barbara-in-va
Well-known member
I had a fabulous experience yesterday afternoon.
First, I RAN my first race ever. Please note that I am not a runner and have spent most my life not running. DH on the other hand is quite a good runner and has been running since law school days. Currently we both go to an outdoor bootcamp class held 3 times a week. Our instructor invited us to join the neighborhood team running the 9-11 Annual Memorial 5K so we signed up.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon (ie no traffic) the Pentagon is 15 minutes from our house. The race began across the street from the Pentagon, looped through the Pentagon parking lot and ended back across the street. It was organized by the Arlington Police/Fire/Sheiff staffs and benefits groups like the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Survivors Fund, NY/NJ Transit Police Fund, Fisher House etc.
There were 3500 runners signed up. On the way over I was lamenting my pitiful abilities as a runner and that I would most likely by the last person to cross the finish line. DH was very encouraging and said this is just a 5K (3.25 miles for those of you, like me, who have no idea how far a 5K is) and the people that run a short race like this are generally not in top running condition and that I would be better than about 3000 of the people.
When we arrived to check in and get our numbers, looking around at the crowd, DH ate his words. There was an amazing show of all military divisions, fire departments, police departments, FBI, postal inspectors, on and on. I was so touched at the support of all of these groups.
We were sent off with the musical talents of a hugh marching band. Several of the military teams ran together as a team led by a person carring the US Flag and another person carring their branch/division flag. These teams sang their marching tunes through the entire race receiving HUGH cheers from the crowds and enormous burst of excitment, applause and shouts, when crossing paths with a fellow military team. As we passed the side of the Pentagon where the plane hit there were at least 6 men in full uniform playing bag pipes, these guys also received constant cheers and applause from the runners and various teams. The giant flag was drapped over the Pentagon, as we have all seen in the media, and it really stirred my emotions as I ran past it.
I do not have the talent for words as Marilyn and some others on this board, I wish I did so I could better share with you what a great experience this was for me.
BTW, My little neighborhood team came in 10th out of 28 teams! (No thanks to me....) Fortunately team times are only based on the top 5 runners or the team. DH was third on our team, beaten out by a 13 year old girl who was #1 on our team! We were a proud team yesterday!
First, I RAN my first race ever. Please note that I am not a runner and have spent most my life not running. DH on the other hand is quite a good runner and has been running since law school days. Currently we both go to an outdoor bootcamp class held 3 times a week. Our instructor invited us to join the neighborhood team running the 9-11 Annual Memorial 5K so we signed up.
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon (ie no traffic) the Pentagon is 15 minutes from our house. The race began across the street from the Pentagon, looped through the Pentagon parking lot and ended back across the street. It was organized by the Arlington Police/Fire/Sheiff staffs and benefits groups like the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Survivors Fund, NY/NJ Transit Police Fund, Fisher House etc.
There were 3500 runners signed up. On the way over I was lamenting my pitiful abilities as a runner and that I would most likely by the last person to cross the finish line. DH was very encouraging and said this is just a 5K (3.25 miles for those of you, like me, who have no idea how far a 5K is) and the people that run a short race like this are generally not in top running condition and that I would be better than about 3000 of the people.
When we arrived to check in and get our numbers, looking around at the crowd, DH ate his words. There was an amazing show of all military divisions, fire departments, police departments, FBI, postal inspectors, on and on. I was so touched at the support of all of these groups.
We were sent off with the musical talents of a hugh marching band. Several of the military teams ran together as a team led by a person carring the US Flag and another person carring their branch/division flag. These teams sang their marching tunes through the entire race receiving HUGH cheers from the crowds and enormous burst of excitment, applause and shouts, when crossing paths with a fellow military team. As we passed the side of the Pentagon where the plane hit there were at least 6 men in full uniform playing bag pipes, these guys also received constant cheers and applause from the runners and various teams. The giant flag was drapped over the Pentagon, as we have all seen in the media, and it really stirred my emotions as I ran past it.
I do not have the talent for words as Marilyn and some others on this board, I wish I did so I could better share with you what a great experience this was for me.
BTW, My little neighborhood team came in 10th out of 28 teams! (No thanks to me....) Fortunately team times are only based on the top 5 runners or the team. DH was third on our team, beaten out by a 13 year old girl who was #1 on our team! We were a proud team yesterday!