What a beautiful morning, to see the sun rise, itโs moments like this that make me wish I could freeze frame time
Thank you Brandon Rhyder for your perfect tune to greet my day. ๐
Even if it was at 4:30a.m. Seriously, what is my deal? I’m beginning to think I’ve inherited Gma McG’s sleep patterns…of no sleeping– at the age of 23 mind you. However, I can’t quiet bring myself to actually get up and read, or even more bold–do some yoga. No, I lie there begrudgingly hoping to fall back into a peaceful slumber for at least another half hour. However, I managed to peel myself out of ‘bed’ (by bed I mean 3 Japanese futons piled on top of one another) and get somewhat ready for the day. You see, today was Sports Day. I obviously didn’t have much primping to do (unlike for my marathon last fall).
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This was an all day affair. The lawn was mowed, lines painted, little kiddies ready in their uniforms, we were set.
I figured this was blurry enough so you could see a race, all while keeping their identity private, sorta.
As I was walking around, snapping some pre-race photos of the kiddies, I noticed my increased heart rate and small case of the butterflies. What the heck?! It wasn’t like I was approaching the track in 4th grade to run the 800m for the first time and despite believing I was the fastest one out there, I came in 13th out of 14. I began to sweat. That memory was dauntingly familiar, as if it was yesterday. Get a grip Molly. I felt their nerves, their anxiety- their FEAR (oh come on, back to reality- they’re 12…I think I’m the only one freakin’ and geekin’ over here). At any rate, I was nervous for them.
Some races intense. Some, not so much.
When your give your camera to a student:
3-legged 50, 000, 000 leg-race
I have no idea what was going on here. Kids ran, drew a straw with a number on it, ran to corresponding numbered box, put on attire, played rock, paper, scissors, if they lost they drank green vegetable juice, nearly gagged, then ran across the finish line. Weird.
Then came the 800m race. At this point I was walking around, sorta in a daze, trying not to envision my lunch being devoured, since I’m pretty sure at this point my stomach was eating nearby organs I was so hungry (no bathroom snacking on Sports Day). I was RAVISHING. So, right before passing out (I may be dramatic), the 3rd grade boys were the last to race before lunch time (the same boys I play soccer with at recess everyday)…Here I am, minding my own, snappin’ away, soakin’ up rays…when out of left field, Mr. Gun Starter says,
Mori-san, rahn-ning-gu, douzo.
WHAT?! (brief pause).
Followed by the heart palpitating out of my chest. Yet, notice I didn’t even hesitate, shake my head in disbelief, or run away in the complete opposite direction (but maybe should have). No, before he could reload his gun, I was throwing off my fleece, tightening my laces, and lining up next to Prefontaine Kosei. Decision instantly regretted.
The gun fires. I start sprinting. (Thank God for those H.I.I.T. workouts). I forget how much speed and power is required for the 800 meter race. Coming from a marathoner…this was the death.of.me. Two laps down, in 4th place, rounding my last turn, I’m taking the event very seriously (I can’t help it, I’m competitive, so sue me.) Yet, the kids are prancing around me like little fairies….and still beating me. ๐ก
Now my heart and lungs are on fire. I can’t breathe (still dramatic), and I finally crossed the finish line after 3 hours minutes and some seconds. I think I finished 4th? I may have briefly blacked out…there I was, lying in the grass, trying to regain my composure (and dignity). All I have to say is if that is a preview of what my 10k and half-Mary are gonna be like, then count me out…or just suck it up and get my butt in some serious training!
Does someone have in inhaler? I think I know what a 40 year old, chain-smoker going into cardiac arrest feels like.
It’s 2p.m. I’m still wheezing, but by the looks of it, the rest of the day was enjoyed by many!
I’ll be sure to show you proof of my suffering-3-laps-of-hell-chest-cavity-flaming-in-agony picture once I get a copy. In the meantime, I’m going to find some aloe vera for my other ailment.
*Don’t worry Mom, I had spf 70 on my face.
Yipes! That was intense even to read.
Your running music should be on the way but it might take a week or two to get there. I was mailing everything else ground, and the lady at the post office counter didn’t ask if I wanted yours shipped differently. Sorry! But it is coming!
OMG you are AWESOME! Don’t worry, I’ll be so happy whenever it gets here—Hanson can tide me over in the mean time..oh and Justin Bieb’s of course :D. Mark my words, I will never publicly embarrass myself in front of the students/parents/teachers again…well I probably will, but no more running!!! What a shame.
OMG! you have awesome sunglasses and they look very similar to those I bought in Shanghai 2008 ๐
Thanks Anne! I love them! I have a slight sunglasses obsession. I need to stop buying new ones
Half mary and a tenny will be just fine! I can’t run slow, so we’ll pace each other come the third weekend in October!
Sports day in 4th/5th and 6th grade was my favorite! My mom made me clean out my entire room before taking off for London and I just couldn’t part with all of my old ribbons hah so I stashed them in between my folded dress clothes (I know she’d toss them otherwise).
I am freakin’ about these races! I’ve only ever run 5k’s with Bill and the 2 marathons…I don’t know happy medium. Running fast hurts ๐ Haha, but I’ll try to get up to your pace by race day. Oh, and that wedding is Oct. 1…in Iowa…but I’m planning on DRIVING BACK for homecoming up at CSB/SJU on Saturday….if I’m not still drunk Count on seeing me…you better be there too!!! ๐
[…] 2 more!!! They are both 21 years old, and students in university in Hirosaki. One of them saw me running and instantly knew who to ask for a buddy. YES! Only 10 months too late…I’m leaving […]