Going the Distance

13.1 miles to be exact.

It was a first for Brian and second for me (although there should be a statute of limitations since it's been 12 years...). We decided to commit to a half marathon a few months back, since this was the year we have decided to get AND STAY healthy. And what better goal to work towards?

Race morning went off without a hitch, and, with three months of training behind me, I felt I couldn't have been more ready. And so, as we made our way across the start line on a beautiful, sunny San Diego morning we set off. Brian and I ran just a little ways together then parted. I felt strong...in control...and faster than usual. Up until mile 10, that is. That was when I hit THE WALL. I found myself stopping to walk and questioning why am I doing this? and thinking I just want this to be over. Immediately followed by telling myself no, I can do this, just keep going. Then I came upon a runner who was receiving CPR (and it didn't look good...). After saying a silent prayer, I decided at that moment that trying to make my goal time wasn't maybe all that important. And so I ran and walked the rest of the way, very conflicted between wanting to push myself harder and giving myself permission not to.


Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. An older gentleman, a complete stranger, waving and urging me to keep running, "come on" he said with a smile in between breaths. Maybe he knew something I didn't. So I forced my aching legs into a run...for about another 100 yards then stopped to walk again. As I saw him pass me I noticed that his gate was uneven...he ran abnormally...he had some kind of disability. That was the point at which I committed myself to running the rest of way (and that the finish line was also in sight) no matter how much I wanted to walk. And, believe me, I really wanted to walk.

And so I finished with a time of 2:11. Not quite as fast as I would have liked (I was averaging closer to 9 1/2 minute miles in training), but I finished with an average pace of 10 minute miles. And I learned a few things along the way. I realized that I had neglected the all important mental aspect of training for long distances. I needed to go into it with meaningful knowledge of why I was doing it so I had something to rely on to motivate and inspire me when I felt like giving up. And just "running fast" wasn't enough. I just didn't have a plan. And Brian learned the importance of racing like you train, since he was distracted by not running with his water.

So, now we know. We know what it's like. We know we can do it. And, yes, we are going to do it again next June. Only this time, I will be training physically AND mentally. And just maybe I'll be the one tapping someone else on the shoulder when it looks like they could use the gift of encouragement to go the distance.