Race....euphoria???

I was super-duper nervous about my very first running relay/race - I barely slept. I'm pretty sure the last time I participated in any sort of organized sporting event was at my Grade 5 track and field meet, where I came second in shot-put, and third in the 100m dash. It has to be said that both of these accomplishments far outshone my relay performance.

Moving on...

I awoke at 5 am sharp, had a lovely breakfast, and left the house shortly after 6 to make my way over to my teammates house (shout out to Karen and her man) which is approximately a 35 - 45 minute drive out to Kelowna. I was looking forward to this part of the day as an opportunity to release my pre-race anxiety through belting out old Pink tunes and Gwen Stefani's latest hit Crash (actually a bit vulgar). I arrived somewhat hoarse, but less anxiety-ridden.

Eventually we made our way to pick up our other teammates and then up to the University to get ready for the race. I thought the best course of action would be to run the first leg as Karen had informed me it was "mostly downhill" and I was willing to take any help I could get. Being that it was also a 1/2 marathon, the relay teams started 5 minutes later. There were six teams.

And the horn blows. And the runners take off. A slow start for Michelle...oh, there go the headphones (darn those headphones)...oh, my mp3 player goes flying off my fanny pack hitting the asphalt with a resounding crack, I stumble to pick it up, gather it up in my hand and continue on. As you all can probably imagine, I'm in dead last. This continues. And continues. I can give an accurate description of the facial features of the man on the motorcycle bringing up the end of the race. I am also quite familiar with his liscence plate number as he repeatedly drove up ahead of me to the next corner and patiently awaited my arrival. I puttered along, without the benefit of my muscial friend rather my only company being my own befuddled thoughts urging me to continue on despite the nagging "ohmigod I can't believe I'm last" whispering in my ear. Oh, I would like to take this moment to thank the lovely course marshals on my leg of the race for their sympathetic looks and words of encouragement. Finally, I arrive at my destination, pass off the little book, and end my portion of this little journey.

Being a positive-natured person, I choose to see this experience as my official initiation into the world of running. Now, I'm sure that it is every new runner's biggest fear to be last - I figure, okay, it's happened. I was last. Big deal. It's fine. I mean, you can't really do anything but move up from there. Am I right? Also, I really look forward to participating in an event where there are more competitors, and where I get to start and finish the race. I'm scheduled to do a 10k on May 14 - let that be my time to shine! Bring it on. :D

I had no idea the sun came up so early...

Race day.



I can’t guarantee I slept more than a few hours. Even the few dreams I had consisted of my anxiety and subsequent owliness. The sky is super blue. Zoey is the only one up with me at this ungodly hour. I just keep telling myself that it will all be over at 8:30. I’m having a coffee and reheating my egg. I’ve made a decision about the hashbrowns. Because I think it would be odd to break out the frying pan at this time, I’ve decided to go with a banana. My stomach is unsettled. It’s going to be a good day. Tell Shawn I would feel better if he wore your BOP pants today. I feel pensive. Moving on...

Zoey went back to bed. Smart dog. It's just me, the remnants of my breakfast, and the real estate papers from the Sunday Morning Star. Oh, and I've decided that the absolute WORST thing that could happen, would be if I got lost. Hopefully someone knows where they are going. Stay tuned for "Post Race Euphoria" - I hope.

Pre-Race Jitters...no...Anxious Anticipation

Okay. T - 3 days.

2006 Campus-to-Campus Relay/Half Marathon - I'm doing the relay.

How do I feel? This is my train of thought...

It's only 4kms. It'll be great. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? Well, I could come absolutely last but that's okay because I'm first so the other 4 team members can make it up for sure. I'm really excited about the t-shirt. I don't know if I should wear it, or just keep it in a special place where I'll put all my future t-shirts. I'm excited about stepping outside my box and doing something totally new. Nay I say that this may be the start of something...something...well, I don't know, something new. At the very least, it is the start of my Running-themed year, which will come to its inevitable and unstoppable climax in October with the Okanagan Marathon - I'm running the half.

I guess I don't have jitters so much as anxious anticipation. Anxious Anticipation. Karen, any memories/experiences you would perhaps like to share regarding your own Anxious Anticipation???