Moms on the Run 5k - 2015

FIRST RACE OF THE 2015 SEASON!!!

Thanks to Moms on the Run for sponsoring.  All proceeds of the event goes to the charity 68 Hours of Hunger.  I recommend checking them out!

Picking up bib numbers at the pre-registration tables.

Soooo, it's done.  Wasn't a great time, but I wasn't sitting on the couch, either.

Things runners need to know about Dover, NH road races.  First of all, the weather is mercurial at best.  On a previous Mother's Day race, SwimGirl and I ran in long leggings and sweatshirts and were not in the least too warm.  This year, warmth was NOT an issue.  Being the proud owner of a "pasty, white girl" complexion, I ran in a long-sleeved wicking shirt in order to avoid getting burned.  Bigbigbig mistake.  While comfortable standing around in said shirt at 8:30 in the am, once I started running.....TOO HOT.  And I'd ever-so-brilliantly pinned my number on it, so there was no taking it off during the race.  I was a sweaty, red mess by the end of the run.

Next thing about Dover - IT'S BLESSED HILLY.  As in the old time-y saying, "Had to go uphill both ways to get to school."   Yup.  That about sums it up.  Hills.  Big hills, little hills and everything in between.  Hate them.

Gotta remember another thing about racing/running in New England states...in most areas, sidewalks are optional.  This loop was well-planned by the race coordinators, as they both are SERIOUS athletes, and sidewalks were available most of the time, not to mention the Dover Police Department had done a nice job setting out traffic cones to make additional street-side room for runners.  However, not every stretch had sidewalks, requiring runners to deal with running on sandy shoulders and having to maneuver around decomposing macadam shoulders.  Gotta love suburban trail running!

On a personal venting note, I do have a small beef for some of the runners.  THIS IS NOT THE OLYMPICS.  Some of us are leisure runners who run so we can enjoy carbs.  We are out for the exercise and fun.  We KNOW to start away from the front and to STAY OUT of the way.  Got that - no prob.  Please remember kids 12 and under are running.  They need to be educated about race protocol and given guidelines, not run over.  'Nuf said.

The race/run is fun, family-friendly, and spirited.  A family friend won the women's age group for 65 & over!  So cool!  It's a great way to start a Mother's Day.  I caught up with friends I hadn't seen for months, watched SwimGirl enjoy herself immensely, and my husband happily took pictures all morning.  Great start to a beautiful day.

Getting ready to step off!

Starting Anew.....

Sooooo, I'm no longer 39.  Nope, I'm 45.

Starting over is not exactly what I'm doing.  Instead, I prefer to think I'm starting anew.  I realize speed is an issue; hills just about destroy any pacing I even thought of having.  However, getting a run in means less couch sitting and guilt.  My goal is to stay in my clothing and not purchase new pieces because I can no longer button them.  To my utter disgust, I discovered something while out on runs the past week...catcalls have nothing to do with age, speed, or condition.

I couldn't believe it.  My grey-haired, ponytailed, middle-aged self  received CATCALLS.  Wait....WHAT?!  Yup.  From late-teen-to-mid-twenty-year-old "men".  These souls took up residence outside of one of Dover's local day labor sites, 2-liter bottles of Coke and cigs in hard, slouching and trying to look "cool".  These "men" took up the entire sidewalk regardless of those attempting to walk by.   Car doors open over the sidewalk with work boots sprawled in the faces of passersby.  Catcalling.

You.  Have.  Got.  To.  Be.  Kidding.  All I wanted to do was finish my run.  Dover is made of hills - all hills in all directions.   No matter how carefully a route is planned,  runners will encounter numerous hills, as I did knew I would find on my last mile towards home.  The last thing I needed was to be insulted by oversized children while sweaty, red, and panting.

I called out, "Good morning - excuse me!", as I went by.  Sounds polite enough, right?  I am now the proud recipient of jeers and yelling.  Seriously?!

So go around, yes?  No.  I live here and this is my most direct route home.

Go at a different time?  No.  The time I chose to run is the time that works best in my day.

Ignore them?  Not gonna happen.  One of my favorite quotes from Fried Green Tomatoes states, "I'm older and I have more insurance."  So, I'm taking my frustration to the blogosphere.

Note to those standing in line - please do the following to make life easier for those sharing the sidewalk:

1. Stand closer to the door of the establishment you're using.  
2. You have the right to smoke; I also have the right to breathe.  Don't blow smoke at me.
3. Keep your opinions to yourselves.  You don't look cool, you look uneducated, particularly when you insult me with poor grammar.
4. If someone says, "Good morning!", a simple nod will suffice.  At least pretend to be polite and who knows, your own day might improve.

On the flip side, as I ran past the other day labor site, the men sitting outside that establishment nodded and smiled at me, obviously thinking, "Crazy woman!"  However, they kept their thoughts to themselves.  Why, perhaps?  Dunks is directly across the street - caffeine makes early morning better.