If you are a nerd, like I am a nerd, you might enjoy some different running gadgets. My favorite is the Garmin Forerunner. Sadly, I've had 3 different models of this cool running device. As a Christmas gift one year, I received my first Forerunner - the 201. This one uses GPS Satellites to track your miles, and then it calculates your pace.
Then, after a couple of months wearing this device and a separate heart rate monitor watch, I upgraded to the Forerunner 301 which has heart rate tracking. Now I was totally hooked! Not only will this cool device tell me exactly how far I've run and what my average pace is, it will also watch my heart rate for me. Now I can see how much my heart hates me when I run too fast (which is sadly not as fast as I'd like to run!).
Eventually, after wearing my 301 constantly, the heart rate monitoring broke. This, of course, happened right when I began learning more about training by using my heart rate. I had been getting very burned out on running, and then met someone who gave me amazing advice that was going to help me get out of my rut. But, darn it, I needed heart rate monitoring! So, since I couldn't fix my Garmin 301 fast enough - I bought the next model up...the 305! It is wonderful and works even better than the 301. Except, now they have ANOTHER new model, the 405 - and its even cooler than the 305!!!!
The only downfall is that the Garmin software that you upload your data to, for tracking your heart rate, is not up to par with Polar's! And, Polar's devices are not up to par with Garmin's when it comes to GPS capability! Such dilemma's. So, just decide what your priority is. If you don't care about your heart rate and just want to know how far you've run and what your pace is....get the older version of the Forerunner (maybe the 201) online cheap!
If you are a sick nerd like me and need it all....go for the Garmin 305 or the 405, or if you want GPS but care more about the heart rate tracking, then check out Polar's GPS/Heart Rate watch!
You could go broke buying gadets! But, man its fun!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Successful 10K Season Kick-Off
I woke up this morning a bit panicked because today was 10K Season Kick-off and it was RAINING! What is up with that? Not only do experienced runners not like to run in the rain most of the time, but beginning runners REALLY don't like to run in the rain! I was worried that nobody would show up!
Everyone that said they would be there was there - rain or shine! We had 23 runners show up! Yes, all of you new beginners are now considered runners in my book because you came regardless of the weather! What a group of people! I am impressed and I've only just met them.
If the averages from last year hold true, we could end up with a season that doubles and possibly triples the membership of last season. That tells me that my own feelings of wishing there was a good training group in this area were not just with me. There really is a huge need for this group.
The training programs downtown have memberships in the "hundreds". When I first began this program in 2007 I didn't really expect that we could hit the "hundreds" level within the first 5 years, if ever. But, with the turnout this morning and the expected turnout next week - it just might be possible that the need for a training group in Northern Gwinnett and beyond is even larger than I ever thought!
What a really cool thing to be a part of bringing all this together - to bring all of these people together. Everyone is going to start this program with their own ideas, expectations and goals, but I know that as we move through the season they will each likely start to cheer on their teammates and start caring about motivating each other to reach goals, instead of just focusing on themselves. That is the beauty of a running program - it starts off being just about "me" and ends up being about "us"....not only do the individuals get a chance to reach their own goals but they have the support of the whole team helping them, so the whole team reaches their goals with the help of others.
I am excited for this season because not only are we growing this group and getting the word out to people who have been wishing and waiting for a group, but we have some really amazing people signed up - they are excited, energetic and highly motivated...not to mention they are DEDICATED. Showing up in the rain! That is cool! This is going to be a GREAT season!
Welcome to all of the brand new USA Fit Atlanta members, and Welcome Back to all the previous members!
Happy Running everyone!!!
Everyone that said they would be there was there - rain or shine! We had 23 runners show up! Yes, all of you new beginners are now considered runners in my book because you came regardless of the weather! What a group of people! I am impressed and I've only just met them.
If the averages from last year hold true, we could end up with a season that doubles and possibly triples the membership of last season. That tells me that my own feelings of wishing there was a good training group in this area were not just with me. There really is a huge need for this group.
The training programs downtown have memberships in the "hundreds". When I first began this program in 2007 I didn't really expect that we could hit the "hundreds" level within the first 5 years, if ever. But, with the turnout this morning and the expected turnout next week - it just might be possible that the need for a training group in Northern Gwinnett and beyond is even larger than I ever thought!
