run to break the silence

I signed up for a little 20K tomorrow. It's not exactly little, I know, but the prospect of not going over 13 miles is a fast relief. Since the race benefits an institute where deaf children learn to speak, I am additionally thrilled - for years I considered being a speech therapist. Verbal communication is part of what makes us human, although of course it does not radically distinguish us from dolphins or humpback whales.

The race starts at the Sandia casino and goes north and east into the Indian reservation. The flyer mentions an "all-terrain, cross-country course." I have never done this before, whatever it means. But I know, without opening an atlas, that the map in that area is blank. I guess they will somehow mark the route. I doubt I will be able to keep my pace under 10, but more and more I am trying to persuade myself not to get hung up on numbers.

Aside from an atrocious pink rubber brain model that summons me to "think oral deaf education," I am for the first time truly delighted with the goodie bag - a bottle of water, a green chile package from the local eatery 505 (think New Mexico), a yummy looking bar of honey roasted nuts (preferably pre-run snack), a fancy rubber to tie my hair with, and a cool T-shirt with a design in burgundy and green.

I am tempted to wear it tomorrow, but I will not. The race starts at 6:30 am. I will be a running heat-stroke candidate by the time I can end it.