The race director was able to reschedule the race for this morning. There was also the option of deferring your entry until next year. I chose to run this weekend, hoping there were still some of the original group that would be as crazy as I am that I would be able to run with. With fingers crossed I watched the weather during the week.
This morning came and I woke to the sound of rain and wind outside.
I was hoping to keep pace with one of the girls I knew...we took off together...and she was able to start off strong. I was not. I kept in her insight til mile 2...then I just couldn't push anymore. I couldn't catch my breath, My legs hurt. I felt like I was running in the ocean. I decided that I would just run, no time goal in mind. I just wanted to finish the race running.
At mile marker 2 I decided I would dedicate each remaining mile of the race to people in my life. I have so many people that I share my journey with that I figured it would be easy. And it was. Mile 2 went to one of my girls who pushes me with my running even while training towards her own goals. Mile 3 went to another one of my girls who joins me for early and/or long tuns, even on days when she doesn't have to. Mile 4 went to me. For being strong enough to start this, for being able to keep this up and for being able to start life over at 36. Mile 5 went to the running groups that I am a part of and how very supportive they are; the adventures I've had with them and the challenges I've conquered with them. Mile 6 - I found a new friend.
While I was running I would say Thank You to the volunteers and the cops along the route. I cheered for the runners' friends and family along the side of the road under umbrellas waiting for their runner to come by but cheering us all on. I would tell any runner that passed me Good Job, Looking Good. And one answered back, We had an even pace and got to talking about our goals, our recent races, our training, our family members, how we got started...and before long we were at Mile 10.
She was beginning to fall back. We only had a 5K left. This we can do! We're wet, we're chilly, our sneakers are soaked. But we kept thanking the volunteers and the cheerleaders. And kept talking...telling stories. I told her about my first half marathon with my brother and his wife. We kept pushing up the hills and around the corners. Mile 11! We got this...only two more to go. I tell her about how I met my husband. Mile 12! We're almost there...push a little more...we're almost done...we're going to meet the goal time she had set for herself. I tell her about my first marathon...and my second marathon..and being dehydrated at my third marathon. And we're coming to the end. We can see the finish line. We push for a strong finish!
We did it!! If I hadn't found her I wouldn't have finished strong. I wouldn't have gotten out of my own head. I wouldn't have finished with a smile on my face and a new friend on my list.
When I started running in 2009 it was just me. It got me out of the house for me time. I would run the races competing with myself. I would push hard and try not to listen to the voices in my head telling me why I wasn't going to meet the goal I had set for that race. Within the last year or so, I try to have fun at every race, I say Hi to everyone. I thank the volunteers and the cops. I cheer on the runners and the spectators along the course. And I'll try to talk to runners that have the same pace. It makes a run so much less boring when you've got something to take your mind off of the aches and pains and voices in your head telling you what hurts. I'm grateful that the other runners don't mind listening to me talk. I'm grateful that there are volunteers and spectators that will cheer me on as I run by thanking them. I'm grateful I pushed myself to get out there this morning. This is a race that gets added to my list of challenges I've conquered. Woohoo!
I have spent the day refueling, resting and getting ready for the short week. I think I have finally warmed up.
