When my phone rang at 11 p.m. last night, I knew I'd be running alone. Sure enough, my friend was calling to tell me she couldn't make it to the run. As I've previously written, going to a race alone is, for me, like walking into happy hour on Friday night alone. It's more fun when your friends are there! So I had a little pity party, got over it, and went to sleep. Running races alone is not my favorite thing, but sometimes it's just the thing I need.
Driving up to Lynn on my own, I called a friend who I know wakes up early. We caught up on each other's lives and chit-chatted a little. Then I called my sister and caught up with her. By the time I got to the race I'd had two really nice conversations. It was freezing, but the sun was shining brilliantly and the sky was crystal clear blue.
I checked in and got my number before spotting a few people from the team I used to run with. I caught up with them until it was time to head out. And then, out into the freezing cold weather we went. We lined up at the start, wind whipping through our hair and rustling our jackets. After a quick "ready, go!" we were off.
Hills. More hills. Cold wind. Two waterstops in 9.3 miles. Icy gusts of air. I reach back to pull my hair into a ponytail but feel something like twigs on my neck. It is my hair...frozen into icicles.
Today, I don't know where my thoughts are. I listen to my music and zone out, not really wanting to think about anything, not really needing to. The miles fly by. And then we're done.
Grab a water, stretch, and go. Nothing particularly memorable about this one. Not even an ugly t-shirt.
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