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So this was the sixth annual Jaunt in Joint, a race held at a local prison. Members of the Nashville Striders team up with inmates to host a 5k, half marathon, and full marathon in the exercise yard. The 5k is 9 laps around the yard, and the marathon is a mind boggling 72 laps. Freeworlders also bring gently used running shoes to donate to the inmates.<br><br>
There were about 70 total runners this time, 25 freeworlders, and the rest inmates. Because the field is pretty small, they separated us into 3 separate heats, starting 45 minutes apart. Each runner was teamed up with an inmate timer who kept track of your laps and your time.<br><br>
It took longer than necessary to get into the prison, so the race didn't start on time. We had to sign in, go through a metal detector, etc. Peter, the guy who organized the race, gave everyone a race medal before we went in, since we weren't allowed to take them into the prison. So we all went back to our cars to put up the medals. (Inmates got a hat for finishing). It was supposed to start at 7 am, but the first heat took off about 10 minutes to eight. I was in the second heat, so I settled back to watch the runner. The half and full people all started in the first heat, too.<br><br>
I ran a race in this prison in May when I was six weeks post partum, so I was looking forward to a better time. I was still not planning on going on all out, though. I did the first three laps of the nine at a pretty doable pace, and then tried to speed up. I ended up running the last lap with a former client of mine. He has a parole hearing this week, and it was great to see how his attitude has really changed and how he's looking forward to starting a better life when he gets out. I obviously wasn't going all out in this race since we were talking during the last lap. He said it was only his second time ever running. I explained to him what a kick is, and we sprinted to the finish--he was about 5 seconds ahead of me.<br><br>
Finished in 29:20. Way off my PR, but more than 4 and half mintues off my time from the run in May. We left before anyone had finished the half or the full. There were three inmates and one freeworlder running the full. Someone said that one of the inmates finshed the full last year in under 3:30.<br><br>
Anyway, it's an awesome time getting to know the inmates and having them get the chance to run in a race. One woman was giving folks information for jobs when they get out. I am really looking forward to doing the 5k in the spring.
There were about 70 total runners this time, 25 freeworlders, and the rest inmates. Because the field is pretty small, they separated us into 3 separate heats, starting 45 minutes apart. Each runner was teamed up with an inmate timer who kept track of your laps and your time.<br><br>
It took longer than necessary to get into the prison, so the race didn't start on time. We had to sign in, go through a metal detector, etc. Peter, the guy who organized the race, gave everyone a race medal before we went in, since we weren't allowed to take them into the prison. So we all went back to our cars to put up the medals. (Inmates got a hat for finishing). It was supposed to start at 7 am, but the first heat took off about 10 minutes to eight. I was in the second heat, so I settled back to watch the runner. The half and full people all started in the first heat, too.<br><br>
I ran a race in this prison in May when I was six weeks post partum, so I was looking forward to a better time. I was still not planning on going on all out, though. I did the first three laps of the nine at a pretty doable pace, and then tried to speed up. I ended up running the last lap with a former client of mine. He has a parole hearing this week, and it was great to see how his attitude has really changed and how he's looking forward to starting a better life when he gets out. I obviously wasn't going all out in this race since we were talking during the last lap. He said it was only his second time ever running. I explained to him what a kick is, and we sprinted to the finish--he was about 5 seconds ahead of me.<br><br>
Finished in 29:20. Way off my PR, but more than 4 and half mintues off my time from the run in May. We left before anyone had finished the half or the full. There were three inmates and one freeworlder running the full. Someone said that one of the inmates finshed the full last year in under 3:30.<br><br>
Anyway, it's an awesome time getting to know the inmates and having them get the chance to run in a race. One woman was giving folks information for jobs when they get out. I am really looking forward to doing the 5k in the spring.
