It's not that running has become a huge part of my life these last years, and I'm eternally grateful for it. Some of my greatest friends and best memories involve running.
But, I need a break.
I finished my seventh marathon in three years in Madrid a few days ago and it was wonderful and great but I've promised myself no fall marathon this year. Which, was not entirely self imposed as I was sick the day Marine Corps opened and slept right through registration but took that as a sign. Honestly, I have no desire to run through the Texas heat, I am sick of feeling guilty for missing a run, missing opportunities with friends and really, being tired and sore all the damn time.
So, I'll spend some time getting back to why I run, working on my speed and hopefully continuing my mid week runs with TPG. Because really, who wouldn't want a hour of calorie burning girl chat with one of their very best friends? My point exactly.
Madrid was an experience to say the least. I'm a bit ashamed of my time, but not surprised. I'm not going to make excuses, I'm just going to say I was undertrained and not prepared, and that's the truth. It showed but I'm okay with it.
I went out, ran my race, ran a solid first half where I felt good and was on track to smash my goal time.
Then, after a mile 18 puke and rally and seeing my sister at mile 20, it kind of all fell apart. It was steep uphill after uphill and try as I might, my legs would not go. I was depressed to see my miles slow way down, but, I was insanely proud at the same time. I was running totally alone, unable to ask for Tums or Aleeve from the volunteers as I can't speak Spanish. There was no one to make bad jokes with and surprisingly I never got my standard mile 23 Sailor Mouth. Tear filled about the uphills and my time, but overjoyed that I was even here considering I had major abdominal surgery just a few months ago. My body remembered how to run a marathon and did it.
Christy caught me in the final lap and ran me in. I've never been so happy to see her in my life. We crossed together and hugged and I lost it. I was so happy to be there with her and to finish the race when I really wasn't sure that I could. Really, ask her about how I was nearly in tears about it the night before. HOT MESS.
It's a great point to take a break from 26.2 at least for a season.
Fall 2012, no. Spring 2013, yes!
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6 comments:
You deserve a good long break! Congrats on finishing your 7th marathon - such a HUGE accomplishment!
Paragraph 4 made me tear up a little. Then paragraph 7 made me LOSE IT. Sugar, you have had one helluva difficult year. All of that garbage was poured out on the course in Madrid. And baby, leave it there. You are SO MUCH MORE than all crap you've had to walk through. And like Madrid, you held you head up high, sniffed, wiped your years, and kept moving forward. Because you are strong.
A break is just what you need. Take it! Consider this year a time of rebirth, starting fresh, new opportunities, new chapters. And I promise, I know, you'll reach that finish line of WHATEVER your next challenge happens to be with grace and dignity, cause that's just the type of girl you are!
Proverbs 31:25
*MWAH*
I'm so proud of you! I can't even run a 5K, let alone a marathon... so I'm very impressed! :) Enjoy your break!!!
Just wanted to tell you you are amazing :) SO proud of you and everything you have accomplished!
What you've done already is amazing -you should enjoy a well-deserved break! :)
You have done an incredible job running, woman! now enjoy your break! :)
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