First Annual Runners Bug Virtual Non-Race

James over at The Runner's Bug is hosting a Virtual Non-Race. You can check out the details here. James says, "Get out there with nothing more than yourself, your shoes, and some relaxing music if you wish. Find an interesting route. which you wouldn’t normally run, or that you've always wanted to run. Where ever it is, just get out there and enjoy the run." How perfect at this point in my training! So I chose the 10k distance, fully intending on running it this past weekend. Well, my crazy life got in my way (can you believe I hadn't run since last Friday?!?) and I set out this morning, not yet convinced I was going to fit it in, since time was super tight. Damn you, snooze button!

I set out the front door to greet an almost moonless (such a pretty sliver) 47 degree morning. Perfection. I was a little chilly starting out and felt a little sluggish, but before I knew what was happening, it turned into one of THOSE runs. You all know the ones I mean - the runs that we chase...the reason we run. I was in my groove, thinking about Sunday, running effortlessly, letting my mind go wherever it wanted, enjoying the stillness of a perfect morning. Getting to run on brand spanking new pavement was pretty cool too.

I thought a lot about how far I've come since March. How many miles I've travelled on these legs. How many "firsts" I've moved past. I thought about this weekend - how great it will be to see my entire family in one place (it's been since 2007) and how I can't wait to hug my nieces. I thought about this marathon. About the thrill of having my family cheer for me. About the crazy spectators and the fantastic experience. About how I wished I could dial in THIS EXACT weather.

I thought about the thrill of victory and the sense of accomplishment as I crossed the finish line.

I got to the point in my route where I either turn left or right - left being 10k and right being home.

I chose left - I couldn't want it to end yet.

As the run neared home, I found myself picking up the pace. Not because I was racing, but because it felt good to kick it. I smiled an awful lot this morning. As I approached my driveway, I wondered if I'd have any kick left on Sunday at the end. I didn't care. I had it today.

Thank you James for hosting such a fun "Non-Race." It was perfection in every way, and it couldn't have come at a more appropriate time for me. I fully enjoyed every second of this - not once did it feel like a chore. It reminded e how happy running makes me!

You should all go check this out - you still have a couple more days to enter. And did I mention there will be prizes? :)

Before I get back to my cleaning frenzy, I wanted to let you know that you can track me on Sunday if you wanna...just go here and enter my bib number: 34951. Easy peasy. I'm going to try and post again before the race, but with everything that's going on, I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO'S RACING THIS WEEKEND!!!