So it has been a little over a week since my fifth half marathon....I ran the Cap City Half Marathon again in Columbus. This was the third time running this half, and sadly I cannot say that the third time was a charm....sigh.
Let me digress for a moment.....to a little over a week before my half. I was running my last long run before the half...hoping for a 9 miler. Needless to say I did only a little over 8...why?? Because somehow I tripped on the sidewalk on one of the busiest streets in town. (Epic fail there!!) Badly banged up my left knee and right hand. Couldn't run on it for several days. Talk about discouraging. Needless to say it really played on me not only physically, but most of all mentally. I was only able to get a couple runs in before the half, which were nothing to write home about.
Fast forward to the day of the race. Surprisingly my knee felt good, though I wore my knee brace just in case. My hubby and my awesome sissy were there to cheer me on. I was feeling pretty good through the race at first, but something just felt off...and by the time I got about halfway through I knew I was probably going to have trouble. By mile 10 I was really feeling tired and I could tell my pace was really slowing down a lot. I had always heard about this thing called "The Wall" and I think I have danced around it a few times, but never really hit it....I am pretty sure I hit it this time and I hit it hard. By mile 11 it was pretty hot and humid, which honestly I just wasn't used to running in the heat yet....I mean after running most of this winter in 20-30 degree weather and then running in 70-80 degree weather....it wasn't good for me. Sadly, during the last 2 miles I ran/walked and finished in 2:17:44. I was really hoping to beat my last year's time pf 2:14 but it wasn't happening. And I'll be honest, I was a little hard on myself about it....though when I really thought about it it was only 3 minutes off of last year and with running/walking the last 2 miles, it really wasn't so bad.
So this year I decided to dedicate my run to those dealing with Autism and donate $10 of every mile to the Autism Society of Ohio. I also spent my half praying for those that I knew that were dealing with autism and their families, including my amazing nephew and my sister. It was a very humbling run in many ways. After my half, while I was wallowing in having a not so great run and feeling sorry for myself, God spoke to me and said, "You think this run was a struggle, think of those who have to deal with autism every single day." Again, a very humbling experience. So I have a feeling God was trying to teach me a lesson here. ;)
So I'm walking away from this half marathon as a huge learning experience. Though it wasn't great, it wasn't my worst...and I got to spend the time I was running praying for some pretty awesome and very special people....and over all that beats any PR any old day..
So this past Saturday I debated on running in a local 5K and I told myself the night before that if God woke me up in time I would do it....of course God has a sense of humor and woke me up at 7:20 that morning. So I got on my running gear and headed to the local park where they were having the race. Even got to run with some of my church family. So nice!! The awesome part was that the proceeds helped a little 7 year old boy dealing with lymphoma. I love running for things like that, especially that is benefiting a child. The course was basically the same route I usually took on my long training runs...so it was something I was used to. I finished in 27:27 which was pretty good for me. Not my best, but pretty close. I even finished 3rd female overall, which totally shocked me....did not expect that at all!! Where were those legs during my half?!?! Again I think God was showing me a lesson.
So now this is my favorite time to run...where I have no running plan, no schedule, no set mileage to run...I can just go out and run just to RUN!! Love running like that. After many weeks of running a plan it is very liberating to just be able to run for running sake.
So I have nothing really on my schedule running wise (though I have my first baby graduating here in a couple weeks....so pretty busy right now.) I have a run the last Saturday of May, then nothing until the end of June when the hubby and I will be running the Indian Mud Run together having a little friendly competition. And then the Shawshank Run the end of July in Mansfield. Didn't want to commit to too much with this being my oldest last summer with us before he goes off to college. Sniff-sniff.
Well just wanted to give you guys an update. Not sure how often I'll be on here with all that's going on this summer but I will try to check in now and then. Have a great summer!!
