Let’s just put this out there right now – I kind of suck at snowshoe running.  There are specific stages I went through during last Saturday’s 5k race to come to this realization.  Here is a more or less accurate account of my rambling thought process while doing the race:

Denial:

“I’m a half decent half marathon runner, I can definitely snowshoe 5k.  Sure there are a lot of hills, but I’ve been doing hill training.  Yes the race starts on a hill that just seems to keep going up.   But look, the 4 people ahead of me on this single track are walking now up the hill.  I could totally run it but since I am behind them I will just have to walk too.”

“Damn, why are those people moving off the track and letting me go by???  Oh $#*! now I am the leader of this group.  I don’t want to be leader, I think the people behind me might actually want to be running.  Maybe I will just move off the track and let them by.  But I could totally run this hill if I had to.”

Anger: (this one is directed to you Mike Caldwell!)

 “Who the heck thought snowshoe racing on hills was a good idea???  What is wrong with snowshoe running on flat ground???  Why are there so many hills in Quebec anyway????

Bargaining:

“If the ground flattens out I promise to be a much better person, honest.”

This thought is interrupted by totally random thoughts to keep me going:

“Hey, five weeks from right now I’ll be getting ready to head to the start line for the Prague Half Marathon.  Oh, wait, there is a time difference.  Ahead or behind?  Would I be at the start line or the finish line at this time in 5 weeks?  Damn, not enough oxygen for my brain to do math.”  

Depression:  

OK, skipped this stage.  The thoughts of chili, beer and brownies kept me happy enough.

Acceptance:  

“I suck at snowshoe racing.  Oh well!  I’ll be back at the races next year regardless!”