Twilight Twelve K

Friday date night has taken on new meaning. Instead of a relaxing dinner and movie, we are running for it. This time it's the Skinny Raven TTK...our second race of the season. The course is 7.5 miles. A challenging yet reasonable distance I think to myself. I've been working hard, this should be no problem. Bob on the other hand might be in trouble. Lucky that Kyle is here, they might be able to run together.I always feel confident and excited up to the point I actually have to start running...That's when it all begins to fall apart. Luckily my guy is right by my side, or right in front of me that is. Where's Kyle now that I need him?

I start out great, good pace, easy terrane and as usual I am toast by mile 6.75, around the same time my guy calls out "let's speed up"...an idea as tempting as brushing Sadie's teeth. I'm only able to keep moving by utilizing a little technique I developed myself. Basically I stare at the ground hoping not to notice the monster hill I'm attempting to climb. It doesn't work too well.

"Whew" I say as I struggle to the top. "That was killer!! I'm glad to be back on level ground, I can't take much more, I'm actually not sure how I made it this far"...I soon realize my relief is premature, the plateau is a rouse, there before my desperate eyes, stands a seemingly endless upward climb. At that very moment of weakness, a conversation with Kira enters my mind "Mom, I did something hard today, just like the Red Caboose. I just kept saying I think I can, I think I can, I think I can"..

The Red Caboose mantra becomes my own.. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..and onto the finish line I ran. Thank you Kira, you helped me do something hard today, just like the Red Caboose.




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