What a momentous day. I remember where I was 10 years ago when the first plane hit the World Trade Center in NYC – in Atlanta getting ready to go to class. I had The Today Show with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer to keep me company while going through the morning ritual of getting ready when all of a sudden, a smoking WTC was the only thing on camera. I had no idea what was going on. Then, while watching the smoking tower, a second plane hit.
Yes, I, and millions of other people who were just drinking their morning coffee, watched it happen in real time. Shocked beyond the ability to actually process what was going on, I went to class only to find that no one knew what had happened. I ended up leaving class and going back to the TV for the latest news and to hopefully get some guidance as to what was happening and how I should deal with it.
Was I in danger? Should I leave Atlanta for a safer place, like my hometown? Should I be scared, outraged, sad? All of the above? So many thoughts, such a helpless feeling.
Through it all, I clung to fact that we are a strong nation. We are a people who, like siblings, will not let others put us down. That day was also my cousin’s 16th birthday. What a day 10 years ago. What a difference 10 years makes.
My cousin is 26 today and planning her wedding. I live 3000 miles from Atlanta. Katie Couric is no longer on the Today Show. The USA is still recovering, but very much alive and free. AND in my own personal battle, I have overcome prescription orthotics, and I ran my first 5K in my VFFs!!!
The Iron Girl races always focus on women and overcoming adversity be it weight, health, cancer, disease, etc. Today, they also paid tribute to the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. One big motivator for me was a woman who ran my pace right in front of me. On her back she had a sign saying, “I am running this race in honor of my dad who lost his life in the WTC 9/11/01.” I felt that I would take that and run with it. I ran this race not only for myself, but also for all those who lost their lives, gave their lives or lost loved ones to 9/11 and the aftermath of war that followed.
It was not a great distance in the whole scheme of racing, but it is a huge accomplishment, none the less.
Just as before the energy was infectious. I ran much slower than I do in practice b/c I was afraid that if I went too fast, I would have to stop to catch my breath. So, I ran more conservatively than I would have liked. Had I to do it again, I would have picked up the pace, at least on the last mile. However, my stats are as follows:
Total Time: 31:55 (32:50 last year)
Pace: 10:18 per mile (10:34 pace last year)
Division place: 64 out of 268 (I was 65 out of 303 last year)
Overall place: 312 out of 1433 running the 5K (371/1371 last year)
I am happy about the slight decrease in pace. (Although, I have been averaging 9 minute miles on my shorter training runs of 1.5 miles). However, now that I see I can make it 3 miles in my VFFs and still walk (am still able to walk and move my ankles, which I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do), I think I will up my mileage considerably – at least to 2 miles in a few days. 🙂
I am also pledging to continue updating the blog regularly as it is a very useful training tool as far as keeping me honest when doing weight training and rehab.
See y’all soon!
Tags: 5k race, 9/11, Vibram 5 Fingersâ„¢