Big Decisions

It was a cold but beautiful morning to vote.  Headed to the polls straight from the pool after morning practice.  The last presidential election we were living in San Francisco.  We got up early and walked around the corner in our jammies to vote as soon as the polls opened so we wouldn’t be late for work.  Different crowd, different election, same vibe at the polls.  There is something to be said for being part of the process.

It’s been a long time, but it’s happened again.  After a tenuous year, I have fallen back in love with running.  I don’t know if it’s the colder weather (which, by the way, has gotten much colder…first frost of the year was yesterday), or the fact that I haven’t done anything too long yet, but this weekend I did 5 miles on Saturday afternoon followed by 7 miles on Sunday morning…with no pain.  I am hoping that I’ve finally shaken whatever it was that was plaguing me this whole past year (knock on wood).

While riding that high I compulsively signed up for the Smokies Half Marathon in December…because it’s always easiest to make these commitments when you’re sitting on the couch in your sweats.

The race is in Seiverville, TN, which is right next to Gatlinburg.  I’ve never been to Gatlinburg, but Paul’s has been talking about going since we moved to Kentucky.

I didn’t realize until after I signed up that it is a Santa Hustle.  Pictures of the starting line last year look something like this:

My mother’s personal hell (she has this inexplicable, aggressive aversion to those Santa hats.)  The race packet comes with race uniform: Santa shirt, hat, and beard.

Also, in most pictures, it’s snowing.

I have yet to find anyone to run it with me…invitation is still out there.