The Amazing Race: Who Knew I Was a Runner?!

So yesterday was the Baltimore Running Festival and for the first time in my life, I was a part of it. Three friends asked me to be a part of their four-girl marathon relay and I accepted. What did we call ourselves? Las Guerreras! Warrior girls. Fitting, I think, given the year I've just come out of!

Anyway, I took the first leg of the marathon, which looked like this:

If you are at all familiar with Baltimore, you will know that this is quite an uphill endeavor. But at 5.7 miles, it was also the shortest leg of the race. I decided to do the first leg for two reasons; first, it started with the marathon runners so I figured it would be high energy and second, let's be honest...it's the shortest!

Anyway, the first mile was tough. Steady incline and super cold outside, I think I heard 37 degrees. Around the middle of mile two, I'll be honest...I walked a little. It was so hilly and cold, I started to get tired. But I have to say, running through totally unfamiliar neighborhoods where people came out in their PJ's to cheer us on was quite inspiring. At one point, I was power-walking along when an older gentleman jogged past me. I noticed he had 'Relay' on his back and I surveyed him only to notice that he was running on a prosthetic leg. Needless to say, that inspired me to get back to a jog. I was so impressed with him - with all my running comrades, actually. Many people kept a really slow steady pace, but they kept going. One girl in front of me for a while had a shirt on that said 'Put one foot in front of the other. Repeat.' and it reminded me that that was all I had to do, all I had to keep doing. It was awesome.

I think it was just past mile three that we entered the Maryland Zoo. Easily the most awesome part of the run for me. Greeting us, just as we entered were several zoo staff holding various animals - but the first, and most significant was of course, a raven. As we ran through, we were also cheered on by a kookaburra, a skunk, a rooster, a duck and my favorite - a little penguin named Tux who actually ran along the side of the walkway with us! So cute! (Apparently his amigo Tails greeted runners later on! Check out the pic to the right courtesy of the Baltimore Sun!)

Anyway, coming out of the zoo, we were greeted with the five mile marker and then I knew I had actually done it! Only .7 miles to go and I was still moving! Luckily, some rockin' volunteers were waiting with water and Gatorade to keep us going. One even complimented my hair flower! Finally, as I neared the relay exchange area, I saw my teammate Mariajose and sprinted through to finish. I gave her a quick hug and a good luck and she was off. From the starting lineup to the run itself and even riding back to the finish line on the bus I talked to a lot of awesome people, all running for different reasons. It felt amazing to be a part of such an awesome group - it felt amazing to be a 'runner'!  Something I can guarantee you, I never thought I'd be.

After the race, I watched a few rounds of marathoners make their way to the finish line, then joined Yhadird at Pickles Pub for a post-race lunch and headed to Celebration Village to claim my free beer and people watch. And even given my aching hips and knees today, all in all I can say it was an awesome experience and I can see how people get addicted to this. Next stop, a 10-miler? Who knows...??