What a really cool thing to be a part of bringing all this together - to bring all of these people together. Everyone is going to start this program with their own ideas, expectations and goals, but I know that as we move through the season they will each likely start to cheer on their teammates and start caring about motivating each other to reach goals, instead of just focusing on themselves. That is the beauty of a running program - it starts off being just about "me" and ends up being about "us"....not only do the individuals get a chance to reach their own goals but they have the support of the whole team helping them, so the whole team reaches their goals with the help of others.
I am excited for this season because not only are we growing this group and getting the word out to people who have been wishing and waiting for a group, but we have some really amazing people signed up - they are excited, energetic and highly motivated...not to mention they are DEDICATED. Showing up in the rain! That is cool! This is going to be a GREAT season!
Welcome to all of the brand new USA Fit Atlanta members, and Welcome Back to all the previous members!
Happy Running everyone!!!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Learning to Slow Down
I spent the last year recovering - after a year or more of training hard and pushing myself too much. I ended up getting injured and having to start over, all the way back to just being able to get out and walk for a mile. Frustration from that made me push too hard because I was angry that I had to basically start all over. Pushing too hard is not a good idea - all it does is add to your current misery.
I recently met a guy whose business is training athletes using their heart rate. Although I am only in the beginning stages of learning how to pay attention and figure out what to do based on mine, it has made all the difference with my running! For the first time in a year I got out and ran four days in a row - and WANTED to! That was the incredible part - I actually wanted to get out. I didn't need to, didn't have to, it wasn't in my training plan....I just felt like it. I had even upped my heart rate ranges for the last two days.
Taking care of, and listening to your body, can be so very hard to do. But, the rewards of it are well worth it. I had a feeling that four days might be too much, but I was feeling so good and I wanted to get my dog out and let her burn some energy. So, I went anyway. I should have listened. Because, for the first time in weeks, I was tired after my run and needed a nap and then this morning I woke up feeling drained. Four days was too much and my body needed to rest. So, I rested today and will hope to get some good sleep, and then in the morning I'll try getting out to run again and lower my heart rate ranges back to where they were when I was feeling so great.
I haven't liked this sluggish feeling today. It is too similar to how I'd felt the last year, before I started paying attention to my heart rate. I like the energetic, happy feeling I've had since I slowed down and stopped pushing myself constantly. Sometimes it can be embarrasing to admit that my normal runs are ridiculously slow, but for the incredible energy and good feelings I gain from slowing down I guess it is worth a little "embarassment".
So, take it from me, it isn't always about pushing yourself to do more and get faster...sometimes you need to slow down so you can ENJOY the run! Maybe that same concept can apply to your life too....slow down so you can enjoy your life!!??!
I recently met a guy whose business is training athletes using their heart rate. Although I am only in the beginning stages of learning how to pay attention and figure out what to do based on mine, it has made all the difference with my running! For the first time in a year I got out and ran four days in a row - and WANTED to! That was the incredible part - I actually wanted to get out. I didn't need to, didn't have to, it wasn't in my training plan....I just felt like it. I had even upped my heart rate ranges for the last two days.
Taking care of, and listening to your body, can be so very hard to do. But, the rewards of it are well worth it. I had a feeling that four days might be too much, but I was feeling so good and I wanted to get my dog out and let her burn some energy. So, I went anyway. I should have listened. Because, for the first time in weeks, I was tired after my run and needed a nap and then this morning I woke up feeling drained. Four days was too much and my body needed to rest. So, I rested today and will hope to get some good sleep, and then in the morning I'll try getting out to run again and lower my heart rate ranges back to where they were when I was feeling so great.
I haven't liked this sluggish feeling today. It is too similar to how I'd felt the last year, before I started paying attention to my heart rate. I like the energetic, happy feeling I've had since I slowed down and stopped pushing myself constantly. Sometimes it can be embarrasing to admit that my normal runs are ridiculously slow, but for the incredible energy and good feelings I gain from slowing down I guess it is worth a little "embarassment".
