Needless to say, we ended up running an altered course in brutal conditions. High winds, with gusts up to 50mph had downed power lines along the original route, and the winds were continuing as we arrived at the running store to pick up our packets. I've never dressed so heavily for a race (or even a regular run) in my life. Running tights and running pants. Fleece lined long-sleeve running shirt. Heavy fleece Nike running jacket. Fleece and wind-resistant Lands End vest (hadn't planned on wearing this in the race, but am glad I did). Ear warmers and gloves completed the oh-so-attractive ensemble. Kayla got a shot of the now familiar running crew huddled inside before the race.
What the race director neglected to mention, or maybe he did but I didn't hear, was that the revised race course was 4 1-mile loops. 4 HILLY 1-mile loops.
I started with Nikki and Michelle hoping to pace myself to a slowly building run, but instead went out way too hard for not knowing the course length or composition. But ego wouldn't let me stop. I'd forgotten to start my watch, so had no idea how fast I was running, but my HRM would later tell the story.
At about the halfway point of the third lap, the tendonitis started to flair up so I slowed a touch and hobbled, willing it to hold together for that last lap or so. And somehow it did. The last mile I just kept saying to myself "you're just running around the block. Run faster. It's just a jog around the block." As I stumbled across the finish line, I heard Stuart, Kayla and Erin calling my name. They surrounded me with congratulations, but I was too busy trying not to hurl to really enjoy the knowledge that I'd run about a :38min race. Totally awesome!
Erin and I got in line to turn in our timing chips and get our finishers sweatshirts, Kayla went back to the finish line to wait for Nikki and Michelle, and Stuart headed off to find hot chocolate for all of us. I glanced down at the heart rate stats on my watch, and learned that my average heart rate was 171bpm. Unreal. No wonder I was hurting.
But, what a great way to end the year and ring in a new one. Doing something healthy and sweaty together with friends. If you look in my drawers and my closet, I own more Coolmax than silk, more spandex than lace. Bodyglide and Heart rate monitor gunk share space on my sink with my makeup bag. But that's who I am. I might not be fast. I still lack in self-discipline. I still wonder if I have reached the limits of my potential, but I don't think so. I am an athlete. Most of the people I spend my time with are athletes. They are men and women I admire and respect. People I try to emulate. People I occasionally hope that I can inspire or encourage as well. And so to end 2008 running with my husband and a great group of women, and know that I'm starting 2009 with a bike ride with Stuart and some dear friends, I know it's indicative of my values and priorities. May all have a blessed and happy 2009 filled with those things and people that matter the most to you.
6yrs ago tonight, he promised to make methe happiest woman in the world if I would
marry him. So far, he's succeeded.
1 comment:
I don't know how you all do it up there in the cold. Oof. I barely made it five days!
You have NOT reached your limits BY FAR. I think there's an Ironman and perhaps an Ultra waiting in the wings for you Tamara...and you don't have to be FAST to finish those endurance events!
May 2009 bring you and Stuart continued love and success!
Post a Comment