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Race Recap: 2021 F*CK 2020

“Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye” – Steam

This song lyric was in my head a lot on New Year’s Day. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to 2020 and to every mile I passed as part of the F*CK 2020 Virtual Run from Terrapin Events. The event had lots of options (5K or 10K, individual or team) but had to be completed during the first weekend of 2021. Since I ended 2020 in perfect style, by going to bed at 10:30pm after a Zoom party, I slept in and aimed for my run before the predicted afternoon rain.

For my race, I decided on a familiar neighborhood loop that completes most of the hills in the first half and a completely flat final mile. I’ve run this route about once a week for the past nine months. It is familiar and safe, with lots of spaces for social distance. And it can be super annoying because I have run it to many many many times in 2020.

So basically, the perfect course for this race.

Did I mention…

“Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye”

Thanks to the holiday and cloudy weather, there was no one on the sidewalks with me for the first three miles. I had a Buff gaiter on to protect from the chilly wind, and to pull when I got close to anyone. Cars passed by me occasionally, but the urban streets felt empty and ready for life to come back.

The weather was perfect for a 10K run, with cool temps and the rain just barely starting at the end, when I can’t tell if it is sweat or raindrops. With no finish line for this virtual event, I paused at a dumpster near my home for a quick glamor shot. As I shared on social media that afternoon, the fact the dumpster was not on fire already provided some hope for 2021.

I uploaded my finishing time into the Terrapin website before heading off for a shower. They require finish times to be entered race weekend; otherwise, you will not receive a medal and shirt. The benefit is that I earned that medal. The downside is having to wait over a month for it. Ah well. It will still be 2021 (not 2020) when it comes.

Goodbye 2020. Let the door hit you on the way out.

About Author

Educator. Learner. Runner. Writer. TBD.

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