Just over 4 years ago was the beginning
This morning about 67 minutes after I set out on my last long run before the Atlantic City Marathon, there was lots running through my head and I hadn't even started yet. they were thoughts of where this all started. September 27, 2009, That was my return to racing. a half marathon in Jersey City NJ, an inauspicious beginning. 2:11:21, a slow methodical start to a quest I had thought about long ago. Boston, not just running it but qualifying.
This morning was not the end of a journey, I still haven't qualified but, I have done wore that ever thought I was capable of, More miles, more Personal Records, more focus, more commitment.
Next sunday is not one of those races where, I just know I am going to crush my previous best and that will be enough, Sunday is an attempt to qualify, 3:40, holy crap, thats a scary time. It's interesting that even with missing 10-14 days of good hard training the least 6 week do to getting married ;-), I feel great about about going sub 4 hours, running maybe 3:48, 60 minutes off my previous best for the marathon, it would also only be the 3rd out of 5 marathons I would have completed.
Missing those training days had me disappointed, but running is not my job so its balance. Balance between, home, my partner, family and work. I remember Chris (my husband) walking with me miles 19-21 in miami, fighting off the muscle spasms, lifting my spirits. Then barely a year later wanting to run with me, races and together ( I did have to learn how to do that, we are both solitary by nature and guard our alone time, so its hard for me) running is my time to relax, relieve stress and just feel a bit free.
This morning, 8 miles after 2 days of my Cyclesanity spin class and a run before yesterday's class, I would have been satisfied with 1:12:00, yesterday, I can honestly say I was hurting a little and sore but, that was my plan. going in to today a little tired, just visualize the last 8 miles of the marathon. It's just going to hurt. 1:06:33, 8:19 pace I can only smile. All I was trying to do was get into a comfortable pace, something sustainable, my plan just do marathon pace for the 8 miles, as I took off I figured it would be an 8:40ish pace, somewhere near a 60 minute PR. 3:48.
I stopped for something to drink in Williamsburg, 4.2 miles into my run, now lets just get home. The pace was there on the way out, I was a little surprised at how my pace had picked up after the first mile and was consistent, it was BQ pace, not bad considering the last few days of training, now after a hydration stop would it be there? It was!
In fact it was a strong last 4 miles, again they hurt just a bit as I pressed, not really knowing what my elapsed time was. By now you all know I can't do math, even simple math past mile 2. so when i saw just over 66 minutes, I was pleased, pleased at the time, the effort and that it was over.
The title to this post is "Just over 4 years ago was the beginning" and that is what this is, just the beginning. I was a bit sad as this morning's run started, for the first time I was close, close to the goal, a goal that at times has seemed so far away, almost unattainable. Now, it is within reach, whether I qualify next weekend or next May, it almost doesn't matter, I have worked my way close, closer to the goal that ever before. I remember my mentor telling me once, "be prepared, prepared for success. You will reach your goal and you must have something next, something next to work towards" That is how I felt this morning, success is close, the peak of the mountain is in front of me. "Now What?" Luckily I could even just for a little while bask in the light of success, not a BQ (yet) but shedding 40 pounds, erasing every record from my youth(s) ( I think I am on my 3rd). I can see a minimum of 2 more years of racing. Enjoying a few more years of 1,000 plus miles of running for the year. Maybe even a few more medals, being at the top of the list. I used to think of 8 miles as a long run taking at least 80 minutes, now i can see being done with 8 miles in under an hour.
Today I also reach 900 miles for the 3rd year in a row.
My next post as a guest blogger on my running coach's , Marc Pelerin, Train with Marc blog. I can't imagine not having Marc guiding me through the last few years, the stupid mistakes, over training, over racing, no race strategy. I can only thank him for helping me to get this far.
"The real workout starts when you want to stop"
