Good morning, Sparklers!

The morning after the Liberty Mile and I'm still smiling!



That's me, all 204 pounds of happiness and joy after my first road race of my adult life.

I cannot say how proud I am of finishing that mile and how inspired and motivated I am for the 5K coming up at the end of September.

The Play by Play:

We line up and wait. The group I was with wanted to be near the front (crazies) and I begrudgingly moved up with them, noting that there was just going to be a bunch of people passing me. After a delayed start and a fit of nerves we were off! I just kept my pace slow and even, resisting the urge to keep up with the crowd. When I neared the quarter mile mark and saw my time at 2:20, I slowed, I don't think there's any way I can do an eight minute mile.

The times between that quarter and the last half were the longest - I was alone, being passed, and without any music.

As I neared the half mark there were people in front of me who'd slowed to a walk. Inspiration found. As I came upon them I cheered them on. "You've got this," and "Come on." "It's all downhill from here." I got some of them to start running again with me. Some of them picked up their pace and left me behind, but that was okay. I found my legs.

The last quarter mile and I could see the finish line. I hear the announcer cheering people in. Then I see my target - the person I have to pass. I'm at the end of the block and she's at the middle. I gun it. I push hard. I pass. I finish.

The rest of my company finished their miles between 5 and 8 minutes. I was really psyched for that five minute dude!

I finished 90/104, all 204 pounds of me.

There was a time when I would joke that I only run if I'm being chased. Now I run if I see something I want to pass. I run if I know my slow and steady pace inspires someone else. I run because I feel proud and accomplished.

What matters most is that I run.