Could I do it? Would I be mentally strong enough? Are my lungs having a good day? Will my legs last?
Did I train hard enough? Did I wear the right underwear?
Yep…all thoughts as I drove myself to my 6th half marathon race on Saturday morning. I had one goal in mind….. to set a new personal record (PR). I had been trying for almost 2 years to break the 2:10 mark (2 hours: 10 minutes) and had almost succumbed to the fact that maybe I should be happy with a 2:10 and count my blessings. But, the day before the race a very good friend of mine, Trisha, challenged me to beat her PR which was about 5 minutes faster than mine. Game On.
I usually have a couple adult beverages on Friday nights with some of my favorite people, but because of the race the next morning, I stayed in and tried to rest despite the butterflies in my belly. Saturday morning I got up, showered, shimmied my way into my running capris and sports bra, grabbed my inhaler, pre-workout drink, IPod Nano, and out the door I went to meet my running group called “Running Sole Mates.” Clever group name, huh??
After going back to the vehicle to get the pre-workout drink I had forgotten, and then using the bathroom for the 100th time that morning, I met them under the clock as we do every year. We are a group of running misfits who LOVE the runner’s high and have become addicted to the pain. Then we headed to the start line, where I realized I had forgotten my hand held race bottle and keys sitting on the bench by the clock. I panicked…..but had no time to worry about it. I must focus.
The countdown began….. 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1….and we were off. The first 4 miles is a straight shot through downtown & then we start winding around parks & beautiful neighborhoods. My comfortable pace is a 10 minute mile, but my last few training runs weren’t going so well. I knew by mile 2 I was running under a 9:30pace. By mile 4 came and I was still holding strong. A dear friend tapped me on the shoulder and we chatted for about a half mile before she took off after her own PR. I stayed behind her for about a mile before losing her at a water stop.
Mile 5: My pace was 9:27.
Mile 6-8: A bit of a blur. I was working really hard to focus on my technique and find a fast paced song.
Mile 10: Pace had dropped to a 9:37. I was wondering if I could hold onto that pace for 3 more miles.
Mile 11: Can I stop yet please?? NO. But, I did slow my pace a bit. I ran into 3 very tall athletic guys wearing neon green T-shirts with their names on the back. They had a good pace & were having fun giving children high 5’s and chatting/being silly while they ran. I wondered how that must feel to have energy like that at mile 11. I knew I needed to stay with them and they kept me entertained.
Mile 12: OMG – I. CAN. DO. THIS. The dialogue in my head “Don’t slow down. You will be so pissed at yourself. If you slow down and are just a few seconds off you will have ruined all your hard work the past 12 miles. PUSH!!!” (Followed by a lot of prayers.)
Mile 13: Upon nearing mile 13, the crowd starts to get thick as you run into the stadium and to the finish line. This is the fun part. Let me paint the feeling…. Your lungs are tired, your legs are aching, you are thirsty, Salt is covering your body, you cannot feel all of your toes, and people are watching you. “Pull it together, Lisa…… Lead By Example!” was the reoccurring thought at this stage. Then there was a steep downward ramp into the stadium “Don’t fall, Don’t fall. Please God… don’t let me fall.”
Onto the red outer track of the outfield which runs all the way around and to home plate. That is a little over .10 of a mile. I was concerned about the clock…. So my pace picked up. I also saw a lady who was older and bigger than I who was about 20 feet in front of me. No way in hell was she going to beat me (did I mention I’m a bit competitive?)……and I sped past her. My body was aching, but the finish line was 150 feet away. I crossed the line, gave a fist pump, and immediately overwhelmed with emotion. I knew I had PR’d but not sure by how much!!!!
Now….. once you finish a race, they usher you through a line towards water, food, and your medals. I recognized no one, so made my way to the grass to sit down and stretch. While in child’s pose, my eyes may have leaked a little….not from the pain of my body but from the accomplishment I had just done ALL BY MYSELF. I DID IT!! Then….my phone started blowing up with texts from friends who were tracking me and saw my finish time. My friend, Drew, told me my time: 2:06:53. I beat my old time by 3+ minutes!! BOOM! That medal was a sweet keepsake.
The rest was surreal. I made my way up the stadium stairs to find my childhood friend, Drew waiting on me with a Gatorade. I may have cried, talked too fast, zoned out….. I’m not really sure!! My brain and body was tired and I zoned out with my chocolate milk. He walked with me to that bench under the clock and my water bottle with car key was still there!!!
As I was trying to clear my thoughts, more friends were coming up to me chatting about the race. Some set new records, others had a difficult race, but we ALL crossed the finish line!!
Did I mention we all do this because the ‘runner’s high’ is amazing?? Truly, it is. It’s a beautiful mix of body pain and mental jubilation! I had done it!!!! I had a new PR!!! I have yet to run down Trisha’s PR….. but that gives me a new goal. 🙂 Post run activities included food, fluids, ice bath, and rest! (Okay…. a couple pain pills too!) Recovery is VERY important….it will help you to feel much better by the next day! If you are unsure what to eat/drink…contact me and I will teach you.
This Sunday, I’m running another half marathon. This is the first time I will have ran 2 half marathons in consecutive weekends. I will then be considered a ‘half fanatic’ – just another title for us crazy runners.
Crazy we may be…….. but we are also mentally strong people who love pushing ourselves to see what our bodies can do. I challenge you to find out what your body can accomplish and how strong you are mentally. You never know how great you can be until you give it all you have.
** If you need some assistance accomplishing your fitness goals, I’d love to chat with you! You can reach me at Bashford.Lisa@yahoo.com or check out my website to find all my social media outlets!! www.YourFitness-411.com
YourFitness-411: Stronger Inside & out 