Marathon Plan - Regressive Countdown - Week Three
10/18/10 - 10/25/10 - Week Total: 19.1
10/18/10 - 10/25/10 - Week Total: 19.1
My race to cover my long run of the week was going to be tough. I had a 20-miler over my legs, and the weather conditions were bad: 50°F, 90% rain, and 18mph winds. Not to mention that I needed to drive 100 miles to get to the race.
Who gets up a Sunday morning, drives 100 miles through a torrential down-pour, runs under heavy rain with heavier cross winds, and drives 100 miles back home? I do. And when I did, I felt happier than ever.
The initial miles were uneventful though I was really tired. At mile 8 I got nauseous. At mile 10 I was absolutely done and didn't have anything left to cover the last 3.1 miles. Then the rain came with fury and the cold cross winds moved me constantly to the sides of the road. However, throughout those 3 miles I felt peace, they were miles worth of running. I was out there by country roads, with my two legs and my heart, physically worn-out but emotionally strong, challenged by nature and its elements but being able to beat them. Though slow, I was running with an internal power giving me the impulse.
When I finished 15 minutes slower than my PR I was drenched, cold, and exhausted... and I felt thankful. But not thankful for having finished; thankful for the legs and the heart; for the people around me; for the opportunity; For The Love Of Racing.
4 comments:
Amazing job!!! Congrats on beating that out. You will be ready for NYC no matter what the weather brings!
Wow! No doubt you gained a LOT of mental strength from doing that race. Congrats on gutting it out and getting it done!!
Sounds like you reached peace in your race just like me!
Congratulations on not letting this race win and finishing with strength! You are going to do fabulous in NYC!
Lizzie...you are awesome...I hope your body continues to let you put one foot in front of the other when your head says "I'm done:"...benny
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