The Mini

For the past two years, I have wanted to take part in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon. It is an annual event in Dublin- a 10 kilometer race that is for women only. It is the largest event of it's kind in the world! This year I did it. There were over 40,000 women who participated. (There were men dressed in drag who also ran.) It was wet and cold. I was among the walkers and joggers and we were packed tight waiting. Before the race started, I felt like I was a cow in a holding pen. Plus, I ate a great breakfast, but no lunch. At 2:45 (the race started at 3) I was really hungry. Not a good way to start a race. Thankfully, a very nice lady gave me her granola bar and it wasn't long before I felt much better.


(An aerial view of the women waiting for the race to start- This photo is from the Dublin Evening Herald Newspaper.)

Now, you should know that I have never been a runner. (Fitness For Life in College was painful when I had to run a mile twice in a single semester.) This March, when I registered for this race, I decided that I would try to run. I hurt my knee in April and had a good month when I really didn't do any running. Plus, we have been very busy- so I haven't run nearly as much as I wanted.


The beginning of the race was still packed! (See above photo.) So- there was lots of weaving in and out- trying to find a place to run. I ran mostly on the sidewalk for the first few kilometers. It started to thin out a bit after the third kilometer.

I didn't see any signs after the third kilometer and thought I had gone really far- and then I saw the 5 km mark. Ugh. Only half way! At the 6 km. mark- I took a quick detour to the little girls' room (it wasn't very quick either) and continued on my way. (MUCH happier!)

There were these cute boys (a little younger than Jake) at the water station at kilometer 7. They just made me smile and I started to think about how far I've come since March. By that point, I decided to enjoy this. So-
* I thanked everyone who clapped us on.
* I appreciated every beautiful old church that I passed.
* I high 5'd the "Clowns for Haiti" at km. 8
* I appreciated the sign that said, "Your legs may hate you- but your heart loves you!" (Did I mention that Flora is a brand of margarine that is supposed to be heart healthy?)
* I thought about the other 40, 396 other participants. I'd love to know some of their stories...
* I knew that Danny was waiting for me by the finish line and that kept me moving!


A view of people nearing the finish line- what a difference from the starting line.


The finish line- I'm the one in light pink with aggressive elbows.


I did it! I finished my first 10 k ever and I did it in 1 hour 10 minutes and 44 seconds. I think that is respectable. (I was optimistic when I left the house- see the sunglasses? I didn't need them- it rained the entire race.)


A very cheesy looking photo- but I got my medal!

Thank you Flora!