My running group is called the DIVAs. One of them sent me a note congratulating me on a time of sub-1 hour so I wrote a note to clarify. Here is a snippet from that note…
There must be more than one Linda Campbell in their system. This Linda Campbell (the Diva) ran the 10K with her sister Lisa, and while we did cross the finish line with huge smiles and holding hands, our time was a very respectable 1:15 ish, but not sub one hour.
Lisa was visiting from NC doing her first 10K ever and feeling every step. She had a chafing shorts issue.
Ultimately my job was to distract her two small children (4 and 2 yrs old) while my brother in law Matthew pushed their chariot. Not an easy job. Unfortunately just trying to get into the corral was a challenge. I think the 5K and family runs were spilling out into street as 10Kers were trying to find their places in the corral. Anyways, we were 4 adults and a chariot trying to stick together. Almost impossible. Eventually I picked up the front of the chariot and we managed to elbow our way to the back of the pack.
Initially my job was to run with my sister (slower than me) and my cousin Liz (faster than me). Hmmm. This responsibility quickly expanded. Firstly I had to ensure our chariot didn't injure anyone, it had a strange wheel out front that was just calling out to trip an innocent runner. So if it was crowded I ran up front with the wheel, much like a presidential bodyguard. My second job was to entertain our passengers. We had used up the cheesies while trying to get into the corral. (Yes, the girls were covered in orange cheesie crumbs for the duration, somewhat of a contradiction to the whole aspect of promoting good health through running.)
It was at the 3K mark that Jemma started "I want out now, Daddy". My sister Lisa tried to get them to modify this chant to "go, mommy, go" but was unsuccessful. And since she hadn't supported bringing them in first place (it was her husband's idea), she decided she had to focus on running.
It was an experience I'll never forget. I held my nieces’ hands while running along side their chariot. I pointed out hot air balloons. I got them water at the water stations (from their dad:“this is the only time its okay to litter, girls”), I sang the ABC song, I sang the Old Macdonald song. All the while, watching the crowd and darting up front to my body guard position as required.
Finally, I relied on the cheering strangers on the sidelines to help me entertain these young divas in training. We clapped at everyone we saw, we waved, we smiled and we admired their doggies.
And in the last sprint for the finish line, I told my sister what I always say when I feel like I can't go any further. "I run because I can." We both teared up, grabbed hands and she joined me for my traditional give it all I got sprint as we crossed the finish line together
My nieces got medals - their first 10K :-) And my cousin Liz experienced her first National Capital Race Weekend, and its scale - the sheer number of people involved. Matthew managed to keep his girls from climbing out of the cart while loping along and distracting them by targeting paper cups to run over with the chariot for the last km. Lisa finished her first 10K race with a great time, in good spirits, and with minimal pain (aside from chafing shorts issue).
In the end, it was a great day. I missed the Divas but I had an equally awesome and I think once in a lifetime experience.
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