Ah, no.
No matter how many times someone runs a marathon, 26.2 miles is STILL a long way to run and it's STILL a big deal. There will always be that small voice in your head that questions,
"Will I finish?"
"Will I hit the wall and not be able to push through it?"
"Will my legs cramp up?"
"Will my stomach hate me on race morning?"
"What if my alarm doesn't go off?"
"What if I eat the wrong thing the night before?"
"Will I slip and fall on all the trampled water cups?"
"What's the air speed velocity of an unladened swallow?"
"What if I miss a spot with the Body Glide?"
"What if I miss my flight?"
"What if there isn't a Johnny on the Spot there when I REALLY need it?"
"Will I be able to do this without Skip and The Mighty Kate?"
Well, that last one isn't going through everyone's mind...just mine. I have an amazing group of friends who have been a great support.
They've given words of encouragement, made TEAM BETSY t-shirts, acted as roaming
photographers, cheerleaders, chauffeurs, running buddies, and human crutches. Katie even made me an amazing scrapbook about my first journey to 26.2 and has accompanied me to almost every pre-race packet pickup/expo. I kind of feel like an Oscar winner when I say that there are too many people to thank for helping and encouraging me to be the runner that I am today. For this particular race, I am feeling especially nervous about the absence of two of my Team Betsy fans-Skip and The Mighty Kate . They have been to almost EVERY major race I've run. They've been my support crew for both of my
previous marathons and one of my half marathons. Skip ran the first 8 miles, and the last 3 miles of my first marathon with me. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there for those last few miles...I nearly cried when I saw him jump on the race course. They have graciously risen at the crack of dawn each race morning and chauffeured me to the start, all the while providing endless smiles, cheers, and hugs of encouragement (and Kate HATES to hug).
Logic tells me: I KNOW I can do this.
I have put the training in for Sunday's race...I've covered 18 weeks and approximately 570 miles...so what's another 26.2?
My heart tells me: I wish I could pack Skip and Kate in my suitcase.
I don't know if I can do this without them...
9 comments:
Oh, you'll do fine! You've done this before, so it's no big deal for you now!
Alright, punk...for that I say to you and your upcoming ultra: Oh, you'll do fine! You've done 50 miles before, so 100 miles will be a walk in the park! : )
Thanks for the encouragement.
All is well.
Good luck.
How long is a marathon? I hate driving that far? Isn't running that far bad for you? 5 miles from the finish: "you are almost there...keep it up". Other things I hear from well meaning people.
Maybe you have heard them too.
You're going to do great!
Good luck!
This is by far my favorite post!! You're on your way to AZ right now... did you get Skip & Kate in your suitcase?! I bet Kate would be easier to pack than Skip although I'm not sure about the regulations on checking a baby into baggage claim.
ps... I'm sad I'm missing the cowboy walk! how's that for encouragement!!
Aw Bets!! I wish I could be there too! I promise to come to your next marathon and cheer you on for realzzz! Love you Bets!!
Good luck! I'm sure you did well - can't wait to hear all about it :)
"Will I finish?"
Always!!!
"Will I hit the wall and not be able to push through it?"
Who cares. See previous question.
"Will my legs cramp up?"
Yes. But just remember all the work you did to get to the starting line. You'll push through!
"Will my stomach hate me on race morning?"
Probably.
"What if my alarm doesn't go off?"
Doesn't matter. You won't sleep anyway.
"What if I eat the wrong thing the night before?"
Every marathon is a learning experience. Do something different the next time.
"Will I slip and fall on all the trampled water cups?"
Hopefully nobody will see you if it happens.
"What's the air speed velocity of an unladened swallow?"
African or European?
"What if I miss a spot with the Body Glide?"
You mean, "what spots did I miss with body glide". Don't worry, you'll find out.
"What if I miss my flight?"
Ummm. you're on your own here.
"What if there isn't a Johnny on the Spot there when I REALLY need it?"
Another reason why it's great to be a guy!
"Will I be able to do this without Skip and The Mighty Kate?"
They've never been there for me!
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