Get In Gear!

I ran the 30th annual Get In Gear race this Saturday with my cousin Sara. It was a far cry from last year's race, with steady and increasing rain, and a temperature in the 50s. I couldn't have asked for a better day - a hint of chill that turned into just the perfect baking heat (for my tastes) with morning sun.

It's a huge event, and even bigger this year because of the 30th year. It's like running in a giant river of runners, but the course is utterly beautiful and Sara and I had just the best time. I know I did, anyway. We talked of many things. It felt great to me until about mile four or five, when my legs and hips started complaining, but when I said, "I'm feeling pain," Sara said, "We're almost done!" and that carried me through the end.

Through silent mutual agreement we sped up across the Ford Bridge, passing people left and right, and kept that pace through the last winding, tree-lined avenue toward the finish line. I had a tiny bit of energy left for a last minute sprint to the finish line, and then when I dropped to a walk I swayed on suddenly weak knees. But we grinned in triumph; we had pulled it off.

Then off to an Indian buffet with Sara, Chris and the boys (Ross had to work) and home to the most delightfully lazy afternoon. Ross and I were invited over to Andy and Betsy's for dinner, so I didn't even have to cook.