Last post I mentioned when running my mid-week ten miler I felt something but couldn't describe it. I came across this picture/quote and it described that feeling for me...
Habit.
There was nothing exciting about that run, or for many before it, I'm just simply running. I've been doing this for months now and have accomplished multiple new distances so these mid-week smaller runs are just habit. I still feel great after runs and am happy to get out there, wish it could be more, but it has lost that new and exciting feeling. This itself is sort of cool, to know I've come this far and had such a different view on running before.
With that being said: I ran the Chicago Half Marathon with Joel two weekends ago. His goal was sub 2 hours...and mine was to just finish. Since this was his first race I took a little responsibility in trying to pace him for 2 hours... I felt no pressure at all! We started off pretty slow, the beginning was congested, but ended up finishing 1 hour and 55 minutes later....with two bathroom stops along the way. This was our best time, so we were pretty happy!
This weekend was also full of running, shocker. Some friends from school and I ran the FireFly 5k Saturday night. This was my second 'fun run' and first night run, which was so weird! Watching a few hundred people running at night all while glowing would be more entertaining for me next year instead of actually participating. I'm not sure if I had my Sunday 20 mile race on my mind so I could not enjoy it as much, or just not a fan or running through trails in the dark...not knowing where you're stepping or whats in front of you. I took it nice and slow and finished in 32 minutes...and headed straight to the cupcake cart and ate a delicious Red Velvet cupcake!
I immediately went to bed once I got home, so nervous about the Newton Ready 20 Miler the next morning. CARA put on a great training run for runners training for a marathon. It was set up like an actual race but we were able to run with our pace leaders/groups, which was comforting!
Once we got started I felt great, the first 6-7 miles flew by. I went an hour without looking at the time and was surprised to see we were an hour in. . . only 2 more to go! Some where between mile 15-17 my legs started to get really heavy and feet were getting nice and sore. Once we got to mile 18 a few of us in the group had a mini cheer: "yayy" as we completed our furthest distance so far. Normally, I finish the furthest distance and am able to stop, but we still had 2 miles to go...what?! Then i started thinking for the actual marathon there is 8 more miles!!!!! While we were at this point a fellow runner said something about how we have to run such n such... and someone else replied, "No, we get to do this". Those words will definitely be in my thoughts while running those 26.2 miles. I really appreciated those words and I am grateful I am able to work towards this goal.
I had a glimpse of that "wall" runners talk about. I wanted a challenge and here it is- both physically and mentally- with 20 days left to prepare.
I want to thank everyone again who has donated to a cause that means so much to me. I have surpassed my fundraising goal that I didn't think was possible at first. The generosity has been inspiring and will keep moving me forward. Thank you!
