Sometimes You Blow-Up
Twlighter. It is a 5K in the dead of July, it’s a night run, it is flat, it is fast, and the field is deep with elite athletes. This is just a fun night out.
Twlighter start line on Saturday night
This year I had directions, I had splits, I had a clear goal and it was awesome. Jamey and I went together and he wanted to see what he could do and that was perfect. The key direction I had was: do not overheat, once you overheat you cannot come back, you are done. It was a crazy hot and humid night and the extra special race weather plan was put in effect, it was that kind of hot. Jamey went off, I went, I felt great. The first two miles were too fast, like a lot too fast and I kept telling myself to slow down, don’t overheat but I was going fast and I got greedy. I saw lots of friends out there running and we said hi and they ran on, it was ok, really ok, I was running too fast anyway. Let them run their race and I will run mine. There was a fire truck out on the course spraying the hose like a rainbow arch in the sky, so fun. There were cold sponges. I knew to take one. The volunteers said raise two hands to get water thrown at you. I did, twice. I passed mile two, I was killing it. Then I was keenly aware that what I had for dinner wanted out. Yup, once you overheat you are dead.
I talked dinner down, I looked at my pace, I stopped and tried to settle myself. I wore my Oiselle singlet and wearing that is the most open inviation to have friends I can think of on a race course. A fellow Volee member pulled over to ask if I was ok, I said I was, I wasn’t but the error was all my own. I sent her along and thought of Theresa who nailed it when it comes to walking in a painful race. She works with Girls on the Run and told me a hilarious story of running with some girls and their incessant complaining and desire to walk. She aptly pointed out to the girls, if you walk you are out here longer. I did not want to walk in, I did not want to puke either, but I could resume running and make it to the finish line and I knew it would be faster than walking. I smiled as I got to mile three when I was to give it all I got and I did and it was slow.
You cannot see the firetruck actually spraying but this is the coolest spot on the race course!
As I crossed the finish line I got cheers from my Volee teammates, from Jamey, from my work buddies. I was hurting but despite not meeting my race goals I am really proud of myself, I went for it in a race. It went badly but I tried and my legs and my fitness carried me for a bit until my thermostat hit red. That is not my typical MO and even though it did not pan out I learned a lot and I am excited to race again and see what I can do when I use my head.
It is still hot as the blazes and I went out the next morning for a 10 mile run a few short hours after running Twlighter. It was stiffling but I did it. Yes, I am tried and sore but there is so much more we can do then makes good sense. That is why we run right? To find those edges and push them. To find that pain point and push it. To open our minds and hearts to the possibility. Yes, I blew-up at a 5K but I am ok and kind of a bad ass.
