The forecast was cold. The forecast was snow. But, like a stubborn Chicagoan, I decided to not chicken out of doing the Shamrock Shuffle 5K on March 29th.
Believe me, when I saw the mounds of snow on the ground and the bitter snow still falling, I wanted to back out. However, the need to not be the one to say "umm...let's all just stay inside and watch reruns of Family Ties" propelled me to get up, grab my sneakers and gloves and brave it.
I was not prepared. Sure, I dressed warmly, but, today, people participating in the Shamrock Shuffle needed major protection from the elements -- especially on their feet.
I sludged through the snow and ice for those 3 point whatever miles wishing I could go back to the start of the day and put plastic bags on my feet. I was sure I was about to become a member in the 9-toes-or-less club.
People were trudging (shuffling?) right along with us. Had we all not been freezing, the falling snow and views along the lakefront would have actually been picturesque. Instead, we all looked at times like we were participating in a fun run towards our deaths -- sponsored by Fleet Feet.
Myself, my friend Natalie (yay Nat!) and my boyfriend Timmy (hooray for Timmy!) made it through. Despite wanting to quit at one time or another, we made it across the finish line. We were cold, somewhat in pain and mostly numb. We were all very proud of each other.
I was rejoicing in the humorous tale I had lived to tell until the feeling started coming back into my feet. It hurt, and I fell very quickly into the cavern of whiny jerks. I apologized then and still apologize for being a cantankerous complainer.
As they said on an episode of 'ER' (I can't remember which one), "Life is too short to spend it whining." I am pretty sure a patient coded on the table then.
Hey, I am just thankful the feeling eventually leveled out in my feet...and that I have an official Shamrock Shuffle T-shirt. And, I am still pretty freaking proud I finished the race.
