Today was a Bikram day - challenging class, as always, with the most challenging teacher. Found myself to be a bit frustrated that she sped through the savasanas and the fixed firm pose, but ultimately, I did pretty well! I came home to my wonderful boyfriend, who was preparing delicious, homemade chicken potstickers and hot and sour soup. Ahhhhhh.
I've been a little slack on the running front this week, which may be why I've also been a bit slack on the posting front. But I wanted to document my wonderfully fun experience at the Blue Talon Bistro 5K "Turkey Trot" this Thanksgiving. This race is the first race I ever ran (see the pic to the right), and I've been running it for the past three years. The turnout gets bigger every year, as more and more people in the Williamsburg, VA area and beyond decide to put themselves through a road race before stuffing themselves with turkey and pumpkin pie.
This year, my boyfriend, brother and grandmother all braved the cool November air and early hour to watch me huff and puff my way to the finish line. This course is beautiful and interesting, beginning in the center of Colonial Williamsburg (Merchant's Square), winding through parts of the William and Mary college campus, and finishing in front of the Blue Talon Bistro. The weather was just perfect - not too cold, just right for running. People of all ages were out there, smiling, breathing hard, and pounding the pavement for bragging rights and reasons that belonged just to them.
I LOVE racing. Love it. Not because I expect to place - ever.
(Truthfully, I have only ever placed once in a race. I finished second out of all EIGHT women who were running in a 5K trail race in Roxboro, NC. I have a little trophy sitting on my dresser from it.)
I race for so many reasons. I race for the camaraderie, seeing fellow runners to my right and left, ahead and behind, all working hard and trying their best. I race to keep myself motivated during my daily exercise. Knowing that I have a race coming up pushes me to get out of bed and get the running gear on, even when I'm not 100% excited for it. I race for the variety. Every race gives me a change in scenery, where roads have been blocked off and marked JUST FOR ME (and everyone else running), and I can run safely in a new route.
I would recommend a structured race for almost everyone who enjoys running, walking, or biking. They're not hard to find. Search Active.com or SPORToften for races in your area, or plug into your local running or biking clubs for options. Local sports equipment stores often organize or keep tabs on events in the area. Whatever your reasons - fun, competition, variety, etc. - a race could be just the thing to add spice to your exercise routine, and create for you a new appreciation of your exercise of choice.
(For me, it made the mashed potatoes taste that much more scrumptious when I knew I had "earned" them!)
