You know what’s awesome about loving something? Being able to
share it with people you love. Yea, the goal is that they’ll love it to. But,
you’re so obsessed with this thing that you don’t really care if they love it
like you. That’s a technicality. At least at the moment.
…and I’ve made it back to Louisiana! Only this
time, I’m there for #NASPA15 and more running! #ThePresident and I were coming off
of our Shamrock Shenanigans, so it only made sense that we would find a running event
at our conference location and come down a couple days early to rack up more
miles. Believe it or not, it wasn’t me who found the race. It was #ThePresident. And he was soooo excited. So much so, I lovingly forced my child to
run with us because, well, there was a 5k option and we were staying in the
same hotel.
Now I know all the rules. What type of shirts do you get with your
race entry? Are there adequate water stations? Does the race have a medal for
all finishers or just those who place? Is there a time limit on the course?
Cotton *eh*… Not really. Nope – no medals at all. Kinda.
Why “kinda” you ask? Well, let me tell you…
START: This maybe wasn’t the best
idea. Especially after a night on Bourbon Street.
Mile 1: Wow. This city had been
through so much, and it’s still so beautiful. I could totally see myself living
here.
Mile 2: Yea, living here. In a house.
Fully air conditioned. Ain’t nobody get time for this. It’s March and still this
humid. Ain’t no way… *remembers
I signed up for RnRNOLA 2016* *enters Audubon Park*
Mile 3: This is such a lovely park. So
much life in this city… What are they doing over there… *begins running the wrong way, has no idea* *has gone almost a
mile in the wrong direction*
Mile 4: Wait… Where did everyone go?
This isn’t the running event I was here with? Do. They. Have. A. Full.
Marching. Band. With. Them. On. This. Same. Path? *detours through the grass*
Mile 5: *exits
Audubon Park* I
quit. Running is stupid. Where is the Jambalaya? Well, It’s obviously not that
way *looks
back at NOLA PD car trailing me*… I’m definitely the last
person this time.
Mile 6: That
jambalaya better be hella good. I wonder what Cori’s doing? She’s obviously
finished her race by now. How many colleges are on this street anyway?
#PassesTulane&Loyola
Mile 6(0.2): …and I don’t even get a medal.
Dammit.
FINISH: Is it time to eat?
They give you hand grenades after the races in NOLA, right?
My sweet baby was waiting at
the finish line for me with a cup of water and a smile. I was just glad I found
the path. I had plenty of time to rest up. I mean, there was no point in
powering through the race. Running through the parade crowds, on the wet grass
around them, and literally in the wrong direction – all having already past the
one water station, I kinda just you know, took my time.
She told me about her
“struggle” to the finish. It only sounded that way because she didn’t believe
she could do it. But she found her strong, and finished stronger – and in some
beautiful shoes… #ImNotJealous
#OkayALittleJealous
As we made our way back to the
hotel via the St Charles Road trolley, and she thought about her life and the
decisions I made that brought her here, she commented about the moment. She
said that had anyone else done this, asked/told her to sign up for this race
and do it, she would not have. It wasn’t even about peer pressure or anything
like that. Connection. Influence. It’s about those.
There are people in our lives
who are so connected to who we are as beings, that we will do literally
anything. They exert that much influence over the very next thing we may do.
How wonderfully dangerous is that? To know that the answer will always be yes –
even when the answer is really no. I giggled as she told me (and
her significant other)
that. Then, I wondered if I was even worth of such a thing. Or even a
responsible enough human to manage that kind of power. eeek bro. eeek.
What were the lessons learned on this day?
1. Running isn’t everyone’s thing. People
aren’t going to be committed to this endeavor like me. But, if you have any
control over them (ie:
motherhood) then, it doesn’t matter if it’s their thing. Make them do it
anyway. Plus, exercise is good for you.
2. Make your own medals. It’s worth it
when you’re forcing people to run with you and the running event doesn’t have
them.
3. Jambalaya after a race can’t replace a medal. But it’s a hell of a better option than a
banana. I’ve done the research.
4. Our spheres of influence are higher,
wider, and deeper than we could ever know. Pray to God that you have enough
humility to never know the depths of that influence.
This race was awesome! And that’s hard to believe – um, there was
no medal, right? But was there? Three checks off my list! I got a new
state, a “new” friend, and a new running event! Everything about this one was
winning.
Even getting lost.
#15ThingsIn2015 Challenge
5 new states
4 new friends (OldieButNewbie
#RunningHubby; My Child – 2 down, 2 to go)
3 new running events
2 back-to-back running events
1 Half Marathon PR
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