Annual Firecracker Run

COVID-19 “The Rona Era”

It’s the 4th. I’m indifferent. I have a lot of work to do. That’s my mood. The highlight of the 4th is our, Black Girls Run Boston Chapter Annual Firecracker Run. We’ve been doing this for the last couple of years. This is a good way to get our ladies together, have a run, and enjoy each other before the ladies go about their holiday weekend.

This is the COVID-19 year. Many of the ladies did come and we didn’t put up our pop up tent. This year 5 of our social sistas showed up at Castle Island at 5:30a.m. Everyone had on mask, some had tutus and others had sparkling sunglasses. Even in the Rona, the ladies were festive runners.

Once around the island is two miles. We told the ladies “ your run, your pace.” Some ran/walk twice around the island. Others did 12 miles and I did a 10k. When we finished our ambassador K had all kinds of healthy snacks and refreshments waiting.

I just kept a slow and steady pace. It has been a long time since I ran a 10k and I was determine to do it today. My knee pain would come and go but I kept a steady and strong strive, which I am thankful for.

There were people on the beach at 5:30a.m. Some walking and running. Others were camping out to get their 4th of July celebration spots on even if it is cloudy with an overcast and their are no fireworks.

I’m glad I was able to do this!

A funny thing happened. As K and I were sitting on a bend talking after she finished her 11 miles, this older white man came over to us, without a mask and started talking to us. He asked us about how many runs had we done…that was his opening line.

K was nice to engage with him. Then he went on a running conversation. Asking us if we had ever run a race in every continent. We said no. K said to him “ I bet you have.” Then he went on about his marathons, half marathons, how he did work or detail for John Kelley. He stared running when he was 67 and he is know 80.

The more he talked, the closer he would get in our space, the more I would move back .I wanted to be respectful because this man had a veterans hat but he wouldn't stop talking about all his running adventures. Then he asked if we have done the newport, Rhode Island Marathon. We told him no. He proceed to tell us about the route and how he volunteered and go into the race……then his wife, I;m assuming called him over to the car and told him to stop talking to us without a mask.

All I have to say. He came over to our space, period.

6.30 miles of water, sand, and pavement.