"In the achievement of greater performances, of beating formidable rivals, the athlete defeats fear and conquers himself."I'm disappointed. I didn't make a PR on Sunday. I was about 2 minutes off. I'm really disappointed in myself. Now, I can come up with the following "excuses:"
- Since March 2007, I've competed in 3 half marathons and two full marathons...I'm just plain tired.
- I've been injured...tendonitis in my ankle, bone spur on my heel, morton's neuroma in my foot, and a calf muscle that is so tight, that a specialist wants to cut me open and slice through the connective tissue to lengthen it.....I was in pain.
- It was a very hilly course....That slowed me down.
All of those "excuses" are a bunch of malarkey. Here's the REAL reason I didn't make a PR: good ol' fashioned fear. I have done interval training and speed drills....I know what to do. I held back. I was afraid of tanking at the end and crawling across the finish line. I thought I was "pacing" myself. I KNOW I could have ran at a faster pace the whole race. I actually sprinted the last 2 miles of the race and had energy to spare. Stupid, stupid, stupid fear. I thought the sprint saved me at the end and would put me over the top, but it didn't.
Like Mr. Stampfl says.... I need to defeat fear and conquer myself...I was my own worst speed enemy on Sunday.
Now, on a happier note, I had an AMAZING time at the race. Twelve of my friends, in three teams of four, ran the marathon relay....many of them weren't runners months ago. I've never been a spectator at a race. I LOVED IT!!! You definitely see some amazing acts of humanity on the race course, but to be able to watch from the sidelines, you get to see so much more! While I waited for my friends to finish, I watched parents cross the finish line with their kids holding their hands. I saw two team members of one relay team run across the line, one on the other's shoulders. I saw relay teams run, hand-in-hand, across the line and end in a big group hug. I heard the announcer read names of people in their 70s as they crossed the finish line (they are my heroes). I watched as people ran across that line, arms spread wide, faces up, tears streaming down their faces (and mine).
6 comments:
Um... don't think I don't read the miles you are running this week. And, don't think I won't scold you!!!
On a happier note, my grandpa's brother's son's wife might run the half with me in September. Hopefully she does cause I can't beat your personal record. And, kicking my fear's ass would mean actually crossing the finish line before they close the course.
I know what you mean. I'm the SAME way. I get very paranoid of not having anything left and then when I final get towards the end and realize "Ok I'm good, I won't die at the end" it's too late and I have this extra energy to spare. We'll do it together chica! ;-)
I'm glad you had fun though ;D ;D Sounds like a great time ;D
Live, learn...run. There's always other races. Hopefully, you had a great time anyhow. Life would be boring if we just went around setting PR's constantly (I'm guessing).
yeah, kick its ass!!
I really respect that you're owning up to your fear and are ready to take it down.
Kate...I just had to add to your comment... "Yeah, kick it's ass SEA BASS!!!!"
Hi, I'm 12.
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