The dark, cool morning tricks me into thinking the race will be cooler than it is. It’s not nearly as hot as most of our training runs, but the warm air surprises me early after the starting gun. Still, I run and don’t walk at all on race day. Coach Dawn calls out to me from behind about 2 miles into the race. She asks how I am doing and I reply confidently and honestly that I am doing well.

While I never imagined having twins would include the benefit of a “spare” relay partner, I am grateful that my son will join me for the CS12. The July 4th medal he gave me hangs in my bedroom where I see it every morning as a reminder that running continues to bring our family together in new ways.

4 days before my Charles Street 12 Charm City Run training starts I receive a call. My partner for the CS12 Relay has rolled her ankle in the middle of a trail run. I am calm at first, and then it comes. What if she cannot run the race with me? Now is a good time to mention that my relay partner is also my 13-year old daughter. Before the trail run rolled ankle incident, I asked if I could write a blog for Charm City Run. The response was an enthusiastic “awesome” to the idea to chronicle the experience running the CS12 relay with my daughter.

Want to run faster and stronger? Try joining a group! Having a group has improved my running confidence, made me a smarter runner, and made running more fun. Confidence is always a work in progress, but I’m grateful to be a part of a group that supports one another.