Although I ran 13.1 miles at least 15 times in my life, I never take this distance for granted. I am grateful for each step I take toward a finish line.
A friend from CrossFit joined me for training runs as well as a few friends. I was grateful for the joyful company.
My goal for this race is to finish strong and to have fun. The strategy is to run intervals the entire time. I decided to fill my hydration pack so I don't have to stop a lot. I will have Gu with me and a lot of music to keep me occupied.
I know quite a few folks running this race. A handful of friends from church and the community. I'm sure I will make some new friends as well. I hope to encourage someone while I'm out there.
For the first time ever, I combined distance running with CrossFit. It took planning and perseverance but it worked out. The recovery plan is to focus on strength without losing too much of the endurance I built with distance running.
I usually don't celebrate the end of a race but with this one, I think I will. I prefer not to celebrate with food. do need a new food scale so I might buy one to celebrate. I used to have those 26.2 and 13.1 stickers. I might buy them to celebrate. Then I need to find a CrossFit one! We'll see.
The lessons I learned this season are the following:
• Schedule your runs ahead of time. I plugged my entire training mileage on my calendar. This way I was able to plan for holidays, travel, and bad weather days.
• Find running buddies if you need them. If you need someone's encouragement, even if for key training runs, put the word out so you can find running buddies.
• Plan for changing weather. I think this was one of my coldest training seasons yet. Planning for the weather was important because it allowed me to run comfortably (or not). My rule is I run when it rains but not when it's lightning. I do it because
• You are your biggest cheerleader. Every time I run a major race, I notice how many doubters are out there. I notice the support. The thing that both of these lovely groups cannot do is the work. I'm the only person who can do the work therefore I need to be my biggest cheerleader. Getting out of bed to run alone in below-freezing temperatures is very difficult. Being my own cheerleader helps. If I don't believe in myself, I'm not sure who would fully get out there to do these impressive physical feats.
• Encourage others along the way. I've been encouraged by so many people over the years. I want to do the same for others. I see encouraging as inserting courage in someone's heart. Convincing them they can do something they are not sure they can. While I'm not responsible for the results, I am in charge of the input.
I appreciate your prayers as I run on Saturday. I know God will be with me. Here is to running for fun and encouraging others along the way.
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