I have to admit that I have been recovering the last week. I survived the Bluenose 10K the May long weekend. It was fantastic with so many people and music and cheering it was really exhilarating even with all the hills in this run! My time was not bad 1: 15 but I had really just wanted to run and take it slow as I was gearing up for Cabot Trail Relay 15.1 K the next weekend May 29. I am proud to say that I also just barely survied my run which was leg 15 in Maragree at 5:30 am ! Yes I did make it to the race on time and and yes I did complete this leg. It was a beautiful run in the Margaree Valley and it was not raining and the mist in the hills very inspiring and moving. It was a really quick pace with lots of supper fast runners and then their was me and the "old" people at the end. Now not that I am judging but the " old" people were at least 20 -25 yrs older than me, and they passed me ! Oh well I am confident enough and not competetive that it was OK as long as I was not last. Well that lasted for about 30 min then I heard a rumbling and it was the St.John's Ambulance behind me. The 3 people behind me dropped out so now I was last. All I could do was run and laugh. I turned it around to a positive thinking " Hey I am just like Terry Fox with my own support van ". Slow and steady and I walked more than I ran. Around 12K my right IT band seized up and I was in agony and could not run so power walked to the end.
Most folks had moved on to the next leg but their was one team who always cheers in the last runner of each leg. They cheered and had a banner for me to run through ! I could have hugged each and everyone of them. Yes I did make it and I did complete, it was tough leg but I just kept going. Running races I find really can bring up lots of emotions. In both the Bluenose and the Relay I had moments when I almost was overcome and cried with joy that I was doing this, I was alive , I was moving I was breathing and every cell in my body was celebrating life. I have to say this experience also has made me more determined to be a better runner, be in better shape and train smarter for other races and look out next year, I will have a strong finish and make the mat this time!
Reflecting on our adoption journey, it does compare to preparing for race day. Training is like the preparation and waiting for the home study part of adoption. You have good days and bad days but you keep going because you know it will be all worth it in the end. As Race day approaches you get excited but nervous at the same time. Their is lots of energy at the start line and you tend to run to fast off the mark and then settle into a comfortable pace that is yours alone, " run your own race". HMM the adoption journey is exciting when you first get your approval and folks are encourgaing and asking when will you recieve a referal and you reply " It could be any day now " and you believe it. Then you settle back into your life and " get on with the living " but remembering that hey you are on a journey. I guess in terms of a race Blaise and I are comfortably settled into our pace, living our life and still planning trips. Although lately I have had " whisperings " that something is going to happen. When we do finally get our " call" it will be like the last charge for the finish line and proud that we " did it " and succeeded in goal.
Of course when the race is over, planning for the next race and how to best train begins. When the joyous " call' comes Blaise and I will start another journey as parents and need the support of " training partners' to support us as we discover the joys and challenges of parenting.
So here is to my new found love of running and I look forward to improving and to be open to the inspiration and " whisperings" along the way.
Karen, I am beginning to understand just how challenging it can be to release your thoughts for others to read and reflect upon in a blog. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts so eloquently.
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