Williamsburg Run for the Dream
Back in February, I decided that I wanted to challenge myself to do something new, so I found an 8K race in Williamsburg and started running. Just one mile at a time, then two, then three...so on and so forth. I prefer to run at night, after it's dark. It works well with our schedule and in the past when I've been a runner, I liked the anonymity of running under cover of darkness. Not to worry, mothers--I'm always aware of my surroundings and running in well-lit areas free of murderers.
Anyway, the culmination of my training was the 8K Run for the Dream in Williamsburg on Saturday. I decided to book us a room for Friday at the last minute and I'm glad I did. Friday evening in Williamsburg was glorious--we pulled in around suppertime, picked up my bib and bag of goodies and then checked into our hotel. We were a 15 minute walk from Colonial Williamsburg, so after we got settled in our room, we took a nice stroll through the woods into town.
I didn't pack the stroller...I'm a little bummed out by the fact that more and more, we don't need the trappings of a baby. But then again, while I was watching our three walk along, exploring and generally walking along nicely...it felt pretty good to be stroller-free. And pack-and-play free, bottle-free, sippy-cup free. Pretty soon we'll be diaper free. I feel like we're entering into a new age of possibilities. Now if I could just get William over the toddler hump...we'll be free and clear!
Anyway, strolled into town, stopping to look at pens of sheep and horses and generally admire the beauty of Colonial Williamsburg (the rest of Wburg just looks like a regular town). It was later, so many of the tourists were gone for the day (note to self: go to places two hours before closing), and the mood was just very relaxed and happy. We had supper at a good pizza place and then walked over and got some Baskin-Robbins. Everyone behaved and we strolled slowly back to the hotel, eating our ice cream and generally behaving like the family that inhabits my dream...in the slowly falling dusk with the blossoming camellias overhead. Seriously. I'm still not sure it wasn't a dream. No one punched anyone else...no one's ice cream fell off the cone...pinch me.
Next morning I was up early and boarded the bus to the starting line on the campus of William & Mary...such a beautiful campus. Stood around wondering what to do, vaguely stretching and acting all "serious runner-like", then got in the chute with everyone. And waited and waited until suddenly there was a great swell in front of me and onwards I went. 8 kilometers is just about 5 miles. It was a combination run/walk, so it was a little challenging dodging the walkers, but after awhile I got into my spot and stayed put. And ran and ran and ran...the final 3/4 of a mile was into the stadium at William & Mary and a partial lap around their track...heard the announcer call out my name and I was crossing the finish line!
I'm so glad to have completed this challenge and I'm looking forward to finding another run to do soon.
Here are my results:
I came in 871 (out of how many I have no idea--it sure didn't seem like there were THAT many people there)
My time was 55:08 (I wanted to finish it in less than an hour)
My pace/mile was 11:06
In females 35-39, there were 122 women and I finished 55 of those 122
Here are a few pics from Williamsburg:
Anyway, the culmination of my training was the 8K Run for the Dream in Williamsburg on Saturday. I decided to book us a room for Friday at the last minute and I'm glad I did. Friday evening in Williamsburg was glorious--we pulled in around suppertime, picked up my bib and bag of goodies and then checked into our hotel. We were a 15 minute walk from Colonial Williamsburg, so after we got settled in our room, we took a nice stroll through the woods into town.
I didn't pack the stroller...I'm a little bummed out by the fact that more and more, we don't need the trappings of a baby. But then again, while I was watching our three walk along, exploring and generally walking along nicely...it felt pretty good to be stroller-free. And pack-and-play free, bottle-free, sippy-cup free. Pretty soon we'll be diaper free. I feel like we're entering into a new age of possibilities. Now if I could just get William over the toddler hump...we'll be free and clear!
Anyway, strolled into town, stopping to look at pens of sheep and horses and generally admire the beauty of Colonial Williamsburg (the rest of Wburg just looks like a regular town). It was later, so many of the tourists were gone for the day (note to self: go to places two hours before closing), and the mood was just very relaxed and happy. We had supper at a good pizza place and then walked over and got some Baskin-Robbins. Everyone behaved and we strolled slowly back to the hotel, eating our ice cream and generally behaving like the family that inhabits my dream...in the slowly falling dusk with the blossoming camellias overhead. Seriously. I'm still not sure it wasn't a dream. No one punched anyone else...no one's ice cream fell off the cone...pinch me.
Next morning I was up early and boarded the bus to the starting line on the campus of William & Mary...such a beautiful campus. Stood around wondering what to do, vaguely stretching and acting all "serious runner-like", then got in the chute with everyone. And waited and waited until suddenly there was a great swell in front of me and onwards I went. 8 kilometers is just about 5 miles. It was a combination run/walk, so it was a little challenging dodging the walkers, but after awhile I got into my spot and stayed put. And ran and ran and ran...the final 3/4 of a mile was into the stadium at William & Mary and a partial lap around their track...heard the announcer call out my name and I was crossing the finish line!
I'm so glad to have completed this challenge and I'm looking forward to finding another run to do soon.
Here are my results:
I came in 871 (out of how many I have no idea--it sure didn't seem like there were THAT many people there)
My time was 55:08 (I wanted to finish it in less than an hour)
My pace/mile was 11:06
In females 35-39, there were 122 women and I finished 55 of those 122
Here are a few pics from Williamsburg:
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| 1775--A most Colonial number |
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| Worm! |
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| Walking to town |