So, take it from me, it isn't always about pushing yourself to do more and get faster...sometimes you need to slow down so you can ENJOY the run! Maybe that same concept can apply to your life too....slow down so you can enjoy your life!!??!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
To Run, or Not To Run
To run, or not to run, that is the question many runners ask themselves when they are planning to run and awake to the pitter-patter of raindrops on their window. For all of the runners that I know, if it is a race day there is no question - you will run!
If it isn't a race day, that decision changes and more questions need to be answered: Is there lightning or thunder? If yes, there is no question - I shouldn't run. My life needs some excitement, but not that kind! Then, is someone expecting me and will they call me a sissy if I bail? More often than not, they will call you a sissy even if they are hoping you will bail because they don't want to run in the rain either! They have to call you a sissy though, it is just a rite of the runner to act like they are tough if a fellow runner is being whiney about not wanting to run - regardless of the reason.
Now, if a fellow runner (or group) isn't expecting you on a rainy day, then you think about whether or not this run is "necessary". Is it part of a training plan and will it mess up your training if you miss this run? If not, then how long has it been since your previous run and how much longer before your schedule allows you another run day? How long is it going to rain for, how hard is the rain, will it finish by the time you get up and get dressed? On an on.
So many questions, and to think all of these are mulling through the runner's mind in mere seconds once the ears hear the rain drops! So much debating going on just because of RAIN! How funny that your perfectly laid plans can be totally destroyed by rain.
Yet, does it need to be that way? What is wrong with running in the rain? Before I became a "real" runner, and I'm not entirely sure when that was either, but before then I used to think that running in the rain was crazy. Who wants to get all soaking wet? It didn't occur to me that when I ran and got all sweaty I ended up "wet" anyway!
Then it happened, I was going through my first training plan for a Marathon. I wasn't signed up for one, but I knew I wanted to run one and I wanted to see if I could survive the training plan first before I committed to signing up for one. Yes, I was being a sissy! So, my schedule required a 10-11 mile run and it was a cloudy saturday morning. I had three little girls at home, and a husband willing to take charge while I went and ran. My time was limited, so if I was to get in that run I had no choice but to do it that day. My husband had questioned me, "What if it rains?" I said I didn't know...I had never run in the rain and I had no idea what I would do. I just kept hoping I would get finished with my run before it started.
I wasn't so fortunate. One mile in to my run it began raining. Lightly at first, so I thought "No problem." and I kept on running. A couple of miles in to it and it began raining a little harder. I was too far in to quit, and I needed to get my miles in right then. So, I kept running. Next thing I know, I had finished 13 miles instead of 10! I FELT GREAT! Was it the rain? What was the difference?
I'll never know what made me feel so good that day. But, I went home feeling like a "real" runner that day...one of those "crazies" who toughs it out no matter what. It was GREAT! And it was fun. It was reminiscient of my childhood days of playing in the rain. It made me feel young, and energetic and refreshed. I decided that from then on, rain would not deter me from running again.
Now, whenever it is raining out (and isn't below 50 degrees out) I will go run. I might even throw on my dirtiest running shoes (cuz they will get clean) and go run in the rain even if I don't have a run scheduled that day. What better way to clear your head of all the garbage from your day than to go and "play" in the rain - jumping over puddles, trying to catch rain drops on your tongue, looking to the sky and letting the rain fall on your face, and just having fun!
So, if you are a runner who has never run in the rain, stop being such a sissy and go for it! You never know, you might get hooked! The best part? You'll be able to start calling all of your other non-rain-running friends "SISSIES"!!
If it isn't a race day, that decision changes and more questions need to be answered: Is there lightning or thunder? If yes, there is no question - I shouldn't run. My life needs some excitement, but not that kind! Then, is someone expecting me and will they call me a sissy if I bail? More often than not, they will call you a sissy even if they are hoping you will bail because they don't want to run in the rain either! They have to call you a sissy though, it is just a rite of the runner to act like they are tough if a fellow runner is being whiney about not wanting to run - regardless of the reason.
Now, if a fellow runner (or group) isn't expecting you on a rainy day, then you think about whether or not this run is "necessary". Is it part of a training plan and will it mess up your training if you miss this run? If not, then how long has it been since your previous run and how much longer before your schedule allows you another run day? How long is it going to rain for, how hard is the rain, will it finish by the time you get up and get dressed? On an on.
