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In races, I was never really worried about being last. It seems to worry a lot of others though. “But what if you’re last, Malena,” they asked. “So?” I usually replied.
It’s such a concern to some I started thinking maybe there’s an execution of the last participant no one told me about. In Team in Training, I only remember it mentioned once. The mentors said the last person usually gets the most encouragement, applause and fanfare. Well, my belief that being last didn’t really matter was tested in January. I was the last runner to cross the finish line in the South Texas Sizzler. The only reason the cheerleaders were still there to greet me was because my family asked them to stay. The tent where staff was handing out official times was packed up by the time I got to it. I was last. And I had a motorcade of police vehicles behind me announcing my arrival. Honestly, I did a “thank you now go away” wave to them as I entered the park where the finish line was. But they followed me all the way to the finish line. As expected, I did not die. I wasn’t hiding my face from people. If my face was red, it was because of the 10K I finished, not embarrassment. I felt what I usually feel after a race - hungry. So don’t worry about being last. I admit it's not exactly my goal, but it's not the important thing. Enjoy what you accomplished. Side note, later my sister sent me the following link and said it was my commercial:
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The Harlingen Half-Marathon is scheduled for November 16. It’s the first half-marathon in the city. And it’s scheduled on the same day as the Fiesta Marathon in Edinburg, an event already well established in the community. I’m really hoping the Harlingen Half-Marathon is a success. The fact that it’s competing against another event makes me apprehensive. I’ve only previously participated in the Fiesta Marathon 5K. I was hoping to do the half-marathon this year. Admittedly, I had heard of some issues with the longer runs in an earlier year. I haven’t heard of any recently, so the kinks may have been worked out. I haven’t decided which race to participate in. I’m associated with one of the regular sponsors of the Fiesta Marathon, so I’m a bit torn. The route for the Harlingen race was already released. How do you feel about routes that backtrack? Part of me is discouraged when I see people already heading back, when I haven’t even reached the halfway point. The upside is I know the route, when I’m heading back to the finish line. If you're not from the Rio Grande Valley, let me introduce you to the kind gentleman below. He's Tim Smith, the chief meteorologists for KRGV CHANNEL 5 NEWS.
While mostly geek, I do have nerd genes as well. That's means when I find a new interest I study it. I found some interesting notes.
Now, when I read that last one, I thought, "Seriously? Who's that trusting? Someone could steal it or do something to the water. No one does that down here." Then I learned Team in Training does that. They dropped off two water jugs before our run from Harlingen to San Benito. Of course, on learning this, I immediately jinxed them and said, "Really? I'd be afraid they'd be stolen or something." And they were. *Sigh* I got to drink and refill before they were taken. Unfortunately, the people running twice the distance I did weren't able to. Note to self: No more jinxing. |
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September 2017
AuthorFormer high school water girl (really) finally running. |