my miles on the giant poster that I share with hundreds of past and current runners. It always feels good to tick off the miles when you are done, but since you have to be present at TR at 7am Saturday mornings only to log your miles, they can add up pretty slowly. I was hoping to finish by October, 2007 so I could finish in 2 years, but I settled for finishing in December, 2007. Close enough. With the Ironman and Team in Training practices Saturday mornings I hadn't frequented TR much this fall and winter.
I was excited to finally finish, but to be honest, it felt a lot better than I imagined it would. I ran my last 11 miles with Tracy, Kathryn, and Elissa. As usual it was wonderful conversation, and a beautiful morning. On the way in Kathryn counted me down, 497 to go!...498 to go!...499 to go! At the intersection of Combs Ferry and Basin Springs I was greeted by some cheering runners, Ernie and crew. It was such a sweet gesture and I felt like I was in my own race. Towards the finish, Kathryn ran up ahead to make sure the tape was ready for me to cross. I expected there only to be a few people still at the clubhouse since we ran pretty long that morning. However, I was surprised to see dozens of runners still there and cheering me on as I crossed the official 500 miler tape. What a fantastic group of people.
As I was finishing up my run that morning I was telling Kathryn and Elissa how I could remember my first run at TR with Gary. I was nervous to come, and not a very strong runner. I was impressed by the kindness of the other runners, and thrilled that we got coffee and donuts after the run! I could remember how it took us 34 minutes to get to the school, and now one of my fastest times has been 27 minutes. (I was running with Saori, though and :27 was not really my choice). When Gary and I trained for the Tecumseh Trail Marathon he trained with me and sometimes I felt like we were the last two out on the roads Saturday morning. I'm sure we were most of the times. We would talk about Big Macs and massages mmm...McSagges.
After the trail marathon I gained enough confidence to run out at TR without Gary. I have met some wonderful people through running, and TR has introduced me to some of my closest girlfriends. Many of which I would have never gotten through a run without. I'll never forget the 20 miler with Kristin in the freezing rain the day I chose to wear shorts. Or the day we saw the crazy spinning dog on the side of the road. My first time running Pit Bull. Susan with her white towel, Kathryn with her car key paperclipped to her shoe, trying to keep up with the gazelles that are Elissa and Saori, wondering how Tracy ever used to run in those big sweatshirts, talking to the cows with Kristin, trying to figure out men with Jill, knowing I will have anything I ever need if I run with Lynn and her fanny pack (sewing kit included), and avoiding GRAVEL with Paula.
Todd's Road has been so much more than just a physical accomplishment of 500 miles. It is my social interaction, my motivation, my anti-depressant, and my addiction. Thank you Todd's Road! I'm ready for another 500.
Thanks for the picture, Wes!
I was excited to finally finish, but to be honest, it felt a lot better than I imagined it would. I ran my last 11 miles with Tracy, Kathryn, and Elissa. As usual it was wonderful conversation, and a beautiful morning. On the way in Kathryn counted me down, 497 to go!...498 to go!...499 to go! At the intersection of Combs Ferry and Basin Springs I was greeted by some cheering runners, Ernie and crew. It was such a sweet gesture and I felt like I was in my own race. Towards the finish, Kathryn ran up ahead to make sure the tape was ready for me to cross. I expected there only to be a few people still at the clubhouse since we ran pretty long that morning. However, I was surprised to see dozens of runners still there and cheering me on as I crossed the official 500 miler tape. What a fantastic group of people.
As I was finishing up my run that morning I was telling Kathryn and Elissa how I could remember my first run at TR with Gary. I was nervous to come, and not a very strong runner. I was impressed by the kindness of the other runners, and thrilled that we got coffee and donuts after the run! I could remember how it took us 34 minutes to get to the school, and now one of my fastest times has been 27 minutes. (I was running with Saori, though and :27 was not really my choice). When Gary and I trained for the Tecumseh Trail Marathon he trained with me and sometimes I felt like we were the last two out on the roads Saturday morning. I'm sure we were most of the times. We would talk about Big Macs and massages mmm...McSagges.
After the trail marathon I gained enough confidence to run out at TR without Gary. I have met some wonderful people through running, and TR has introduced me to some of my closest girlfriends. Many of which I would have never gotten through a run without. I'll never forget the 20 miler with Kristin in the freezing rain the day I chose to wear shorts. Or the day we saw the crazy spinning dog on the side of the road. My first time running Pit Bull. Susan with her white towel, Kathryn with her car key paperclipped to her shoe, trying to keep up with the gazelles that are Elissa and Saori, wondering how Tracy ever used to run in those big sweatshirts, talking to the cows with Kristin, trying to figure out men with Jill, knowing I will have anything I ever need if I run with Lynn and her fanny pack (sewing kit included), and avoiding GRAVEL with Paula.
Todd's Road has been so much more than just a physical accomplishment of 500 miles. It is my social interaction, my motivation, my anti-depressant, and my addiction. Thank you Todd's Road! I'm ready for another 500.
Thanks for the picture, Wes!
posted by nikki at 2:23 PM
1 Comments:
I am a little saddened that there was no mention of me and all the times we would go without Gary and how some people thought that I was Gary, but I can get over it. I think you truly summed up the true Todd's Road experience and my distance running experience in Lexington in general.
Post a Comment
<< Home