So many questions, and to think all of these are mulling through the runner's mind in mere seconds once the ears hear the rain drops! So much debating going on just because of RAIN! How funny that your perfectly laid plans can be totally destroyed by rain.
Yet, does it need to be that way? What is wrong with running in the rain? Before I became a "real" runner, and I'm not entirely sure when that was either, but before then I used to think that running in the rain was crazy. Who wants to get all soaking wet? It didn't occur to me that when I ran and got all sweaty I ended up "wet" anyway!
Then it happened, I was going through my first training plan for a Marathon. I wasn't signed up for one, but I knew I wanted to run one and I wanted to see if I could survive the training plan first before I committed to signing up for one. Yes, I was being a sissy! So, my schedule required a 10-11 mile run and it was a cloudy saturday morning. I had three little girls at home, and a husband willing to take charge while I went and ran. My time was limited, so if I was to get in that run I had no choice but to do it that day. My husband had questioned me, "What if it rains?" I said I didn't know...I had never run in the rain and I had no idea what I would do. I just kept hoping I would get finished with my run before it started.
I wasn't so fortunate. One mile in to my run it began raining. Lightly at first, so I thought "No problem." and I kept on running. A couple of miles in to it and it began raining a little harder. I was too far in to quit, and I needed to get my miles in right then. So, I kept running. Next thing I know, I had finished 13 miles instead of 10! I FELT GREAT! Was it the rain? What was the difference?
I'll never know what made me feel so good that day. But, I went home feeling like a "real" runner that day...one of those "crazies" who toughs it out no matter what. It was GREAT! And it was fun. It was reminiscient of my childhood days of playing in the rain. It made me feel young, and energetic and refreshed. I decided that from then on, rain would not deter me from running again.
Now, whenever it is raining out (and isn't below 50 degrees out) I will go run. I might even throw on my dirtiest running shoes (cuz they will get clean) and go run in the rain even if I don't have a run scheduled that day. What better way to clear your head of all the garbage from your day than to go and "play" in the rain - jumping over puddles, trying to catch rain drops on your tongue, looking to the sky and letting the rain fall on your face, and just having fun!
So, if you are a runner who has never run in the rain, stop being such a sissy and go for it! You never know, you might get hooked! The best part? You'll be able to start calling all of your other non-rain-running friends "SISSIES"!!
Friday, April 4, 2008
ING Georgia Marathon Pictures
The ING Georgia Marathon pictures are in! It is funny how we long to see pictures from our special events, yet once we finally seem them all we can do is be critical of ourselves. Everyone else looks just great, but we nit-pick at every so-called fault that we see in ourselves! What is the point of doing that?
Our shining moments should be enjoyed, and we should revel in them, not pick apart our hair, clothes, or like me - the "jiggly" looking skin on my legs or the smile wrinkles on my face!
So, when you check out your pictures, stop looking for your flaws and look for the evidence of a successful day! See the smiles and the struggles and know that you achieved something really awesome! Then ENJOY THE PICTURE!
Click here to see them: http://www.asiorders.com/view_event.asp?EVENTID=31246
Our shining moments should be enjoyed, and we should revel in them, not pick apart our hair, clothes, or like me - the "jiggly" looking skin on my legs or the smile wrinkles on my face!
So, when you check out your pictures, stop looking for your flaws and look for the evidence of a successful day! See the smiles and the struggles and know that you achieved something really awesome! Then ENJOY THE PICTURE!
Click here to see them: http://www.asiorders.com/view_event.asp?EVENTID=31246
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Online Registration is Now Open
We are sad to see our first Marathon season of USA Fit Atlanta come to an end, but it was a great season and we are now excited to keep the momentum going!
The new 10K season is beginning, and we get to spend the next couple of months continuing to run but we get to step back and focus on speed and fun instead of distance and endurance. We will be training mostly for the Peachtree Road Race, but some will just want to come and run and won't be running the Peachtree. How great is that - running just to run?!!!
I am looking forward to having many of Season 1's members stay on, and some are even staying on to Coach! YAY! Yet, I am also looking forward to all the new people that will be coming on board. We have interest from experienced runners and new runners. It is wonderful to see people who want to improve their peformance AND people who just want to get started and get fit! What a wonderful thing!
