I wake up in a cold sweat. It’s ridiculous o’clock in the morning but I have to go for a run.
Why? Because time is disappearing.
My package from the Women’s 10k arrived complete with time chip and running bib a few weeks ago. It’s official.
Running realisations
My 20 seconds of courage that originally prompted me to sign up has come home to roost. And I now realise a few very important things:
- I haven’t run this far for over eight years.
- I have less than a week to go and one hill of fitness to climb.
- Although I started full of gusto six weeks ago, it has petered out.
- I haven’t run for over a week and I have days to go before the race.
Put it in gear and go
I pull on my running gear and head outside. The air is cool – I run along the road until I get to the reservoir. I clamber up the bank, thighs burning, back hunched over and finally at the top I straighten up.
It’s worth the climb for the view; I settle into a steady jog and take in the mountains, trees and solitude – a moment of peace in the chaos that is my normal day. Peace that is shattered by two women coming up behind me, talking to each other.
How they have enough breath to talk and run I will never know.
I can feel they’re catching up and my ego kicks in but it’s no good. I gracefully move to one side to let them pass; it’s good practice for the big day anyway.
Cheer on 12,000 across the finish line
This Sunday along with 12,000 other women, I’ll be running 10K – and while it’s too late to lace up your trainers and join us, you can still show your support by cheering us across the finish line in Bellahouston Park.
And if you’re feeling particularly generous, donate to one of the many great causes such as Vickie who is running an impressive 7 10Ks in 7 days to raise money for the Refugee Week walking tours or Team FH running raising money for the Beatson, who have helped one of their family members through cancer treatment.
And me – I’ll be putting my best foot forward. Slowly, steadily and silently.
-B
About a City 