I ran a maratón today

Sounds more impressive than it is. A maratón can be any old race. This one was "approximately 7.5 K" -- just a fraction of El Maratón (42 K). I went alone (Ian took care of the pibe this time), so I had plenty of time to think about how New York and Buenos Aires races compare. In the only-in-New-York column, you have heart monitors, GPS pace-setting devices, dry weave outfits that cost hundreds... and then the race ends with a banana and a bagel for replenishment. In the only-in-Bs-As column, there are the girls in white spandex leading the warm up exercises, the mate sipping on the sidelines, the "No a las papeleras!" protest signs thrown in for good measure... and the race ends with water. So, I miss New York's bagels more than anything else.

Today was a big deal for me because it was my first post-pregnancy race. I realized how much I missed them. I kept my same old strategy: I lined up about 2-3rds of the way back in the pack and then I scoped out which bodies ahead of me I wished I had. Those are my pacesetters. (Ok: I have my watch on & I know approximately what time I want to beat, but the kilometer markers are a little unreliable in casual Argentine races, and following a nice butt is amusing.) As usual, I went through several pacesetters, because running bodies can be so misleading. Some big butts can moove & some sculpted rears just give up and walk. But I'm an experienced racer, so I took this in stride.

Success. I met my time goal & got a free t-shirt & had an excuse to see all the construction sites of soul-sucking Puerto Madero, which is really kinda beautiful on a sunny Sunday morning.