That is why we are here, skill doesn't matter...getting FIT does! Everyone has to start somewhere, and we just happen to think that starting with running is the best and most fun way to start!!
http://www.usafitatlanta.com/
The new 10K season is beginning, and we get to spend the next couple of months continuing to run but we get to step back and focus on speed and fun instead of distance and endurance. We will be training mostly for the Peachtree Road Race, but some will just want to come and run and won't be running the Peachtree. How great is that - running just to run?!!!
I am looking forward to having many of Season 1's members stay on, and some are even staying on to Coach! YAY! Yet, I am also looking forward to all the new people that will be coming on board. We have interest from experienced runners and new runners. It is wonderful to see people who want to improve their peformance AND people who just want to get started and get fit! What a wonderful thing!
That is why we are here, skill doesn't matter...getting FIT does! Everyone has to start somewhere, and we just happen to think that starting with running is the best and most fun way to start!!
http://www.usafitatlanta.com/
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Pain is temporary, The Pride lasts forever!
I am still on an emotional high from Marathon Day. I am in awe of the experience and the events of the day.
You know, I realized on Marathon Day that there are just some times in your life when you just KNOW that something was just MEANT to be because there is no other way to explain how the moments worked together to cause something to happen. Let me explain...
The week before the race, I spent my 6 mile run with Joyce - one of USA Fit's members. We ran slow and just enjoyed the time. It was great. As I left the run that day, I just knew that I was going to run the race with Joyce. It wasn't something that I pondered, questioned, or even really thought about. It just "occured" to me that I would. It isn't like I really thought Joyce would "need" me or anything - she is one strong lady and I knew that no matter what she would finish that race. But, I had this feeling I WOULD run with her.
So, I didn't tell her this, but I did everything I could to plan for it and make sure that we met up before the race so that we could start off together - even telling everyone to meet at the train station at 5 am - on time! Yet, that morning EVERYTHING got in the way of us starting the race together. I picked up Marie and Yelina on time, but they weren't quite ready and so we ended up taking 5 minutes too long and got to the Doraville Marta station 6 minutes after 5 - I had told everyone, including Joyce, FIVE AM ON THE DOT! THEN, it took the girls almost 10 minutes to get their Marta passes, so by the time we got in to the station it was 15 after 5 and no one was in sight. We walked up to the train and saw one person on it so we went back down to look and wait. The train LEFT! None of the group, or Joyce, showed up.
Come to find out - they were on that train! Needless to say, when we finally got on the next train and went downtown there was no way in this world we were going to find Joyce or anyone else in that crowd of 15,000 runners! It was chaos - an absolute mad house! We couldn't even get back to the Corral that we were supposed to be in! We ended up in Corral 3 or 4 - I have no idea which because I couldn't tell! We gave up trying to push back to our Corral and just decided to try to stay out of the way of the faster people when we got started. This whole time I tried to stay calm and kept telling myself "Somehow I will find Joyce!" I had no idea HOW! It seemed IMPOSSIBLE!
It took a few minutes to get to the start, and then we were off. Before we even started the second mile, Marie had to stop at the porta-potty but there were long lines already so we decided to wait another mile. By about mile 3 she couldn't wait any longer, so we stopped at a long porta-potty line! It took us ten minutes. I wasn't happy, but tried to use the time to find Joyce so I stood there watching the masses of runners, trying to find her!! I couldn't see anyone familiar!
We got back to running and I figured that all was lost and there was no way we would find Joyce. But, a couple of miles later Marie just shouts, out of the blue, "There's Joyce!" I look around and don't see anyone and Marie says "Right there in that line." A woman turned slightly and it was Joyce standing at a different porta-potty line! Marie recognized the back of Joyce's head! In a crowd of people on the other side of the road from where we were! How does that happen?!!!! I say it was meant to happen! Call it God, the Law of Attraction, Destiny...call it whatever you want to, but regardless of circumstances and interferences, I was going to run with Joyce.
