Hurricane Irene hit us with a vengeance. The roof suffered the most with numerous shingles blown off by the strong winds! I could not believe how much water leaked into the attic and down into the living room. A few days after Irene we had drenching rains that sent even more water down from the roof into the attic and down through the living room ceiling, even though we tried to plug up any holes with roof tar.
When the water started pouring in, I went up into the attic to save anything that was in harms way. I frantically dragged boxes of cherished items out of the way. When I thought all things of value were safe I looked over and saw a purple ribbon. I picked it up and realized it was my participant ribbon from the very first race I ever entered. It was from 1978....the Tow Path Run in eastern Pennsylvania. I looked at the tag where I'd written "2.5 miles, 20 minutes". Wow, I ran 8 minute miles that day!
It was funny because I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was so afraid that I would be the slowest runner that I started in the back of the pack. When the race began I could hardly move; the crowd of runners before me moved so slowly! It took at least 1/4 mile before I could even take on a "jogging" pace. It seemed like forever before I could get into my "running" mode.
I remember being so disappointed with my time. After all, I ran a 10 mile loop in less than 1 hour during my weekly runs. I was in my early twenties and I had a lot of energy and endurance. An 8 minute mile was a huge let-down!
I never made the same mistake again. In subsequent races I positioned myself closer to the start line and my time improved!
I had to laugh though when I saw the ribbon...I would be so happy if I finished a race now with an 8 minute mile pace! If I crack a 12 minute mile I am ecstatic!
When the water started pouring in, I went up into the attic to save anything that was in harms way. I frantically dragged boxes of cherished items out of the way. When I thought all things of value were safe I looked over and saw a purple ribbon. I picked it up and realized it was my participant ribbon from the very first race I ever entered. It was from 1978....the Tow Path Run in eastern Pennsylvania. I looked at the tag where I'd written "2.5 miles, 20 minutes". Wow, I ran 8 minute miles that day!
It was funny because I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was so afraid that I would be the slowest runner that I started in the back of the pack. When the race began I could hardly move; the crowd of runners before me moved so slowly! It took at least 1/4 mile before I could even take on a "jogging" pace. It seemed like forever before I could get into my "running" mode.
I remember being so disappointed with my time. After all, I ran a 10 mile loop in less than 1 hour during my weekly runs. I was in my early twenties and I had a lot of energy and endurance. An 8 minute mile was a huge let-down!
I never made the same mistake again. In subsequent races I positioned myself closer to the start line and my time improved!
I had to laugh though when I saw the ribbon...I would be so happy if I finished a race now with an 8 minute mile pace! If I crack a 12 minute mile I am ecstatic!
Grete Waitz, my hero from the 1970s!
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