I haven't written at all about running and/or even talked with it much at all with my friends. I continue think that most people could care less about my early morning runs. But I do very much. The few people that hear about my runs are super important to me and I value their support and help tons! I have been running 5 days a week consistently since coming back from my stress fracture which means 4 months. I finally within the past month feel like I am back in good running shape. It has been a journey emotionally and physically for me. Within the past 6 weeks I have started running really fun speed workouts each Wednesday and I know they helped me today. Each of those workouts was challenging to me in a new way and pushed me to run fast when tired. All the work pays off eventually and today was the day for me!
I have spent a good bit of time in the last month working on my mental toughness about much as my running. I hate to fail. I am not a big risk taker at all. Those two things don't mix well when I have big goals I want to accomplish. I may now be 40, but I know that I have some great for me running left in me! So to achieve big goals I have to be brave. Therein lies the need to be mentally stronger! So, I spent some time searching out quotes that motivated me and spoke to me. Things I could remember when I was running. I also spent time reading about people who inspire me. It all kept me in the game today.
All week I was worried about the weather. It was supposed to rain this morning and that meant humid as well. I decided mid-week I couldn't care less about the weather. I can't control it at all. I could only control my attitude about it. It was not going to bother me. Even with that positive I don't give a crap attitude I was super happy that the rain blew through yesterday and it was just cloudy and humid this morning. Way better!
The race started on time at 7:15. It was an out and back course with a little loop in the middle. It was flat, well marked, and well supported with drink stations. Everything about this race was well organized. It was also small which I like. Crowds at races are not my thing so 795 people is good with me.
The first three miles were pretty fast for me (8:09, 8:09, 8:15), but I felt like crap. My left shin hurt so badly and I thought repeatedly about wanting to cut off my leg, but realized that wouldn't be good for my running. It has been a little off this past week, but I was hoping it would be good today. Finally by mile 4 (8:09) everything felt good and I was so thankful.
Mile 5 felt like a disaster and it was. I knew I was off pace, but didn't see my watch in time to know my split (8:25). That mile still haunts me, but oh well now. I knew by mile 7 that I was going to PR today. I was thinking I could squeak in under 1:48 if I kept up my effort. There was not one single second of doubt that I would finish strong today. I just knew it was going to happen and that carried me through those last two miles. Miles 6-10 were pretty consistent (8:13, 8:15, 8:08, 8:15, 8:05).
The 8:15 mile annoyed me to no end and I worked hard to keep out of the teens. Right after mile 10 I heard a timer call out 1:49 finish time. I almost had a heart attack. I was shocked I was so slow and that my running math was so bad. I decided she had to be wrong. I don't know what she was talking about because at that point I was thinking a 1:47.30 was really possible for me. I am so thankful I didn't let that discourage me. Mile 11 felt pretty good (8:08).
The last two miles were the hardest as they always are. I figured I had nothing to lose and just pushed hard. I had been running back and forth with the same guy all race long and I really wanted to pass him for good. Around 11.5 I did, but could hear him behind me the rest of the way. He was a good motivator to keep pushing all the way to the finish. He did not pass me again. Mile 12 was 8:06 and mile 13 was 7:57. I ran the last tenth at a 7:08 pace. The last two miles being two of my fastest make me beyond happy! My official time was 1:47.09. I was 4/72 in my AG so not too bad.
I finished and started crying. I cried for those 9 seconds I lost in mile 5. I hate that so much. Just hate it. I also cried because I had no one to share in my moment. I ran a 1 minute 51 second PR and it was just me, myself, and I. Then I got over myself and decided to get some green beer to celebrate that huge PR!
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| It wasn't good beer or a good pour, but it still tasted good enough |
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| Pretty cool statue at the Sugar Land Town Square |
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| Cheers to me! |
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