Flying Pigs in Northfield!

Finally after a few weeks (vacation is SO over), I get to color in another little pink square: the town of Northfield. I headed down there this morning to run in the 34th Annual Flying Pig 5K, a race I have often been interested in doing but never managed to get to. The 5K is part of a weekend of Labor Day events that includes a street fair in the town square. The smell of fried dough was in the air, hardcore bingo players were at it, and kids were shooting the puck with Norwich U. hockey players. I came close to buying a used Nordic Track ("make an offer") at the firehouse flea market. Unfortunately I did not get a photo of myself with the large inflatable pig.
Today I was sleep deprived and mentally and emotionally drained from my first week of nursing school (among other things), but I am so glad I went. Feeling strong and accomplishing a good 5K effort on a beautiful sunny day was just what I needed. Friendly faces were there from the minute I pulled into the parking lot (thanks, Russ, for finding me a space!) and it was great to see everyone having a good time. There was an older man who ran wearing the same 1981 Green Mountain Marathon t-shirt that I claimed at my Dad's great 70th birthday t-shirt giveaway last year. Honestly, I don't think going to a running race has ever been a bad experience. Even when I've had a bad race or been sick (or unconscious), I've taken something good from the event. To any of my MEPN classmates reading this, the moment I realized I wanted to go to nursing school was when I was in an ice bath with a temp of 104 after finishing a 10K (of which I can't remember the last mile, although the photos show me stopping my watch at the finish line).
Anyway, today I was psyched that I atypically responded to Megan Valentine's encouragement at Mile 1 with a crazy burst of speed (the "yes I can" that is increasingly replacing the "nope, I can't"), and it was fitting that Megan later gutted it out to pull out the win! At Mile 2, I spotted former MHS XC skiing teammate Kathy Reed, who lives nearby. We met up after the race and she graciously offered me use of her shower, which was very sweatily needed. Kathy told me (as I struggled to keep pace with her walking back to her house: Note to my kids, I have found a faster walker than myself!) about how her neighborhood had been flooded by Hurricane Irene, just over a year ago. Their house suffered significant damage and they were unable to live there for many months while making repairs. Sadly, numerous houses in the neighborhood have been abandoned. But, judging from the event today, the town of Northfield has a strong spirit and has rebounded well. I'm grateful that I got to run there today.