A New Start for a New Year

As I was sitting here debating how to make my re-entry into the running world sound interesting, I realized that it is not. It is wonderful that I am running again, but blogging about running 2 miles 3 times per week at a slow pace is not fun for me to type nor for you to read. When I started this blog I thought that writing about running would be fun and interesting, why now does it seem so dull and lifeless? I think I have the answer, 2010 and the first few months of 2011 were incredible. While I have been a runner my entire life (since the President’s physical fitness test in 1^st grade, my Dad bribed me with a candy bar if I beat the boys, only 1 got away :) ), running became my passion just a few years ago.

In 2009 I ran the Boston Marathon in 3:15, after having run a 3:34 the previous October to qualify. I realized that while I had trained for Boston, I never really put my heart and soul behind it, and I became curious as to what I could do. That summer I met my running buddy, Tyler Wallace, and things really took off. The best part about Tyler, is that when you run with her it’s not about the time, it is about enjoying the run and feeling good, and she happens to be super speedy. We had no training plan, no goal mileage each week, but as I kept track in my log each morning I noticed that we were slowly building up a larger base than I had ever accumulated before; and it felt easy! Soon we were running 5-6 times per week and logging 10-15 mile long runs each weekend, it was awesome. During the spring of 2010 we signed up for a Half Marathon in Charlotte with the goal of running to feel “good.” During the first half of the race I watched the splits on my watch in disbelief, we were flying! The second half was a bit tougher, but I was motivated, some guy I passed told me I was the 4^th female and I wanted to catch another girl! I never did, but I finished the race in under 1:30, and realized that I was fast. That sounds cocky to say, and it is how I started to feel, though I didn’t realize it yet. Just three weeks later I signed up for another Half in Raleigh to see if I could go any quicker; and I did. This time I went out with a goal in mind, 6:40 per mile and to place in the top 5 women overall. I ran an almost perfect race with average mile splits of 6:36 for a time of 1:26:30, and I placed 3^rd overall for women earning my first ever cash prize! That is when I set my big goal, which for the record I have yet to chase down … break 3 hours in the marathon.

I think that is when I transitioned from a passionate runner, to an obsessed borderline cocky runner. Everything revolved around me and my running. I was still having fun, but I lost the passion in my quest for glory. I even decided that I should win the Charlotte Marathon while breaking 3 hours. I knew that sounded cocky, so I did not tell that to too many people, but it was so obvious I felt that way. Everything looked perfect for my race. I had run my “warm up” marathon 6 weeks beforehand with ease setting a new PR at 3:08, my Mom was in town to cheer me on at our pre-determined locations, Jason was set to ride his bike all over the course, and I was mentally preparing for a win and a new time beginning with the number 2. The gun went off … and disaster struck shortly thereafter. That race was a total bonk, and one of the most difficult 3 hours and 17 minutes of my life. I knew from mile 11 that my dreams were shattered, and I still had 16 miles to go. I refused to quit (I am actually quite proud of that) but it was so far from what I had longed for I was devastated. The next day I was signed up for revenge against racing (and myself), the Myrtle Beach Marathon in just 9 weeks.

Myrtle Beach was a success of sorts. I stayed on pace for 20 miles this time, then hit the wall and finished with a time of 3:04, a 4 minute PR. That is when I should have stopped, but my hunger for success was insatiable. I just signed up for more races! During 2011 my original plan was to run 3 (possibly 4) marathons, several half marathons, and random trail races. I also decided that I would complete a Half Ironman so that in 2012 I could do a Full Ironman. I was in all out goal setting overdrive!

It was in that mind set that I decided to write the blog, so of course it would be fun and entertaining; look at all I was going to do! Well, I am sorry to disappoint, but we all know how last year went, and this year is starting slow as well. However, I can say with sincerity that I am so glad that the events of the last 3 years took place exactly as they did. I clearly take a long time to learn lessons, and God gave me just that, and full year to think about where I went wrong and how to fix it. Tyler and I are meeting tomorrow morning to run, and I have no idea for how long and at what pace. Also, I am signed up for a 10 mile fun jog with Jason, his sister, and our brother-in law in Austin, TX. Otherwise I have nothing on the calendar and most likely won’t until the fall. My goal for the first half of 2012 is to work with Tyler on building up a solid base, and to have fun. It is such a blessing that my passion is for a sport full of so many lessons; I hope to never take it for granted again. It is with this mindset that I begin 2012, a year for giving thanks, and expecting great things in more ways than just winning races.