Last night was the Sportsbackers Corporate 4-miler, a big 'office party' that commences with running and ends with beer. Yesterday, in Virginia we tied a heat record - 98 degrees. It was 94 at 7 PM when the race started. For those of us that like distance, 4 miles isn't that far but last night I begged to differ.
I convinced the people I work with (engineers) to participate in this healthy networking and wellness activity. We formed a small team and showed up guns blazin'. One of these brilliant minds drinks red bull all day and isn't shy in front of nicotene, another called it a 'marathon' and still another wanted to know why we only get one free beer ticket with registration. "I thought it was going to be 'all-you-can-drink' afterwards" he says. Julie McCoy (aka Clair Norman), crusise director, had her work cut out for her.
Something happens to Julie at a race. The energy takes over. I suddenly I think I am a Kenyan - a 43- year - old bad ass and my worries about my cool (albeit quirky) co-workers vanished. We found each other at the start - me with baggie of safety pins (once a mother, always a mother) for the bibs and my new belly ring exposed. I would've run naked if it was legal. It was stinkin' hot!
And so we did it. We had great fun. All of us. I work with some of the most amazing thinkers on the planet and last night their minds went in motion and they were runners too (walkers, a few). I'm not nearly as brilliant upstairs as theses folks but I did kick out a 9:12 pace in oppressive heat. Not quite a Kenyan but not quite all that bad for me.
The beer was cold and very good and I know 6 people worked their hearts last night because of me an I feel dang good about it.
We'll be back next year.
What did you do last night?
2 comments:
Very cool. 9:12 in that heat is amazing girl! Sorry I didn't call you back in time, but glad it went well!
I love it that you convinced them to do it! Last night I ran little loops in the dark in my development and had pancakes for dinner :)
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