Race Report - Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k for Arthritis

Finally. After 6 years, 10 months, and 11 days I have finally won a race. I ran the Ellicott City Jingle Bell Run/Walk 5k for Arthritis on Saturday. It was a nice single loop course around a lake. I started off behind a kid from a local high school and passed him about 1000m into the race. I pulled away quickly and hit the mile in 5:07 and knew I had the race wrapped up at that point (plus the second place kid would get lost and inadvertently cut the course and be DQed). The last 2 miles I had some time to reflect on what it was like to end my streak of 65 consecutive losses. Life was very different back then. George Bush was moments away from being sworn in as the 43rd President, Alan Webb was moments away from running his first sub 4:00 mile in a city who's skyline was still defined by the twin towers, I thought Kordell Stewart was the answer at QB, and I had yet to try my first alcoholic beverage. I was a fearless and muscle-less 114 pound sack of bones with frosted blonde tips running his 3rd track race of his collegiate career. I didn't know that my 4th track race wouldn't come until 3 years later, after redshirting my first 6 track seasons. I had never heard of osteoporosis or plantar fasciitis or the thyroid gland, I followed my coach's orders with a blind faith, and I thought my victory on that day would be the first of many in a great career. I had alot to think about on Saturday during those final 2 miles. I mostly thought about how I started in this sport and why I continue to do this to my body. I enjoy being out there in the woods and escaping the world; I enjoy meeting new people and learning their story; and I especially enjoy seeing what I am made of. Granted, a 16:42 in a rinky-dink local 5k is not what you would call stellar, but after 65 consecutive losses I will take what I can get.