Niagara Falls Half Marathon

What I expected: a deafening (read: annoying) roar of the falls for 2.5 hours. One time, I ran a race next to a man who dribbled three basketballs the entire way. Let me tell you, it takes all of about three seconds for a repetitive sound to really grate on your nerves when you’re running long-distance. So forget leg or foot injuries, what I was really concerned about going into this race was if I’d ever be able to hear again.

In reality the race provided: a peaceful, meditative run along the banks of a very long and lovely river. Views of gorgeous home, after gorgeous home, after…. Synchronicity in breath and stride with my mom. Fresh, high school spirit at every mile, encouraging us on. Is there any spirit more lively than a high schoolers? I think not. I also think that I never actually heard the Falls over the roar of that crowd.

Just before the end someone shouted out: “The first marathoners are coming. You’ve got to hurry to beat them.” And finally, I beat someone! Let’s not get into the fact that they were running twice as far, twice as fast.

My only gripe: a weak mommy bladder paired with limited porta-potties along the course, and long lines at each. Unfortunately, this combination added eleven minutes to my overall time. Eleven minutes! I could have knitted a sweater in the time I wasted waiting in line to pee during my race. But I digress.

Before the race, my mom ran into another runner with 5-month-old twins in the elevator of our hotel. You may be blown away that such a person would be running an endurance race. And especially that she referred to it as her “day off”. But I am here to tell you there is no person more equipped for such an event as the mother of babies. People, all we do is run marathons–day in and day out. So, to be able to do it WITHOUT your babies, why, it’s a walk in the park. I mean quite literally, it feels like that. And I suppose that is why after the race I was able to carry an 18-pounder on my front and a 30-pounder on my shoulders for the rest of our long, sight-seeing day.

Eleven minutes be damned, this is a day I’ll always remember feeling my best. A day that recharged my spirit and sent me right back into the flow of motherhood. Only stronger.