Boston 10k for Women
ERA of WTF……………….joy and resistance
Today is the 49th year of the Boston 10k for women. I can’t believe it is here. I’ve been apart of the run club over the summer to help get the ladies ready to run the 10k. Oh how far we have come. I was excited to see at least three of the ladies from run club on the course. Shame on us, the Ambassadors for not organizing a proper meet up before the race or post race. Note to self to do it next year.
I was up early and on the common’s by 5:45a.m. We had to set up our BGR tent and be “ show ready” by 6a.m. 6a.m. is also the start of bib picket. I appreciate my co-ambassador KB for being there early to set up. After the race, I have to jet off and help the Iowan with a lighting event.
I’m personally excited for this because it has been a long hot minute since I’ve run a 10k. I”m working on building strength back up in my knee. My weekly runs have been limited to two days a week. I’m not going to lie, I’m itching to run a half. I need to be healthy and ready. The next two months I’ll be building back up.
I was not sure how things were going to go on the course. I knew I can do intervals, I knew I would finish. I just didn’t know what that would look or feel like.
After our BGR pics and shenanigans, it was time to run. I forgot my headphones. This was going to be a first. I felt good before the race. I did acupuncture Thursday and rested Friday. I rubbed my knee down with some ointment.
When we started, I started off slowly. I knew to be my own pacer. Strong and steady was the mantra in my head. I know this course, I knew how to pace it. I also was going to have some run with this. I took pictures at each mile marker. My “ music” was listening to runners. The sound of their feet, the conversations they were having…people talk a lot while running : :) , and the voices of the volunteers and some of the spectators.
My plan to do intervals failed. I could not here the buzz when the time was up. Also, if I did hear it, I was in a groove and did not want to stop. I did stop at every water stop, walked and drink water before resuming running. Around mile two, when we crossed over to Cambridge, I saw the 1:10 pacer. Not sure where she came from, but I was locked and loaded on her.
For the next three miles, the pacer was in my sight. After mile 5, I told myself after the water stop, I would run. Just keep on running until the finish line. And I did it.
Surprisingly. I finished in 1:09. Just under 1:10. I had enough energy to kick it up a tad in the end. I felt good and strong. There was no wobbly knee.. It was me vs. me. I’m proud of my time and the strength that I’m getting back.
We’ll see what happens in year 50