An anniversary of sorts

It's hard to believe, but we ran our first half marathon five years ago today. As with all things time based, I feel like it's both too long and too short a time... I mean, only five years? Haven't we been running halfs forever? But I also feel like we're still quite new to this, so I can't believe it's already been five years since our first, the Over the Dam Half Marathon...

In the intervening 5 years we have run dozens and dozens of halfs - obviously increasing the tempo for Wil's 40@40 project! Even if I didn't count the unofficial halfs we ran for that project (it's hard to find 40 races without flying lots and lots of weekends), I've run 45 organized half marathons... plus 4 marathons and a handful of 15K, 12K, 10K, and 5K races. And I sometimes still get nervous before races.

Why nervous? Well, I don't worry that I won't finish, or that I will finish last. I'm always sure I'll be able to complete a race, even if it means walking a lot, or limping a lot. And though I haven't yet finished "dead last" in a race, I've come close in a couple of small events that I've walked. And it's just fine. People are always absurdly supportive to those who come in at the end. Somebody has to be last, right?

I think I get nervous about the unknowns. If I'm running alone, sometimes I worry I'll get lost. Or I worry that I'll hurt myself somehow. (I'm clumsy.) If I'm running with Wil, sometimes I worry I won't be able to keep up! (He's much faster than I am.) Or the usual -- and completely ridiculous -- fear that I will somehow look stupid. Yeah, I don't know what's up with that one.

But mostly, now, I can pretty much relax and enjoy the day. I LOVE running races -- I like being part of something bigger (even when I dislike less courteous runners - ha!), I like seeing how different organizers set up different events. I like the opportunity to thank volunteers at water stops and road crossings. I really like seeing finish lines! I like witnessing other runners' achievements. I like seeing elite runners just gliding by. I like a crisp new race bib -- especially if it has my name on it! I like eating vanilla bean Gu. (Really!) And of course I like getting race bling. :)

I can't run much right now -- I'm in the midst of eye surgeries on my right eye -- but maybe I'll got out for a little jaunt. 1.31 miles, maybe, just to celebrate five years of half marathons!!!!