I was nervous about this race, mainly because this was my fourth (I think) time to run it. I had a benchmark to compare myself with, and I was nervous about the results.
I started off too fast, but was able to reign myself in as soon as I realized my mistake. Around mile 2, I was beginning to struggle, but I forced myself to stay with the stranger in front of me. At a water stop, he left me. I wanted to slow my pace, but I knew if I did, my chances of coming in under an hour would be slim as were any chances of a PR. I picked up my pace and tried to hold steady.
At the second water stop, I caught up with the stranger and followed him for awhile. It was over half way and I felt a surge of energy and went with it. I passed him and several others. But I knew the 'hill' was coming up. That hill gets me every time! It's just long enough and steep enough to suck the wind out of me. I made it up the hill with a very short recovery at the top. Two people passed me and I knew I was slowing so I picked up the pace.
At about the 5 mile mark, I was struggling both mentally and physically. I felt my pace slowing and those in front of me were getting farther ahead. The guy behind me was now in front of me.
Then I said out loud "You are not a quitter. You will not give up". I had to repeat it a couple of times, and then I dug deeper, to a place deeper within and slowly picked up my pace.
My friend came up beside me, and at that moment, I saw the finish line. And I saw the clock. I could do this. I could really get a PR. I gave it all I had. And I do mean all I had. At one point it felt like my feet were flying so fast I almost fell. You know how when you get 'ahead' of yourself.
Thankfully I stayed on my feet - and yes I got a PR - 56:27.
I started off too fast, but was able to reign myself in as soon as I realized my mistake. Around mile 2, I was beginning to struggle, but I forced myself to stay with the stranger in front of me. At a water stop, he left me. I wanted to slow my pace, but I knew if I did, my chances of coming in under an hour would be slim as were any chances of a PR. I picked up my pace and tried to hold steady.
At the second water stop, I caught up with the stranger and followed him for awhile. It was over half way and I felt a surge of energy and went with it. I passed him and several others. But I knew the 'hill' was coming up. That hill gets me every time! It's just long enough and steep enough to suck the wind out of me. I made it up the hill with a very short recovery at the top. Two people passed me and I knew I was slowing so I picked up the pace.
At about the 5 mile mark, I was struggling both mentally and physically. I felt my pace slowing and those in front of me were getting farther ahead. The guy behind me was now in front of me.
Then I said out loud "You are not a quitter. You will not give up". I had to repeat it a couple of times, and then I dug deeper, to a place deeper within and slowly picked up my pace.
My friend came up beside me, and at that moment, I saw the finish line. And I saw the clock. I could do this. I could really get a PR. I gave it all I had. And I do mean all I had. At one point it felt like my feet were flying so fast I almost fell. You know how when you get 'ahead' of yourself.
Thankfully I stayed on my feet - and yes I got a PR - 56:27.
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