I had run 5 previous Marathons - none of which compared to this Marathon. In my other marathons I had still been surrounded by the crowds of runners. On this day, Joyce and I were mostly alone. We had the occasional person that we would pass or that would pass us, and we spoke to most of them. There were some cool people, like the guy who asked to pray for Joyce when she was having a hard time with her leg. Then the guy who was running his 107th marathon and was in his 70's and only started running in his 50's. We enjoyed the scenery - even through the freezing winds of Decatur. Joyce knew most of the neighborhoods and told me little facts about them.
We had a good time, and then the race got tough. The hills started to become a struggle, and the distance became more than Joyce had been able to run in her training runs. Through it all I KNEW she would finish - I just wanted to make sure she finished in the 7 hour time frame so that she could get the Medal! Joyce wanted that medal too, and so she kept making sure that we were on pace....staying on an average pace that was less than 15 minutes per mile. We knew that our average pace had to be less than 16 minutes per mile to finish in under 7 hours. She was on target for about a 6 and a half hour finish!
What impressed me so much about Joyce was her inner strength! It didn't matter what happend or how tired she was or how much she hurt....Joyce kept MOVING! I am certain there were times that she wanted to hit me for telling her to pump her arms and keep moving her legs, but she kept going and she didn't hit me. Lucky for me she didn't have the energy to pop me a good one upside the head by mile 25!
I tell you - that last mile felt like about 6 miles! It seemed to never end! Every time I thought it was going to be around the next corner, there was just more road and more turns. Then, we could see the park and began heading in to the park. I thought we would just have a straight shot to the finish, but NO...they had to DRAG IT OUT! There were all these curves and turns and it just kept going! I wanted to punch out the person who decided to make the finish a wiggly, curvy mass!
But, we FINALLY were coming up to the last curve and I reminded Joyce that she had saved some energy to run to the finish. She gave me that look - the one that I came to think meant she wanted to punch me out! But, we got to the curve that led to the finish line and Joyce dug deep in to her soul and pulled out the last remaining ounce of energy she had, and she RAN across that finish line. I won't know until I see the pictures, but I think she was even smiling!!!
Of all my Marathons this was the best finish ever. I have run all my other marathons for myself. This one wasn't about me at all. It was all for Joyce! I am so fortunate to have been able to run with her for 20 miles of her 26.2!
You know, Joyce thinks that I sacrificed my own personal time for her - especially since she actually beat me (she had a chip time of 6:38 and mine was 6:43). What she doesn't realize is that I didn't sacrifice anything - I was given a gift. The gift of knowing her, being able to run with her, and being able to be with her as she crossed that finish line and became a new person! That was NOT a sacrifice...it was an honor, one that I don't even feel worthy of!
So......to the most amazing runner I know... THANK YOU JOYCE!
I love you and I am PROUD of you!
You know, I realized on Marathon Day that there are just some times in your life when you just KNOW that something was just MEANT to be because there is no other way to explain how the moments worked together to cause something to happen. Let me explain...
The week before the race, I spent my 6 mile run with Joyce - one of USA Fit's members. We ran slow and just enjoyed the time. It was great. As I left the run that day, I just knew that I was going to run the race with Joyce. It wasn't something that I pondered, questioned, or even really thought about. It just "occured" to me that I would. It isn't like I really thought Joyce would "need" me or anything - she is one strong lady and I knew that no matter what she would finish that race. But, I had this feeling I WOULD run with her.
So, I didn't tell her this, but I did everything I could to plan for it and make sure that we met up before the race so that we could start off together - even telling everyone to meet at the train station at 5 am - on time! Yet, that morning EVERYTHING got in the way of us starting the race together. I picked up Marie and Yelina on time, but they weren't quite ready and so we ended up taking 5 minutes too long and got to the Doraville Marta station 6 minutes after 5 - I had told everyone, including Joyce, FIVE AM ON THE DOT! THEN, it took the girls almost 10 minutes to get their Marta passes, so by the time we got in to the station it was 15 after 5 and no one was in sight. We walked up to the train and saw one person on it so we went back down to look and wait. The train LEFT! None of the group, or Joyce, showed up.
