Intrepid interplanetary Explorer Extraordinaire Elizabeth is here to tell you all about her experience during the rainiest 8K ever!
“Watch out, there’s a Stormtrooper behind you!” was not something I had ever expected to hear in… any context except perhaps at Disney World’s “March of the First Order,” but I heard it this past Saturday while attempting to finish the Rockville Rotary Twilight Runfest.
I didn’t see you for the first quarter mile or so, while I was still trying to keep up with Jenn. I had hoped that the rain might encourage me to push myself harder, but it turns out that once I’m soaked, it’s very difficult to find the motivation to go any faster than a brisk yet defeated walk.
Then, I saw you jog past me. Well, this is a new low. Someone running this race in a full Stormtrooper costume is beating me. Then I noticed the red and blue lights of the police cruiser behind me and realized that, aside from a couple pushing a stroller with a child in it, I was the last person in the run.
And that’s when I discovered that “not letting the Empire defeat me” IS enough motivation to get me jogging again.
I have no idea if you’ll ever read this, but if so: Hi! I’m the woman in the light blue jacket who sped up each time you passed her. I hope I wasn’t too annoying, and I want you to know that you inspired me that night. I also want to say, kudos to you for running in the rain with that outfit – you never even took the helmet off, which had to be pretty stuffy.
I also admired the Pride sticker on your right arm – I imagine the Empire isn’t very supportive of gay rights, so that was probably a great personal risk you took to wear it.
I’m not going to lie, seeing the shadow of your helmet on the pavement coming up behind me was surprisingly creepy, as well as the sound of rain hitting your armor. Coming down the home stretch, I thought I’d be able to get across the finish line before you did, but you ended up a few strides ahead of me. Congrats! I hope you made your personal goal for the run. 🙂
I’ll be on the lookout for you next time…
– Liz
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