M & M

Monday, June 14, 2010

Night Flight 5K - 2010




In junior high and in high school, I was a runner. Well, I ran track and cross country, but at heart I hated it...every single second. So, as soon as school was over, so was running. When my wife became pregnant with our first child, I decided that I needed to get back into shape, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Running was the natural answer for the physical part, so I started running in the fall of 20o2. Madilyn was born the following July 2003.

Running is not an attractive sport. Sure, runners are lean and physically fit, women wear short shorts, and the medals and race shirts are super cool. But it is hard...waking up early, running in the heat, freezing cold, rain, and often alone. A runner battles foot pains, leg cramps, sore backs, blisters, chaffing, and the emotional destruction of will at every turn, where the demons lurk to kill our fortitude. Basically, it is hard, and it hurts.

I should have been a lawyer.

Convincing Madilyn to run a race with me was rather easy...she is easy-going anyway, and believed we would have fun running a nice, little race. So, I signed us up for the 2010 Night Flight 5K in Lee's Summit, MO. The race was held in our town, and started / finished at the gym where the girls play indoor soccer, so convienience was all around.

Madge and I picked up our race packets on Thursdays, but to our disappointment, her shirt was way too big. But, no matter. We went home, found a cool, black tank-top shirt, and we sat together in the bedroom pinning on her bib, talking about the rules of running: race shirts can't be worn until after you complete the race, eat all the food you can after the race, and when the pain comes, say "hello", and keep running.

Night Flight started at 9 pm...an hour past her school-time bedtime! We arrived in the parking lot 45 minutes before hand, visited the restroom (2 additional times for me), and began stretching. We stretched our calves on the curb, held each other steady as we stretched our thighs and hamstrings, and sat on the sidewalk talking and stretching some more. Other runners and spectators stopped by to talk to Maddi, as she was clearly the youngest runner in the race...she graciously engaged with each of them, smiling nervously the entire time.

As the RD called out the final instructions, Maddi and I stood next to each other, me still talking about what we were going to do as we ran...run slow and steady, keep looking ahead, etc. I held my hands on her, to keep her close, physically and metaphorically, and as the horn sounded, together we started running.

"Soft steps, Maddi" I repeated. I hadn't realized that running a race isn't natural. There are techniques that are learned...like arm movement, posture, and gliding strides. We held hands as some runners slowed down, and as some ran past. But then...we were off!

We ran the first mile without stopping...11 minutes...not bad for a 6 1/2 year old. I pointed to the people clapping and chearing us. "They are cheering for you, Maddi," I told her. And they were. Most spectatators cheer for everyone, and a little louder for the runners the know. No one knew Maddi, but when they saw her, they pointed and shouted louder. "You go girl!" "Show 'em how to do it, blondie!" I was eating it up. Maddi turned to me as we took a brief walking break, "They are cheering for you, Maddi", I said. "They are?" asked Maddi. You bet!

We took our first short walking break after the first mile, and as we entered downtown, the crowds were larger and more vocal. At the turnaround, Maddi and I grabbed some water, with Maddi dumping some on her head...a true runner! As we headed back to the way we came, the distance began to wear on Madge. It was uphill, dark, and she had been on her feet running longer than she had ever been. A couple more walking breaks, more cheers from spectatators, and we were almost home!

The route from Douglas (leading to and from downtown) took us back onto the outer road. Another runner passed us, but turned to Maddi and commented on how fast she (Madge) was running. Her words must have had an impact, because Maddi started running faster, and with determination. As we rounded the driveway into the community center parking lot, Maddi was sprinting. To the side were her grandparents and uncle, each shouting loudly. I was beaming!

We crossed the finish line in 39:58...a huge success for Madilyn's first 5k. We ate, drank, and took some pictures. I didn't stop smiling the entire night.

Sitting on the ground with Madilyn during the awards ceremony, watching the runners mingling, and soaking up the time spent with my daughter, I felt the true joy of running.

Thank you, Madilyn, for an incredible night. Thank you for being born!

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