Come to find out - they were on that train! Needless to say, when we finally got on the next train and went downtown there was no way in this world we were going to find Joyce or anyone else in that crowd of 15,000 runners! It was chaos - an absolute mad house! We couldn't even get back to the Corral that we were supposed to be in! We ended up in Corral 3 or 4 - I have no idea which because I couldn't tell! We gave up trying to push back to our Corral and just decided to try to stay out of the way of the faster people when we got started. This whole time I tried to stay calm and kept telling myself "Somehow I will find Joyce!" I had no idea HOW! It seemed IMPOSSIBLE!
It took a few minutes to get to the start, and then we were off. Before we even started the second mile, Marie had to stop at the porta-potty but there were long lines already so we decided to wait another mile. By about mile 3 she couldn't wait any longer, so we stopped at a long porta-potty line! It took us ten minutes. I wasn't happy, but tried to use the time to find Joyce so I stood there watching the masses of runners, trying to find her!! I couldn't see anyone familiar!
We got back to running and I figured that all was lost and there was no way we would find Joyce. But, a couple of miles later Marie just shouts, out of the blue, "There's Joyce!" I look around and don't see anyone and Marie says "Right there in that line." A woman turned slightly and it was Joyce standing at a different porta-potty line! Marie recognized the back of Joyce's head! In a crowd of people on the other side of the road from where we were! How does that happen?!!!! I say it was meant to happen! Call it God, the Law of Attraction, Destiny...call it whatever you want to, but regardless of circumstances and interferences, I was going to run with Joyce.
I had run 5 previous Marathons - none of which compared to this Marathon. In my other marathons I had still been surrounded by the crowds of runners. On this day, Joyce and I were mostly alone. We had the occasional person that we would pass or that would pass us, and we spoke to most of them. There were some cool people, like the guy who asked to pray for Joyce when she was having a hard time with her leg. Then the guy who was running his 107th marathon and was in his 70's and only started running in his 50's. We enjoyed the scenery - even through the freezing winds of Decatur. Joyce knew most of the neighborhoods and told me little facts about them.
We had a good time, and then the race got tough. The hills started to become a struggle, and the distance became more than Joyce had been able to run in her training runs. Through it all I KNEW she would finish - I just wanted to make sure she finished in the 7 hour time frame so that she could get the Medal! Joyce wanted that medal too, and so she kept making sure that we were on pace....staying on an average pace that was less than 15 minutes per mile. We knew that our average pace had to be less than 16 minutes per mile to finish in under 7 hours. She was on target for about a 6 and a half hour finish!
What impressed me so much about Joyce was her inner strength! It didn't matter what happend or how tired she was or how much she hurt....Joyce kept MOVING! I am certain there were times that she wanted to hit me for telling her to pump her arms and keep moving her legs, but she kept going and she didn't hit me. Lucky for me she didn't have the energy to pop me a good one upside the head by mile 25!
I tell you - that last mile felt like about 6 miles! It seemed to never end! Every time I thought it was going to be around the next corner, there was just more road and more turns. Then, we could see the park and began heading in to the park. I thought we would just have a straight shot to the finish, but NO...they had to DRAG IT OUT! There were all these curves and turns and it just kept going! I wanted to punch out the person who decided to make the finish a wiggly, curvy mass!
But, we FINALLY were coming up to the last curve and I reminded Joyce that she had saved some energy to run to the finish. She gave me that look - the one that I came to think meant she wanted to punch me out! But, we got to the curve that led to the finish line and Joyce dug deep in to her soul and pulled out the last remaining ounce of energy she had, and she RAN across that finish line. I won't know until I see the pictures, but I think she was even smiling!!!
Of all my Marathons this was the best finish ever. I have run all my other marathons for myself. This one wasn't about me at all. It was all for Joyce! I am so fortunate to have been able to run with her for 20 miles of her 26.2!
You know, Joyce thinks that I sacrificed my own personal time for her - especially since she actually beat me (she had a chip time of 6:38 and mine was 6:43). What she doesn't realize is that I didn't sacrifice anything - I was given a gift. The gift of knowing her, being able to run with her, and being able to be with her as she crossed that finish line and became a new person! That was NOT a sacrifice...it was an honor, one that I don't even feel worthy of!
So......to the most amazing runner I know... THANK YOU JOYCE!
I love you and I am PROUD of you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
