Post the link to your blogged slice to Schooogy.com by the start of class each Friday.
My original 5K was held the June after finishing a spring semester of running campus's sidewalks to the point where they felt like home, there was a 5K to celebrate Burris's 75th anniversary. I happily signed up, and felt the novelty of having the skills (AKA: cardiovascular stamina) to actually be interested in running. From the elementary schooler who could think of no greater misery than running "The Mile"...with inevitable side-stitches thanks to lunch immediately preceeding Gym, I'd bloomed into feeling the "This is amazing" joy of running - no, the "joie de courir," like the "joie de vivre" that's become part of my vocabulary. As a token of that new identity, I received second place in my age group, which was a great inceptive and treat, regardless of the fact that it wasn't a large race. I should make a point of looking in my old bedroom at my parents' house for the medal from that race, because it'd be a nice reminder of what I can do. Even if it just hung the door knob of my closet with the medal from last year's Walk Indiana half-marathon, it'd be an affirmation of my potential to always grow to love new experiences.
This week's 5K, which will be tomorrow evening after school, will be run on a treadmill. I'd love to push the pause button tomorrow morning and begin on an out-of-the-usual highnote. Put my hair in a ponytail, favorite socks and Brooks on, and run the race. Before my "teacher brain" flips the switch from introvert who swims in silent contemplation, to extrovert who loves connecting with other people to laugh, discuss, and think, I'd put on sweatpants, a stocking cap, big jacket, and come in to run. Like Cake's lyrics, "Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...". We shall see. Worst case scenario: I teach all day and then switch clothes to run.
Regardless, the Virtual 5K is to celebrate the birthday of the blogger of the "Runs for Cookies" site; she'll be turning 31 and thought 3.1 miles was a great idea to share with her readers. From what I have deduced from a month and a half of reading her daily blogs, she's a fantastic example of what the "carpe momento" spark can achieve. I'll be one of more than nine hundred runners all across the country (and likely world) who are participating. My first 5K time was thirty-one minutes; tomorrow, my goal will be anything under forty-five - I'm being realistic, but optimistic, because I think I can do better than that.