I Love the Rock and Roll

So, I did it.

for which I began training two and a half months ago — and in record time, too. (The record being a personal worst rather than a personal best, but record-breaking nonetheless.) This was the longest race in which I’ve competed since undergoing knee surgery three years ago, and the fact that I finished it smiling and injury-free was far more exciting than receiving my finisher’s medal at the end of the race.

The race was the denouement of an action-packed weekend: On Friday, my family and I rode the new Norfolk light rail and went to the monthly art walk at the Virginia Beach Town Center. On Saturday, my husband took his first surfing lesson. While his instructor reviewed some basics before heading into the water, my daughter and I sat nearby, building sand castles on the beach and listening to the lesson. Some of the fascinating tidbits included the instructor telling the students that he was buddies with , and also correcting my husband on his board stance, instructing him to move his feet a little closer together as “four inches makes a big difference.” (My husband, knowing I was listening, replied with a “That’s what she said” and an impish grin in my direction.)

As we were riding home from the surfing lesson, we drove down a main street at the oceanfront, where there was a lot of preparation for the half marathon taking place. One thing that caught my attention was a “prayer tent” set up in front of one of the churches at the beach. The banner on the tent indicated runners could pray there after the race. Now, I’m no expert, but it seems to me after having run a few of these distance races that it would be more beneficial to offer the praying before the race, or perhaps at mile 12, AS YOU ARE BEING PASSED BY THREE GUYS DRESSED AS HOT DOGS, A GUY DRESSED LIKE ELVIS, AND A GUY WEARING KANGOO JUMP BOOTS.  

Hypothetically, of course.

After the half marathon on Sunday, I rested on the couch (possibly while wearing my medal) then went back to the beach with my husband and daughter and rented one of those surrey-type bicycles on the boardwalk like any self-respecting tourist family in Virginia Beach. And let me tell you, nothing feels more awesome on your legs after running a half marathon than propelling a huge surrey down the boardwalk on a very windy night.

I’m feeling great now, both physically and mentally, after realizing that with the proper training and realistic expectations, I can really tackle any challenge, no matter how hard.

Which is also what she said.