Scope it Out

The other night, we ordered Chinese food.  My fortune cookie declared “You like challenges.”  I was disappointed because 1. This is not a fortune, it is a statement. 2. This is a false statement.  Over the past few months, I have submitted to the hebetude that accompanies the winter months.

Embracing the arrival of spring, I signed up for the Scope it Out 5K. Appropriately titled, the Scope it Out 5K benefits colorectal cancer research and awareness.

After a weekend that included wine tasting, eyeing the big screen, and some birthday shenanigans, I thought this 5K would aptly compliment my unproductive weekend.  Still recovering from a cold, I threw on my Under Armour mesh gear and jumped on the Metro. Destination Freedom Square, Federal Triangle.

Three observations that told me I was not at the zenith of my affinity for challenges:

1.    About 10 minutes into the race, the race’s frontrunners had already circled around and were passing me on their way toward the home stretch. Adiyot Endale, the ultimate winner, finished with a time of 14:34.

2.     My dream of being the victor shattered, I devised a more obtainable goal. To beat the two prepubescent girls ahead of me.  I succeeded, but not without mentally amending my fortune to read “You like challenges if you know you can win.”

3.  In the end, when the results were posted, I was excited to see that I finished right in the middle of the pack for my division (Males 20-24).  Scrolling down, I realized that half of the people that finished behind me opted for the walking portion of the run/walk.

Upon returning home, I took some Nyquil and went back to bed. At 2pm I was confusedly awakened by Megha’s phone call.  Megha had just gone on a date, simply described as horrid, and in order to avoid being escorted home, had fabricated a lie.  She had to meet one of her roommates at Barnes & Noble.  Not to worry, apparently Mr. Horrid had to do some book shopping anyway (read: Wanting to catch her tangled in her web of lies, Mr. Horrid eyed Megha from the Non-Fiction section waiting to see if she was being truthful).  Caught in her charade, she turned to me.

Channeling my newly publicized running skills, and some of Adiyot Endale’s, I embarked on the 15 minute run to Barnes & Nobel. Using proper breathing techniques, high knees, and a focused commitment on my end goal, I successfully navigated the streets of Arlington.  Nothing like a damsel in distress to remind me that maybe I really do like challenges after all.