“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.
