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| Labor Day, 2012 |
Feeling lower than ever sometime in July, I began to
seriously question whether or not I had any business trying to run two
marathons in a year. It’s been such a mental battle. I still love running, but
I have truly developed some type of emotional block. I’m not sure where it
stems from, but I don’t like it. It’s just not “me.” (Will a real sports
psychologist please stand up?) Anyway, before I delve too deeply into the
feel-good, I have to tell you that I’ll be darned if this gets the best of me.
Interpretation? I am just crazy enough to run that silly little jog on Labor
Day. Truthfully, all credit for this decision should go to my husband, for
keeping me going when I couldn’t muster the nerve.
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| Old Friends |
Spouses tend know each
other better than anyone else on the planet. And so, when I announced my defeat
to the marathon, along with my revised plan to run the marathon RELAY, he didn’t say
anything. (This is good because I was still in love-struck stupor over my
newest brilliant plan, and I wouldn’t have listened to a word he said anyway.)
Later, when I wasn’t expecting it, he made his own announcement; “You’re going
to run that marathon,” he said. I was so startled I couldn’t help but laugh!
Next, he said something that I really couldn’t argue with: “If you chicken out,
you’ll be depressed, and I’m not going to let that happen.” He pegged me. I had no words. In fact,
I think I was so relieved to have someone other than me pushing me that I
probably smiled a little.
I have someone else to push me. I think this is the biggest
mistake that I made all summer. I was feeling self-conscious, and so I tried to
do everything by myself. Sure, I’m disciplined, but without friends, it’s hard
to find consistent motivation—especially when you’re burnt out. We all have bad
days, and your fellow runners can really make a difference. Also, if you lose
touch with your community of runners, it becomes all too easy to be
self-satisfied. For example, I was feeling pretty proud of myself for running
to work a couple of times (8 miles point-to-point) until I read about another
lady on Facebook. She was polishing off NINETEEN miles before work. Inspiring,
much??!!
All in all, it’s turning out to be a win-win situation. I
didn’t run the volume I had planned, and as a result, I won’t likely have the
incredible PB I was hoping to capture; however, I have captured some incredible
memories this summer, while learning some very important lessons. I guess some
of us just have to learn everything the hard way. There won’t be much “hay in
the barn” when I toe that line, but I’ll be there, I’ll be smiling, and I’ll
finish. Sounds like a decent plan after all! ;)
**P.S.This is my second year running, and I have to recommend the event! Not only is it well-organized, fun, and affordable, but it also benefits some great organizations within the outdoor/active community!
