Are you a happy runner? This weekend, I am a seriously happy runner. In a few short hours me and my crew will be leaving Pittsburgh, PA and heading south to Washington, DC for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run!
The 2014 race was supposed to be my comeback from my August 2013 heel fracture. But by early March I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to run this year (a familiar worry from last year’s hip injury) because I was experiencing some serious foot pain during all of my runs. I cut back on my training. I had long talks with my coach, other running friends, my sports medicine doctor and of course myself (you talk to yourself, too, right?). After some trial and error learned I don’t have a neuroma like I thought. I was merely landing on my foot wrong.
I’ve managed some decent long runs pain free recently, but I’m not in racing shape. I won’t be setting any personal records on Sunday. I don’t even have a goal time in my head. (OK, I sort of do.) But I’m a happy runner ! Here’s why:
1. I am able to run. And I’m grateful for this chance.
2. I am able to run without pain. Running injured stinks.
3. Friends and family care about me and are cheering me on.
4. Friends and family care even more about kids who need care, and they helped me surpass last year’s fundraising goal! You are all amazing!
5. The blossoms will be blooming!
6. Since I’m not racing, I can relax and enjoy the course and take photos. I’ve never done that before and I am really looking forward to it.
7. I’ll get to see some good friends down in DC.
8. New friends from Pittsburgh are also making the trek down to enjoy the Runner’s Rite of Spring.
9. Post-race celebration. There’s nothing like the feeling of accomplishment after any good, long run.
10. I am incredibly lucky and honored to be a small part of an amazing team of bloggers, social runners and race volunteers.
See you all at the Expo tomorrow and at the starting line Sunday morning!