Every Thursday, we have a trailrunning community time trial at 17h30. Our George Trailrunning (GTR) announced a special for this past Thursday (5th) and in two weeks time (17th) with Roccomamas, a burger restaurant. You run the route, log it on Strava, and then show evidence to the manager. You can then order a cheese burger for R50 instead of R99, a great saving.
You have to run the route on the same day that you claim your burger. There are also prizes up for grabs of an entry for the MUT 25km route and a R1000 burger voucher for the local legend (person who runs the route the most).
I knew I wouldn't make it to time trial with a hang-out with friends planned. Instead, I headed out at lunchtime. I left Rosy-dog at home so that I could really focus on the run. I've been running well and strong and I wanted to see what I could do on the route - a mix of road and trail.
I had a great, smooth run. I felt good throughout and I enjoyed pushing myself.
When I got back to Roccomamas, I saved my Strava and took a photo outside the store before going in to order. I showed the waitress my phone and asked if they'd been busy. No, she said. I was the first to come in. Strava showed too that I was the first person to run the course.
I took my burger home to share with my mom - a really delicious burger.
Being the first and only person on the course, I automatically had the crown as the fastest runner. That was nice but I knew it wouldn't last past the evening's time trial running.
I went out to see my friends. Getting home a few hours later, I checked my Strava to see where I was on the ranking after the evening's time trial.
I still had the crown! And I wasn't just the fastest woman, I was fastest OVERALL!
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| Charmaine ran again on Friday to log 26:47. |
I know that there are lots of people faster than me so I can't figure out why I haven't been beaten on Strava. Probably because the faster runners didn't log their runs to claim a burger and they are not interested in the prizes?
Another lady ran the route again yesterday. She improved her time but she hasn't caught me.
The problem with having the crown is that now I want to keep it. I like having the crown. That competitive flame burns strong.
For now, I'm owning the crown and relishing having it - for as long as it may be.
