No. 79

Beautiful morning

If you stopped yourself every single time you were about to say, “I have to” and changed it to “I get to,” it might change your entire experience.

~ Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run

Beautiful sky

M and I got up early yesterday so we could go to Salisbury and participate in A Day in the Park: The Nevaeh Bishop Memorial Epilepsy 5K Run & Walk.  When I first woke up, I thought, “I have to get up,” followed by, “I don’t want to” (drag out the word “want” and insert a whine in there).  Once we got to the park, my attitude changed to “I get to…”

One of the bridges at Salisbury Park

The race took place at Salisbury Park, a place I want to go back and explore at a slower pace.  I took Lulu (my little point & shoot camera) with me since she’s a lightweight and easy to carry.  Most of the photos I took are terrible because I was moving, but I did get a few that are good enough to use for this post so you can get some idea of what the park is like.

Get ready, get set…  (Bet you were expecting the funny toe shoes.  These are minimalist shoes, said to be almost like walking barefoot.  I need to invest in new funny toe shoes as mine have endured a lot of use, and it shows.)

The morning was delightful.  It was warm (almost 70 degrees!), and there were just enough clouds to make the sky look interesting.

Go!

There were not a lot of participants compared to, say, the Color Run.  I was told about 100 or so registered.  I was number 79.  That may be about where I placed, too.  I’m like the turtle in yesterday’s post.  Slow and steady.

The autumn colors were amazing.

M and I were there for the fun of it, rather than the race of it, although it was a sanctioned race (and there were some serious runners there).  We walked, we jogged, we walked, we jogged, etc., and in the end it was my personal best for a 5K.

The Finish Line isn’t too far off.

As you can see, the wind from the cold front didn’t bare the trees after all.  It did, however, take enough of the leaves to give the ground some cover and color.

Getting closer

I don’t have any photos of the finish line to show you.  Scroll back up and look at the bridge.  We crossed that (running, of course), took a right, ran under the balloons, and voila!  We were finished.

I had a great time at this event.  Everyone was very friendly, and it’s always nice to be cheered on and do some cheering on at the finish line.

Circling

Later in the day, back at home, I collapsed sat on the deck for a while, enjoying the sunshine and remaining warmth of the day.  Turkey buzzards circled overhead, and came down so close that I had to tell them that I’m not dead yet.

Looking for food

And so ends my tale of a November 5K here on the Eastern Shore.  Thank you so much for stopping by, and joining me in the park.  I hope your weekend has been going well.  M and I went for a hike today.  I’ll be back tomorrow with stories from the Pocomoke River State Park.

Riding off into the sunset.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

P.S.  Rumor has it that M won first place in his age group at the 5K.

Today’s joys:  The deep, rich blue of the November sky.  The little birds that flit around me while I’m walking through the woods.  A long hike in the woods.  Sore muscles from a good workout yesterday.  The brilliant hues of the foliage.