Have you ever visualized something, worked hard for it, spent weeks sacrificing…..just to have it completely erased within 24 hours of the big event? 

That is exactly what happened to me.  Less than 24 hours before my July half marathon, it was cancelled.  The July 7th half marathon was sponsored by my town’s version of The Biggest Loser.  And due to the extreme heat in NE Indiana (and much of the country), it was cancelled with less than 24 hours to go before race time.  I understand the reasons it was cancelled even though I wish it was handled differently.

If you are a runner, or have experienced a ‘runner’s high’ post run/race, then you understand why you cont. to run.  It’s an incredible feeling and I’ve had it plenty of times, so I was really looking forward to it.  Training this spring/early summer has been T-O-U-G-H to say the least.  When training for a long distance run, your family and you sacrifice many things.

•  sleep – so that you get up early enough to get proper nutrition to sustain your body during a long run and to beat the heat.
• I didn’t go out with friends on Friday evenings so that I was ready for Sat. morning runs.
• I experienced heat exhaustion on my 11 mile run.  I had to run it at 11am vs. early morning because my son had a baseball game and I couldn’t let him down.  It was 90 degrees at that time….but I completed the run visualizing the race, knowing it was going to be a hot run on race day.
• pain – my SI joint/hip were painful the last third of my training and I spent a lot of time trying to promote healing while not falling behind in my training.
• your family makes sacrifices too……to help support your long runs and time away on weekends.

Needless to say…..working hard for something and then not getting the chance to complete the goal is extremely disappointing, frustrating, and depressing.  10-12 weeks was spent on preparation for that big day.  How do you get over it?  I don’t really know….I’m still bitter and hit a bit of a workout slump because of it.  Runners also know that along with a runner’s high comes a mild let down because all the training/focusing you’ve been doing is finished until you sign up for another race.

I can only imagine the employee that spent week/months working hard and sacrificing family time for their company, only to have the business close its doors at the last-minute.  Or, the parent saving money and working overtime to pay for the big vacation, just to have a family member fall ill.  We all sacrifice, and we all work hard at something….and sometimes it just doesn’t work out.  When this happens there is no conclusion……no resolution………no shining moment……it’s just gone.

I do not believe in dwelling on the past or what’s lost.  I believe in picking yourself up and moving on.  Finding inner strength is difficult, but it can be done.  After a few days, most of my anger subsided and I chalked it up to the fact that the 10-12 weeks of training kept me focused and in great shape.  I plan on signing up for another half marathon in the fall and starting the training all over again in a couple of weeks.  Sounds kinda daunting, but I have felt kinda lost the past couple of weeks without having a race to visualize.

This has also helped me to realize that I need something to remain focused on when it comes to working out.  I need a program to complete, a race to run/bike, and it’s more to me than just my body staying in shape and losing a few pounds.  It keeps me mentally focused and is my outlet in this crazy busy life.  If you haven’t tried exercise as an outlet and for mental relaxation, you are missing out!  🙂

This girl is ready to move on, and start training again.  Train with me!  Contact me if you are also starting a new training regimen.  Let’s get back on track together.  www.YourFitness-411.com