I have 10 days until I either rejoice for having SURVIVED my half marathon, or my husband begins funeral arrangements. It used to be a different goal other than SURVIVE. I was going to finish is a time I could brag and boast about. I was going to pass old men on the trail (maybe the same old guy who beat me in my 5k in May). However, shortly after such dreams of glory and grandeur I got a nice little reality check. The 3 gals at the track this morning that were passing me on my sprints around the track were just one of many (and I swear they planned each lap so they could put me in front of them and then zoom on past me... I KNOW IT!)
I have a lot of runners that I know, am related to, or aspire to be like. My son is stinking amazing, and if his drive matched his talent, I would be the proud mother of a state cross country title holder. Still might. He has 2 good years left still. He's fast, and that wasn't too hard for me to figure out that I would never be as fast as he is.
He ran Ragnar in June...
as did my sister.
My sister has been running for awhile and will be running with me on this lovely journey next weekend. Unfortunately, her times from Ragnar race in June were to be part of my REALITY CHECK. Her 7.5 mile UPHILL run time was 74 minutes. That's below a 10 minute mile. My sister in law ran her 4 miles in 28 minutes. YEAH... hello... 7 minute mile. Unfortunately for me, she is also racing next weekend.
My cousin who ran her FIRST 1/2 marathon in May, posted a 1:48 time. 8:14 minute mile (I barely SPRINT that fast).
My friend and cousin's cousin ran a 1/2 UP the side of a mountain and down the other side and posted 2:10. She also ran a 5k in 23:17... 7:30 minute mile! INSANE!!
I know that running isn't a sport that is like basketball or volleyball where you can go in and WIN or not win (50/50 odds are pretty good).
I know that I have only been running for just over a year.
I know that running more than 1 mile used to be something I could never do.
I know that I cut 5 minutes off of my 5k time in 1 year.
I know that a 10 minute mile pace USED to seem like something UNTOUCHABLE.
I know all this.
I know.
But KNOWING and telling my competitive gene to go into hibernation are two very different
things.
So my goal is down to survival.
Going to go, run the thing, and not walk for the entire 13.1 miles.
Going to chant my mantra to myself the entire time: "this is a competition with YOURSELF, no one else"
Going to go have fun...
even if the old guy beats me
again.
3 comments:
You should be patting yourself on the back just for training! You are awesome! I got invited to be on a Ragnar team and turned them down. I flat out don't want to do it. At least you have the motivation! You Rock!
You are running a HALF MARATHON. That is amazing. And you're right--running is about being proud of yourself and competing aginst yourself. Have fun!
And don't ever compare yourself to Laurie--it never turns out well. Believe me, I've lived with that amazing woman for 33 years!! :)
Ha! Love my sister :-)
I am definitely my own worst enemy. I am bailing out of Hobblecreek this year. Why? Because I am running injured and know I won't PR. Why can't I just be happy with finishing! Because we are competitive, driven, and crazy women. But that's what makes us so strong! (and loveable ;-)
You have put the training in and you will be rewarded! You are going to do so great!
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