10.18 birthday miles on 10/18

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

I got up this morning and it was 37 degrees out. I was not ready for this. I was running 10.18 miles today no matter what! Today is my mother’s birthday. If we had not been in this pandemic, so what was suppose to happen was……

I would have been in Hawaii, finishing my 50th half marathon, in my 50th state, as a celebration gift to my mother, since she is the reason for this journey. I made a vow, 5 years ago that I would always run a race on or near her birthday to celebrate her. In this Covid moment, Hawaii did not happen. Instead I ran 10.18 miles on her day.

Running is my gift of strength, perseverance, good trouble, health,and love. Those are the things I can give my mother since I can not call her or give her a card.

It wasn’t the Pacific Ocean but I did run along the Charles River in Boston. I ran around the Esplande and over to Charlestown and back. When I started the cold dark run, there was hardly anyone out running. I the people that I did see, mostly men, at first did not have any reflective gear. As it got lighter I did see some women running and I did some pairs of people( men and women) running together. Just my own side note, I only saw two black men running on the path.

As I ran I thought about my mom. It’s been nine years of not calling her to wish her happy birthday.. I kept on going. I did get a big smile when I saw all my stalkers out this morning. I’m just going to assume they are wishing her happy birthday. I was so surprised to see so many out. The geese, ducks, and swans. Mom would have gotten a kick from that.

I kept on running. Now, I haven’t run 10 miles since last month. My stamina is not not where it should be. This was a slower than normal 10 miles for me. I’m not knocking it because I have been training. I still did it without a problem.

10:33 miles/ 1:52;05 10:51 min/mil.

I now have a baseline to work above. In the chill of the morning, I had a good birthday run.