Bronchitis? No that was last week. This week, in memory of said respiratory infection (which I will miss so terribly) I got permission from the doctor to walk the world-class race that puts Spokane on the map, outside of it’s status as the only large metro area in eastern Washington. I’m not in good enough shape psycho enough to try to run 7.46 miles only seven days after being diagnosed with acute bronchitis. But I was anxious to be a part of such a big and fun event. And if that meant walking, I figured I could do that.
The Lilac Bllomsday 12K is actually bigger news than I thought. It’s billed as the largest timed toad race in the country. World-class runners from Kenya and other countries regularly participate in the event. It may only be a 12K but the course is far from flat, and this year over 50,000 people participated.
I’m excited. After a visit to urgent care a week ago I thought my goal of running Bloomsday was shot. My shoudlers slumped as we left the hospital. But given that I could hardly breathe I figured I’d be stupid to try it anyway. Five days later my doctor listened to my lungs and pronounced me free and clear – thank the goddess for antibiotics. I could do the race, she said, as long as I took my albuterol inhaler and walked for the most part.
As the race started it was all I could do not to run. Just like at Thanksgiving, the energy is contagious. Everyone is excited and bouncing and moving and yelling, and I just wanted to, well, run. But I was good. A few colleagues from Mr. A’s work who have participated in the race for years offered to let me walk with them. They were wonderful to talk to and they set a mean walking pace. I got to have it all – a good workout, good people to talk to, and funny people in costumes to watch. Walking fish, a storm trooper, clowns – the variety was reminiscent of Bay to Breakers, though not quite that extreme.
It was a blast. I have one small admission to make though. I did run. At the 7 mile mark I still had some energy to burn, so I broke with the pack and ran the last half mile. It felt good but I’m not sure I could have managed much more. Overall at a brisk walk it took me 2 hrs, 2 mins, and 25 sec to finish. I think I’m hooked because all I could think of was next year, next year . . .
