why i'm happy with a 5:14

I ran a 5:14.20ish marathon last Saturday.  While it's not my best time, I'm pretty happy with it and here are three reasons why:

1. I trained poorly - Going into the marathon, I knew that I did not have any runs higher than a 17.5 under my belt.  As soon as I saw the mile 17 sign, I anticipated the race getting really tough for me.  And it did.  The second half was hillier than I anticipated and by then the temps had gotten up into the high 60's, low 70's.  The race was organized with the potential for this weather so they were prepared...it was me who wasn't.  

2. I was running for a cause - I ran this race as a St. Jude Hero, which meant that I was raising money for the kids/families that benefit from the St. Jude Medical Facility.  While I didn't raise a ton of money, the money that I did raise (above my race fee) was given to St. Jude.  Also, for raising over $100 I was given a special race singlet to wear that identified me as a Hero.  Spectators, patients, families - strangers! - cheered for me by name, looked me in the eye and thanked me for running for them.  Many of them go through tragedies day after day, I can get through a tough 26.2mi run.

3. I didn't give up - Oh, boy.  I wanted to.  I thought about it.  Especially from miles 18-23.  I wanted to find the nearest aid station and wait for the sag wagon.  My knees hurt, I was hungry, I was tired, my hips were sore, even my arms were tight.  But the thought of seeing a DNF by my name and having to come home and tell you all that I quit was terrible.  I resolved to walk/run the last 6miles and cross the finish line with out being a quitter.  I've never quit a race before and I wasn't going to start now. 

If you saw my last post, you know that I didn't quit.  I finished with a smile on my face (mostly because it was OVER!) and grabbed my medal and headed off in search of food.

It's hard to finish something when you have an overwhelming urge to give up.  But being able to push through, grit your teeth and gut it out is something to be proud of, in my opinion.  So while I'm not thrilled with my time, I'm happy that I stuck with it and finished marathon #4.  I'll have a more detailed race report soon - you know, in case you like that sort of detailed account type of thing.  :)

ready or not

Well, friends, this marathon is happening in just under three weeks - whether I'm ready or not!  And quite honestly, the truth is that I am not.  I have not felt this under-prepared for a marathon ever.  I never did get a full 20mi run in...  That is the biggest mental hurdle for me.  Physically, I do think I can do it - at turtle speed - but it's getting to the finish mentally that I'm most nervous about.  I psych myself out more often than not.

I did a final long run on Saturday - 17.5mi.  Which sounds like a LOT, right?  But consider the fact that there is another 9mi that I have to run.  And I was done after these.  I'm hoping that it's being so alone during these training runs that is getting to me.  The fact that there are tons of others running Memphis will certainly help, I'm sure of it.

I was incredibly spoiled training for Boston with some great friends.  The training for Memphis has been brutally lonely.  I've missed the camaraderie and support that comes with training with others on the hours-long training runs.  Perhaps I'll try to recruit some friends to run my next marathon with me...  Anyone?  Anyone?  :)

So now come the taper weeks.  The weeks of trying to stay healthy, trying to stay in the game mentally, trying not to psych myself out of finishing the full 26.2.  Ready or not, Memphis Marathon, I'm comin'!