Sidenote: if you have a minute you should head over to 13.1 Miles to Disney's blog and read her race recap. I may or may not make a guest appearance in her post.
Well, the race came and went and I didn't do it. Not really too close to it either. I finished in 31+ minutes. Not a PR and didn't reach my goal. But I did finish and that is always my first and foremost priority.
Strike that.
Actually, my first and foremost priority of any race is to have fun. I try to take in the scenery, relax and enjoy the experience...which is some times easier said than done.
Saturday was rough. When my alarm went off I debated on turning it off, going back to sleep, and skipping it. That has never happened before for me but I woke up exhausted, dehydrated and just physically worn out. I wasn't too hopeful I would even be able to run a 5K.
But I got up, started rehydrating and psyching myself up. I put on some music. Got dressed. Realized my running shoes were down in my car which was on base (which is not really close to where we live) left there the night before. So, I wore my old shoes, which was no big deal, but of course threw me for a loop for a minute.
Once I was lined up at the start I began to get a bit nervous. It was hot, sunny (I was literally running to any patches of shade I could find) and humid. It was probably my first time running in such crappy conditions since moving from San Antonio. It was not really enjoyable. I was just so exhausted and so thirsty and I knew it would be a struggle from start to finish.
And it was.
It was definitely the hardest 3.1 miles I have ever run. And no, I did not finish in under 30 minutes. But I ran it, for the most part, and I finished in a pretty good time for me. I'm not disappointed in my performance because on Saturday morning, 31 minutes was the best I could do.
And I still have over 6 months to try to cross the sub-30 5K goal off my list.
It will happen.
I am getting faster. And stronger. And I know I will do it.
And yes, it sucks writing this - trying to not feel like a failure but you know what? I KNOW I am not a failure. Not showing up, quitting because conditions were less than ideal- that would make me a failure.
No, I think if anything else I am stronger because of this experience and I walk away from it knowing I can do so much more than I ever thought I was capable of.
'In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.' ~ Albert Schweitzer
I promise I won't overlook the flowers...
Before,sporting my favorite race shirt :)
At the finish, being chased by Marines running in formation and calling cadence. Scary!
Nothing like a group of Marines on your tail to get you moving! ;) It may not have been your best 5K but you did it, so yay! Thanks for continuing to be awesome and inspiring me to do the same. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't even see those guys until after i passed the 2nd mile marker. And even then they were way back. And as I slowed they got closer, and closer, and closer. I just wanted to finish before them. I barely made it. Then after the finish line they practically ran me over. It was awesome :/
DeleteThank you for being a great friend and always supporting me :)
It's funny how hard on ourselves we can get when we don't reach a goal we wanted for a race, isn't it? I've been down on myself for not running as fast recently, but you know what? I'm DOING IT. That's all that counts, really. And, especially since the conditions were not ideal and you felt dehydrated when waking up, and you still went and ran and finished in 31 minutes, you did great! I think a real testament to willpower is powering through the bad runs.
ReplyDeleteYou will get that sub 30 minute 5k!
I'M DOING IT!!!! I love it! Next race that will be the only thought in my head. Thanks Aubrey!
Delete"Not really enjoyable" is a great way to describe Saturday's weather. It was a hard 3.1 miles! You did awesome and I know you're going to get your sub-30 5K very soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jodi! For the conditions, I think we both did a great job. Do you have any other 5Ks coming up? I'm thinking that because of the weather I will probably just wait until fall to try again.
DeleteI think sometimes we put so much emphasis on PR/Racing that we forget to have fun. I know I have in the past and then I hate myself because then I feel like I ruined/wasted this great opportunity. I think you have a much healthier attitude to have fun, to enjoy the flowers and to get the hell through the finish when the marines are chasing you! Good Job, D!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen! Yeah, those Marines were unrelenting. It was a bit unnerving. Lol!
DeleteIt's a delicate balance for me; wanting to push myself towards accomplishing new goals and yet still trying to enjoy the moments for what they actually are- 30 mins (or however long) of freedom, release, exhiliartion ,and enjoyment.
Thanks for always being part of my cheering section :)