Road Runner at heart

Today was the Cultus Lake Race.
What did I learn from today?
I am NOT a trail runner!
I did enjoy some of the variety, but good grief,
I had to concentrate TOO Hard.
And that took away from the running.
I felt like it was more a competition of concentration and maneuvering the elements,
More so than speed and endurance.
And let's face it- My friend Suzy would totally agree with me!
Suzy, you did fabulous! I am so proud of you.
Suzy inspires me: she is a Boston Qualifier! She is both sincere in heart and in legs.
She is a very dedicated runner.
My friend Angela inspires me-
She COERCED me to be her partner for this relay.
She is INSANE. In a great, runnerlike way that is.
She is a triathlete and has done the IRONMAN.
So yah, my inspirations are some goodly, insane women,
who also have children by the way.
But, my biggest inspiration today was my DAD.
My dad came to the start- in the pouring RAIN.
He looked so happy to be there.
You see, my dad and I used to train together a couple of years ago.
He would ride his bike beside me while I ran.
We even did a race together. He rode and I ran.
So to see him there today, gave me that 'father, daughter spirit.'
He even said he wished he could have been there running beside me.
I carried him the whole way along the route- In my thoughts, and heart.
I pictured him beside me on his bike-
But TRUST me;the terrain was not conducive to bikes.
I nearly fell down the cliff like terrain-once.
I slid down one of the hills like I was on a waterslide.
I had mud all over my legs.
And my shoes were soaked from 2km on, with 14km to go.
We seriously had to jump in knee deep puddles along the way. We could not even run around them.
As I was nearing the end, I did feel tired.
But the last couple of kms was road,
So I was happy.
It reminded me that I am not a trail runner; I AM A ROADRUNNER.
And I will keep it that way, thank you very much.