Op-ed: The joys of the New Castle10K run
May 23, 2008
by Andy Sparks
I’ve just run up and down the hills on Hardscrabble Road.
I’m now halfway through last Sunday’s New Castle 10K run. I ask myself: why am I doing this? My heart is pounding and my legs are already tired. I’ll be running past my house soon and the idea of turning into my driveway is appealing. But wait. I’ve been preparing for this race for the past four months. The thought of a “did not finish” is depressing.
I flash back to my last practice run before today’s race. It’s 4:00 a.m., Thursday, May 15 in San Francisco. I’m running up Nob Hill. I’m surprised. After several years of running hills in Chappaqua, Nob Hill doesn’t seem that hard. I head to Fisherman’s Wharf and hear the seals barking. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.
Chappaqua’s diverse terrain makes it a great place to run
My thoughts turn to running in Chappaqua. With its wide variety of scenic routes, ranging from moderately easy to very difficult, Chappaqua is a great place to run. It’s also convenient. I just open my door and start running, with a friend, my children or simply by myself. I can converse with my running partner or lose myself in thought and push away the more stressful parts of my day.
I re-focus on today’s 10K. I’m struggling. I tell myself: just make it up the hill on 120. Somehow I manage to do so. Two miles to go. The downhill on Roaring Brook provides relief, but coming up is the last major challenge, the short but steep hill on Cross Ridge. Once again, I cajole myself to tough it out. I keep running. I’m now approaching the bridge over the train tracks. I’m not sure I can make it to town hall. I force myself to put one foot in front of the other. Eventually, I cross the finish line.
50 seconds faster than last year
I run truly hard only for the annual New Castle 10K. The rest of the year, I go slower and enjoy myself. Today I’m tired and sore, but satisfied. I finished 50 seconds faster than last year. That’s nice, but more rewarding is the camaraderie and feeling of good cheer among the race participants congregating at the finish line.
It’s now Monday morning. I’m on the platform waiting for the 5:01 a.m. train. I encounter a new friend from yesterday’s race. We compare notes. We both agree our town’s 10K is a gem of a race. Yesterday’s struggle is now engraved in my mind as a victory. The race was difficult, but I gave it my best and did not give up. I ran a good race.
Andy Sparks has lived in Chappaqua for six years. He has been running for the past three years and has now competed in three New Castle 10Ks. He tries to run 3 - 4 times a week.
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