Run Among the Lakes

Up early for my second Run Among the Lakes 5K. Since I hadn’t trained, I planned to walk at a brisk pace and enjoy myself.

75° when we started, so a little warm, especially since I’d acclimated to the New Zealand and Sydney weather. But still pleasant enough. Clear skies. 

The local Baptist pastor prayed over us, he led a very few of us in singing the national anthem, and we were off. I always start at the back so I don’t get trampled by the fast runners and those who think they are. There is always a few that have to bull their way through to the front. Your time doesn’t start until you cross the start line, so I don’t understand this need.

The route had changed from last year, staying more in central Windermere rather than heading south to 13th Avenue. As usual, I hadn’t bothered to learn it, figuring I’d follow the herd. I figured right.


I kept up my steady pace, focusing on a person in front of me to catch up with. I learned this technique from Coach Howard when I first started running with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners. He said to think of a large rubber band around the person and to let it draw me to them. Once I caught up, throw my imaginary band over the next person and continue on. I’m always amazed how well this works. 

Soon, I’d crossed the finish line, gotten a drink of water, eaten a bag of pretzels, and texted Grant to pick me up. I re-used my paper cup (still avoiding plastic water bottles and cups if at all possible) to receive the free mimosa from the realtors on the corner. This time it came with a voter’s guide from an arch conservative so now I have an easy way to know how to fill out my ballot: exactly opposite.


While I enjoyed the lovely day, my high school girlfriends who moved to North Carolina to escape the Florida hurricanes are still without power a week after Hurricane Helene devastated the south. So far there are 225+ dead, likely more, and thousands who lost their homes. An absolute tragedy. Is there any place safe? One wonders.

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