Filed under: Inspiration, races | Tags: endorphins, good day, half marathon, hills, Inspiration, marathon, nerves, races, running, slow
I love what happens after a race, after a hot shower and a good meal, how the body and the mind wilt into beautiful relaxation, for once in harmony with one another, basking in accomplishment. I’m back home from Hyannis, in scrubs and an old college sweatshirt, barefoot, lying back on my soft bed as I type this. I pushed myself today, and it paid off.
Everyone was expecting a windy, rainy day, but the weather was just fine, clear and cold and even a little sunny. The course was pleasant, filled with rolling hills and the salt smell of the ocean. I kept a steady ten-minute-mile pace through the whole race, which is slow for most but a pretty big deal for me.
As with Disney, I’ll list a few memorable things below:
- Nerves. Nerves like whoah. I was running with a bunch of people from work, all of whom are very fast. Though I love working at a running store, it has given me a slight speed complex. A sub-two-hour half marathon is peanuts to most of them, and I struggled to crank out a 2:10 (edit: coolrunning says 2:11.41 – rats) today. I’m proud of my race time, and they don’t judge me, but it did make me a bit self conscious at the race start.
- The view of the sea. I loved the salt air, swinging into my face as I rounded a curve. If I ever doubt God, the sea squelches that doubt. It is alive, frightening, beautiful, peaceful.
- The new runners. I stuck around in the cold (it was absolutely frigid, honestly – when you’ve finished a big race, your body temperature plummets like a stone) to see some of the other finishers. I saw two people grab each others’ hands as they crossed the finish line. There was an overweight man who, as he crossed the finish, had such a look of fierce, proud determination on his face that it gave me chills. Two girls did cartwheels as they finished.
- My friend Mandy, who woke up before 6 AM and rode in the car for 1.5 hours each way, just to cheer for me and her friend. Soon I need to devote an entry to how amazing my friends are.
Now begins the steady grind to May. The Flying Pig is nine weeks away. We kick up the miles and the intensity starting this week. I’ve got one more 5K before the marathon, but from now on, it’s go-time.
