Wow. Self doubt rocks.Yesterday Skyhammer wanted to know how I felt before the race and I got all overwrought and maintained that marathons are hard and they don't exactly get that much easier and was rather negative about the whole thing.
Wrong.
Why do we focus on the things that might go wrong instead of the things that might go right?
Why do we project failure?
Why do we cut ourselves down instead of building ourselves up?
On the first marathon I ran I qualified for Boston with 3:39:01. To date that it is my fastest marathon (even though I facked up my knee and walked part of it). I should be really proud of that. It hurt like a son of a bitch, even without the injury.
The Vancouver Marathon that followed? Mmmm... not so much. Four minutes slower. Came close to puking in Kits. Was dejected when I crossed the finish line because I knew I hadn't re- qualified. Who cares? I ran a marathon! I was still learning. I over hydrated during the race and was coming off an injury. You get a mulligan, kiddo.
Victoria. Let's see. Training was interrupted when, um, my life was hugely interrupted. Decided to pull out. Missed a lot of long runs. Decided to run it for my dad. I remember starting to cry as I pulled up one of the last hills before the finish, thinking of him. Re-qualified and was only 20 seconds behind my PB. Felt fantastic afterwards.
Here and now. I did the long runs. I did the speed work. I did the hills. I have, several times, been the fastest girl during the tempo and the mile repeats. I ended my longest run of the clinic (21 miles) running 7 minute miles (my race pace is 8:20) and feeling good enough to be able to make it through another 5 miles. I ended tonight's mile repeats with some of the fastest people in the clinic. I am not injured. I have learned about over-hydration. I have Body Glide. I have good shoes. I have done this three times before. I never sleep before a race and yet somehow I find the energy to get through it.
And it doesn't matter what my time is: I made the cut. No one can predict what will happen on race day. I will simply be happy to be there. I didn't get there by accident. I have done everything correctly. I have performed well.
I will do my best, and my best will do.
6 comments:
Awwwwww. You'll be fine, even if it takes you 3 days.
You're a nutter for running.
I just don't get it.
He he he he he he.
Sometimes I do a quick skip/run on the beach and pretend I am you. I get about half a song of running in and then say, fuck it.
Hehehehhehehe.
I think you have great legs and must be very fit.
It must feel fab to feel so healthy and be so healthy.
p.s I feel healthy and fit but your level of fitness must be amayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy zing.
I think you'll be better than fine... I'm hoping to see you in the news coverages... so when you see someone with a TV camera, run over to them and get in the shot.
That's more like it :)
Enjoy it, as much as you can, and then come back and drink wine.
Skyhammer.
You are my hero! Been thinking about you all weekend. Can't tell you how many times I have said "My friends are running the Boston". It's impressive. You are a huge inspiration to me. I would likely never be running if it was not for you. Can't wait to hear about the experience.
Hah! Best time ever!!!!!3:30:52 crushing her previous PB by 5 minutes!! please share my joy over your achievement withe your other blog addicts - xoxo coco
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