As I stood at the start line of the CHaD, I went over my race plan in my head - First 7 km at a talking pace, next 7 km at race pace and the final 7 km give it all you got. The race director and the head of the Children’s hospitals gave announcements and speeches, however I could only focus on the race ahead, on my plan and my strategy.
Moments later we were off. Deep, deep into my own race and head, for the first few kilometers, I focused on my form, and repeatedly reminded myself to not go too fast. Conserve your energy, you can catch up later, you can do this.
These thoughts, however, were abruptly interrupted moments later by the words “how you doing?”. Being so focused on my own race, I hadn’t noticed two men that was running beside me. I was startled… talking to people was defiantly not in my race strategy, but I breathlessly replied that I was doing alright. We ran the next few kilometers together, chatting here and there.
Soon we had passed the first 7km mark, and one of the men had dropped off, leaving me and the pacer. We then started to talk strategy together. He planned out the rest of the race as if we were a team. Telling me that we wanted to come back into New Hampshire strong and really work the hills. He helped me grab the water and Gatorade handed out by volunteers on the side of road, and ran ahead to make the crowds cheer as I ran by.
The last 7 km were some of the hardest I have ever ran in my life. I thought at some points that I was going to have to stop, that the grueling hills of the Upper Valley had gotten to me. However, I turned to my partner for support. He urged me on, and pushed me through right to the finish line.
A race that I thought I was going to run alone, and a sport that I previously thought was an individual sport turned out to be a team effort. The pacer, whose name I never even had the chance to ask, made me appreciate running and racing in a whole new way. He broke me out of my head, and made me appreciate the surroundings. I took in the entirety of the course, the volunteers and my triathlon teammates cheering me on, the beauty of the course, and the signs on the side of the road reminding us that we were running for a greater cause.
My partner made me realize that accomplishing something as a team is so much more fulfilling than accomplishing something by yourself and for that I am truly grateful.
SBR,
Charlotte
About the Author
Charlotte is a 19’ who has been on the triathlon team since her freshman year. She is pre-med and studies geography. She loves travelling, and spending time with her friends and family.
