7 min/mile and the art of the awkward overshare

This morning I learned three things: I can still run 7 min/mile, I am still a competitive jerk and I am a master of the awkward overshare. One of my colleagues asked me back in February to sign up to run a 5k with her. I agreed and today was a perfect spring day to run. We lined up at the starting line and she told me she was going to try to keep up. The race started with a countdown (weird) and in the first 4 steps I said to her I am just going to go around some of these people. She took one look at me and told me to just go. Yup, in 4 steps I left the person who I signed up to race with because I already wanted to go faster. I have mellowed out in some ways, but I remain a seriously competitive jerk.

Halfway through the race I started thinking about how long a 5k was and how uncomfortable I was running. Then, I think the mantra of everyone who has ever had cancer tx, I thought to myself "I've had chemo, this is nothing". I finished the course in 21:47 or exactly 7 min/mile. My goal was to see if I could still break 22 minutes so I was happy. I however had a masterful awkward overshare moment upon finishing. I thanked/congratulated the woman who finished ahead of me. I stalked her the whole race, but was never able to catch her. She asked me if I was happy with my time or some other benign post race chit chat and I unloaded this beauty on her. "Yeah, I am happy with anything as I finished cancer treatment 2 months ago". Welp, had not intended to do that. She looked at me and said "Well, I'm stunned. How long was treatment?". Bless her she was really trying. "August through the end of February". Her: "Jesus. Were you able to exercise during it?" "Yup. Sometimes 3 times a week. I was really fortunate (In my head all I can think is this poor poor woman I have entrapped in the most awkward conversation, why for the love of Pete can't I stop myself and thank her for her kindness). "Well I've heard exercise can be helpful during treatment. Oh look there are the other people I was running with..." Sprints away. I apologize to you Bib#507.

Here's the thing, now that I am done with active treatment occasionally I still slip back into the all I know how to talk about is cancer mode. I do much better in long conversations, but occasionally with short interactions I am still oversharing. I'll keep working on it, but hey it's been 2 months and I know the more time I put between me and treatment I'll at least decrease the awkward overshare moments.

This song also popped into my head while running, also used in every running montage ever.