When I travel, I like to “collect” runs as souvenirs. I’m convinced it’s the best way to get to know a place. The latest addition to my collection is Arlington, VA, where I visited for the Eastern Communication Conference.
While running in a new place is always a special treat, this run was extra special.
It finally kicked in.
“It” is the feeling of excitement mixed with fluttery nervousness that comes when race day is imminent. In this case, the mother of all marathons: Boston. The day I’ve been dreaming about since I started training for my first marathon in 2008.
It may seem odd that it’s taken this long for the feeling to kick in. But, the last few weeks have not gone the way I would have liked.
My mom spent all of last week in the hospital, with two-thirds of that in the Intensive Care Unit. One pacemaker and several medications later, she is home and recuperating. But that experience took its mental toll.
My mother’s misfortune coupled with the usual crazy crunch that is the end of a college semester, and I haven’t had much time to even think about running Boston, let alone feel excited about it.
But, thanks to a most excellent bike and run path along the Potomac River in Arlington, VA, I’m starting to feel the Boston Buzz.
Thursday morning was a great morning to run. Temperatures when were in the 50s, the sun was shining without a cloud in the sky, and there was a moderate breeze. I stepped out of the hotel, and walked a block to the river, where the concierge informed me I could pick up the bike path, neatly tucked along the river, almost completely hidden at times from the highway next to it.
I needed this run to go well.
I had come off a few weeks of consecutive “blah” runs. My final 20 miler before the run taper was not a confidence builder. I felt tired, and sore. During other runs, it felt like a struggle to maintain a basic pace. I tried to run a “marathon goal pace” run, and it just felt hard. Why had running become such a struggle?
But, my Arlington run was different. Immediately I felt wonderful, physically and mentally. You know that type of run where it just clicks from the first footfall? As I ran, with the Potomac River, and the nation’s capitol in view, I found my place, my found my pace.
Bikers swooshed by me, and I felt lifted along with them. Some of them were dressed in full suits, messenger bags swung smartly over their shoulders. Others were in sleek bike attire, riding in a fast moving pace group, pronouncing their presence, “Passing on your left!”
I came across a grove of weeping willows, so beautiful with their feathery tendrils coming down from the sky. Weeping willows are my favorite type of tree. There is something so soft about their strength. They represent a quiet humility and strength, as they grow toward the heavens, while their leaves bow to the earth.
As I moved along the path, I had a view of the river, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. As corny as it may seem, I was moved by these sights. (You know the willows weren’t the only thing weeping at this point…)
I felt light on my feet, feeling the collective hum of generations who had come to the center of political power, seeking social justice. It is easy to forget about the beauty of our country in the ugliness of polarized politics, much as it has been easy for me to forget about the beauty of running despite a few bum training runs.
So, thanks to Arlington, I’m ready to run the race I dreamed about three years ago.
Have a great day out there, everyone! Good luck to the runners – a special shout out to Tracy, my sister-in-law, and all my tweeps who will be running and spectating!
And a very special thanks (in advance) to my Boston spectating posse: Courtney, Eric, Charlene, Brian, Ethan, Gavin & Carson! I can’t wait to see you all at the finish line.
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If you are so inclined, you can track me on Monday, using my bib number, which is 15427.
