Running with Family

What a weekend! On Saturday, I ran my second 5k of three! It was the first time I have gotten to run with others. About six weeks ago, I reached out to a few of my cousins on my dad's side, who I knew were runners and inquired about the possibility of getting together to run a virtual race, and to my surprise they all said yes! So I started training, the last thing I wanted was to be the one holding everyone else back.

We all decided to meet at my cousin Margie's house and walk to the Schuykill River Trail down the street from her and do the race there. It had been awhile since we have all seen each other and we all were at different levels of athleticism and that made me nervous. We all brought headphones with the intention of going at our own pace and meeting at the end, but that didn't quite happen and I am thankful. It was a hard run for me, and I am pretty sure I can now pinpoint why, but I'll spare you the details. When Molly started talking to me and then Margie caught up and we became a threesome on the course, the dragging body was able to push through, and we made it, with a little bit of walking but pretty decent time too! I'm positive that if I was by myself, I would have stopped and walked the course. I didn't know going into it how much running with others can really push you when you don't think you have it.

I can't explain to you how much different it feels to run with others as opposed to being by yourself. There was definitely a lot more enthusiasm and it truly made a difference for me. While, my time wasn't where I would like it to be, I am pleased as this race really wasn't about time for me. It was about coming together with others and enjoying their company and we did that! We even went to brunch after and caught up with one another about life in quarantine over libations. I truly hope we do it again, and again.

Third race coming up on Thanksgiving, supposed to be doing that with one of the cousins who lives near by, but shes much more disciplined and speedier than I, so we'll see. I may push a little on this final one, looking for a sub 40 minute finish but no predictions. Finishing what I signed up for is the goal. What's are you fitness goals this month?