Boston 10k for Women

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

Today was the “ in-person” Boston 10k for Women. Last year was virtual, of course. This year the race is back. BGR-Boston is one of the charity teams for this race. Of course we were going to show up and shine. The day started early. Before we run, we set up. Vendors and charity teams had to show up on the Boston Commons by 5:30a.m. to set up their tents. The race started at 8a.m. We had to have everything ready by 6 a.m. I give all the love and mad props to my co-ambassador K. She was there with all our swag and gear. She had two of her friends and BGR ladies with her to help set up.

This was the calm before the storm. The quiet with a bit of a buzz in the air from all the set up and organizing that happened to get ready for the day. As dark turned into light, you could see the tents and layout of the commons for race day.

We had 17 women on our team. There were a couple, running this race for the first time. That was exciting.

It was good to mingle with vendors and see so many ladies out to run. I will admit, there was nothing said about vaccinations, having a Vax card, wearing mask or any kind of COVID-19 policies. I had my mask around my neck.

This was a race I was familiar with. When I did the virtual last year, I ran the route of the race, alone. For this race, REI is one of the big sponsors. What was new was a REI cheer tunnel.

I was going to enjoy this race at my pace. I didn’t time it on my run app. I took pictures and ran. I did make a note around mile three my pelvic floor got tight. I don’t think I stretched myself out well before running and I paid the price for it. And it got hot yesterday morning.

8 a.m. is late for me to run anyway. I wasn’t expected it to get hot. I might have gotten a sunburn. I should have known because walking out of the house this morning it was warm at 5 a.m. I thought it would have been cooler.

Running the course was fine. I saw my stalkers and many cheer signs that said “ Be thankful this is not Squid games.” That was the best. Seeing my ladies run was fun too.

At our BGR tent, we had many people come up and visit us. Mostly for the freebies, K , had put on the table.

Sidenote: a couple of the women, white women, came up and let us know their daughters were interested in BGR. When I asked one women how old her daughter was, she felt the need to show me a picture of her black daughter. I just asked how old she was.

Another, woman, white woman, came to our table to let us know that she donated to our charity Which is nice, I guess. I’m of two minds. It could be: I support you and I want you to know who I a.m. or I support you and I did a great thing and I want you to see me.

Other women of color, had no idea we even existed. I think BGR is known everywhere. Today reminded me of the bubble that we are in. Is our goal to let the running world we exist or is to to let other black and brown women we are here. I think it is both but we need to do a better job with both venues.

My thoughts for the day. To my surprise I had a 10:10min/pace and finished in 1:04:56, which I am happy about.