It's Racing Day, It's Racing Day

Whenever I run a race I sing the words, "It's racing day, it's racing day, today's the day we race."  In fact, I sang this song to my Pittsburgh Relay Team the entire drive to Pittsburgh at 5:30 a.m.  The sad fact is this catchy little tune is song by the Backyardigans, particularly Uniqua - the purple something or other.  So, it was no surprise to me that I found myself humming this little number this morning on the big day of the YMCA TURKEY TROT.  I have a history with this race and once I was required to dress up as a decrepit turkey and run down the street for the kid's one mile jaunt.  Long story.  Today, I was very far from this Butler race (proctoring the SAT - a whole other story), but there in spirit!

Let's set the tone a little here.  Picture this a fun loving couple who share a gym each morning with their imaginary friends.  The female half of this dynamic duo is a swimmer and part maniac bike fanatic.  She peddles so hard, the bike is literally disintegrating.  New bolts, new pedals, any day she'll have lift off due to the speed.  The male, referred to in his heyday as the White Michael Jordan has embraced the fitness world and knows no boundaries. He shows up in red at the gym and the people (my sister) take notice of the situation.  Sab who is clearly a Daddy's boy, told his uncle that three miles on the treadmill is nothing, his mom can do way more than that.  I must say at this point, this Barbie and Ken team have far surpassed me.  I'm not going to correct Sab though, he rarely brags about me, why burst his bubble?

After a hearty meal of pizza with salad and excessive broccoli intake (I have an inside source), this running dynamic took over the city of Butler today!  Their time for the 5K truly spanks my own and my mouth hangs open collecting their dust.  Ever heard the saying a picture is worth a thousand words - yep I wholeheartedly agree.

My brother-in-law is the cleanest human being on the planet, with the exception of my mom!  It's not often I see him in athletic gear because I haven't been around to witness this running phenom and he showers frequently.  I must say though, he has running calves, holy smokes!  What's his secret?  What's on that Ipod?  Did he stop in the park and take a squirt of running goo - this I'll never know!

She might be short in stature but she is a real spit fire.  Look at her stride, I can't believe she doesn't pull a groin muscle with her legs that far apart.  I ran with her once and she was like a rocket.  No warm up, no let's gently ease into this, it was I'm in it to win it.  Kudos to the photographer, this is a real shot!  Her feet are off the ground!  If I had been lucky enough to witness this I would have seen her taking her hat off her head, wiping the surplus (I mean surplus) of sweat off her forehead, hands on hips, looking for the next thing to do.

So, it was racing day, just not for me.  220 people ran in this race, climbed the initial mountain (aka North Washington), took over the hill in the park, and breezed up the slight never ending spit inducing incline at the end.  Thanks to my inside source for sharing this day with me - even 5 1/2 hours (depends on who drives it, can be at record breaking speeds).  xoxo racers!  I'll be recruiting two teams for the relay this spring . .