I decided to celebrate my freedom by running the Freedom Run 10k.
Not exactly my favorite kind of race
but definitely one to make me feel alive and happy.
For this girl
endorphins = happiness.
I know. I know. It's not everlasting happiness.
But I will take it.
The more happiness, the better.
Right?
My motto for this race:
"A lot of people race to see who is fastest. `
I race to see who has the most guts."
-Steve Prefontaine
It's time for me to show some guts in racing and training.
Time to get out of the grey zone and push myself hard.
Time to really hurt and put it all on the line.
I wanted to run sub 40 minutes.
That is a 6:25 pace.
That is fast for me.
The plan was to start out fast and try to hold it.
If I was going to die at the end, so be it.
Fortunately, I had some great company for the Sufferfest.
It went something like this:
I convinced Jen.
Jen convinced Carlee.
Carlee convinced Heather.
Here we are ready to race
We also have matching shoes!
Zoot, we love you!
I was especially grateful to be able to run next to Jen
for more than half of the race.
I love to train and race with that girl!
Well,
I went out hard but not hard enough.
I was trying to show some guts
but I failed.
Why is it so extremely difficult for me to get out of my comfort zone?
I was definitely going at a decent pace and having fun.
But, once again, I was too scared (or comfortable) to shift into that higher gear.
The end result:
40:22
7th of 607 women
37th of 1233 starters
"Only" 3:31 behind my hero, Kassi Andersen!
I am actually happy with my time.
Considering that there was quite a bit of uphill, especially at the end.
But I did not give it my best shot.
I was being conservative, as usual.
My vision:
Going all out,
leaving everything I have out there on the course,
crossing the finish line,
collapsing.
The reality:
Going almost all out,
holding back just in case,
crossing the finish line,
thinking:
"Oh, well, that was nice. Can we do it again?
This time I'll push harder, I promise!"
Since there was no repeat of the run,
I went on a nice bike ride instead,
planning my next 10k race....
Do any of you have these same issues in training and/or racing?
I am really curious...
PS: I forgot to mention that Travis Snyder did me (and James Lawrence and everyone around us) a huge favor by driving his ATV next to us, so that the Freedom Festival Camera Dude could be right in our faces for about a mile. Thanks! Now we kinda know what it feels like to be some famous pro!
Comments