The race was held at West Ellisville Baptist Church in and around the area; it started and ended there. Not long after we turned the corner, the climb began along a rough road. There were small hills that were in the first half of the course. The announcer had warned us of the roads and to be careful and, boy, was he right. As a matter of fact, one of my friends, Angie, fell at the beginning of the race.
For those that haven't experienced a fall...this really hurts...OUCH! But the race went on.
My Garmin had been hard reset the day before and I thought it was ready. Glancing at it off and on the distance reading kept showing a very long 5k. Really discouraged that maybe it hadn't been measured right, I probably didn't push as I should have. So I thought when I got to the Finish Line I would at least smile at the camera and end the race happily. This did NOT happen!! The camera quit just before I got there! I didn't realize it until later. I ran to the car to get my camera to try to catch Kent and friends crossing the line. Of course, by then the camera was cooperating. I felt so bad for Frank because he feverishly worked and worked on the thing. What stress he must have been under!!
Toward the end of the race, I began hearing "here comes Katlyn" and I honestly thought she was going to appear in a wheelchair. Immediately, there were cheers, smiles and lots of clapping. My eyes and heart were overwhelmed at what was happening. Coming around the corner, I saw Katlyn and her Mom (Tasha) running...yep, I said running...to the Finish Line. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched what God had done and is doing in this young lady and her family's life. She can hardly walk and there she was running the last tenth of the mile. All I could think of is all the pettiness I let enter my life when God is waiting to do something so amazing and now I'm seeing it happen in Katlyn. God is so good.
I knew this wasn't going to be my best race but I ran the best I could considering the heat, humidity and terrain. It was a good race, but a little tough one. Folks, you have to get going again regardless of whether it's your "best" day or not.
Awards time came and I secured the Grandmasters Award. I was so excited! The GM awards are getting a little further away from me since I'm going UP the age range and many stronger, younger runners are entering it. Actually, they had my gender wrong and I placed in the men's age group! I was a little perturbed about it at first since "female" was on my registration and on my bib tab; but then I got to thinking. Hmmmm...I placed in the MEN's age group. Now, that was something, ha!! Sadly, being considered a "male" has happened to me before. Think I'm gonna start using my middle name to differentiate male and female to those that aren't familiar with me. Here are a couple of pictures with the trophy, which I'll treasure because it has Katlyn's name on it.
Love this pic of us
Those that stayed to have a group pic with Katlyn
Gary came up late and missed the group pic but got one with his trophy
And now a few shots with friends.
Several things didn't go well but all-in-all I was okay with it cause, after all, it wasn't about me today. Don't let how you feel keep you from racing with friends! If you've not been running well, as I have, or whether you're just annoyed with life...put on your shoes and get out there and
Run 4 It,
Robbie
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