Welcome to another great Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up where Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Jen from Pretty Little Grub, Michelle at Fruition Fitness and I bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us each week by reading along, linking up and grab the button to proudly display on your blog/in your posts!
When my mom told me she wanted to run a 10k, I could barely contain my excitement. She caught the race bug after completing her first 5k back in 2014, but after suffering from and getting through another bout of cancer, she wanted to prove that she was even stronger than before. I immediately hopped on the computer to find a fun one we could do together. My criteria was as follows:
- Must be in the NYC or Philadelphia regions
- Must be a beautiful course
- Must be in a warm-weather month
- Must have a medal
The last must-have was the trickiest part. Not many 10ks offer medals, but after doing some perusing, I found the perfect race: The New York Mini 10K!
This race is the world's original women-only road race. It was founded in 1972 and named for the miniskirt (so fun), and it empowers women of all ages and fitness levels to be active and to look and feel great on the run. Sounds perfect for my mom!
She trained for weeks and weeks. She was so excited when she ran her first 5-miler. Isn't that such a great feeling? When you run your longest run ever and it was just for fun?!
Anywho, race day arrived before we knew it. We met in Central Park all decked out in our race-day outfits. I made us special t-shirts (they say Fuck Cancer!) and my mom made the adorable tutus.
After a porta potty stop, we headed to our corral and took the obligatory pre-race selfie.
The first group of Speedy McSpeedersons were off a 8am, and we crossed the starting line (right near Columbus Circle) around 8:15. Will and my Dad were there to cheer us on along.
My mom told me that every time she goes for a run, she has to poop 3/4 of a mile in. She tries to go before hand, but nothing seems to get things a-going. Sure enough, right before the 1 mile mark, she needed a stop. Luckily, there were porta potties just ahead. If anyone has tips for how to poop before a race, please pass them along! ha!
After that quick stop, we were back to running down Central Park West and soon we were heading into the park. I told my mom that one of the biggest hills (Harlem Hill) was up ahead, and she mentally prepared herself. We just kept talking all the way up the hill, and before we knew it, we were over the hump and on our way down.
My mom had developed a bit of a goopy cough the week before the race, so she was nervous that it would effect her run. Even though she said her goal was to simply run the whole thing and finish, I knew she secretly wanted to keep a sub-15 minute pace, so I secretly tried to keep her on track for that. She kept saying, "We're probably running 20-minute miles." To which I replied, "Nah... don't worry about it!"
Luckily, the cough wasn't prohibitive. My mom kept a solid pace, and we made our way up the second big hill of the course. I sang Eye of the Tiger to help power her up the hill, and by sang I mean I somewhat but not really methodocally said, "It's the eye of the tiger it's the la la la la..." and continued some la las because I don't know the words.
Moving on.
Right before the top of the hill, we passed the half way point! WOOHOO! I knew the second half of the course would be much easier, so I told my mom we were in good shape.
Before long, we were making our way back to Columbus Circle and were in the home stretch! As we approached the finish line, I had a big surprise waiting for my mom.
I invited a bunch of family out to cheer her on at the finish line. She had no idea anyone would be there besides my Dad and Will, who snagged an awesome shot of her realizing that everyone was there to cheer her on!
We waved. We blew kisses. We thrust our hands in the air and we crossed that finish line. As we did, my mom screamed out, "Fuck Cancer!"
Yes. Fuck it. Fuck cancer. Fuck illness and heartache. Fuck all the terrible horrible things that try to tear us down and instead use them to make us stronger, like my mom does. She's been through a lot of shit, but every step of those 6.2 miles proved that she can do anything no matter what. She is strong. She is inspiring. She is awesome, and she is my mom. It doesn't get much better than that!
Actually, it does - because the rest of my family is just as awesome. Big thanks to Will, my dad, my aunts, uncles and cousins who came out to make this race extra special for my extra special mama.
I really loved this race. Not only is the course beautiful, but the fact that it's all women just gives it that little extra spark of awesome. Running this with my mom also makes this race really special. I think it will forever have a place in my heart, and I hope to run it again and again!
Plus, is this not the happiest 10k finisher you've ever seen?
Oh, and by the way, we kept a sub-15 pace despite the poop break. Take that, goopy cough!
Alright, my fit & focused friends, let's see what inspiring Wild Workout Wednesday things you've got going on. Check out the full link up rules here, and leave your links below.
Let's Chat:
What race holds a special place in your heart?
What has running/racing helped you prove to yourself?
Anyone have tips to help my mom poop before a run?
