Hello, New World! I come typing to you 2 weeks after, and fully recovered from, my second full marathon- I completed the Nationwide Columbus Marathon on October 20, 2013!!!
Yahoo!!!
I need to give shout-outs to my best running buddies and cheerleaders- Marisa, Meredith, Kerri, Erica, Heffe, Mosey, Ryan, and Mama and Papa Sciato. Couldn't have done it without these people-
you are all an inspiration and my best asset!!!
Meesie, me, Mer, Kerri, and Erica post race- these troopers waited for me in the cold to finish the full!!
PS- how awesome is Meese's headband, it says, "Just don't be last" hahaha! #truth
PPS- Meese and Mer both set PRs this race day!!! ROCK.STARS.
Low points of the race:
Miles 7ish and 9ish. NEVER in my entire racing life have I had to stop during a race for potty breaks. Anxiety and its related issues got the best of me.
Miles 17-22. This was the only desolate part of the course. Running through Ohio Stadium at mile 19ish was AWESOME... but it wasn't really spectator friendly. Plus it was miles 17-22. I couldn't really remember who I was, where I was trying to go, or why I had committed to a full marathon at that point.
Complete desperation.
High points of the race:
Seeing Mosey and Ryan every 3-4 miles during the first half!! You guys are amazing for chasing everyone around!!! And your signs were seriously the best out there!
Seeing my parents and random familiar faces along the course- I felt a little righteous seeing people I hadn't seen in years, while sporting my blue "marathon" bib (as opposed to the orange "1/2 marathon" bib)
"Because 26.3 is crazy!" ;)
Seeing Heffe at Mile 22- I really needed a good pep talk and a "Seriously, you only have 4 left." :)
He's a seasoned marathoner- he knows exactly what to say to bring it all back!
Finishing the race. Did I mention that I PRed?! Even with the potty breaks, walking breaks, 11 minute miles, and Heffe's pep talk... I still knocked 13 minutes and change off my Cleveland time!
My next goal: Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon, May 2015. :)
I'd like to end with a little story.
Yesterday, my parents and Heffe and I were enjoying a post-wedding-planning cocktail and some apps at Marcella's, when marathons came up. My parents are not the working out types, but anyone's able to read about "runner's highs" and "runner's addictions to running"... However, they've really gotten to see all the blood, sweat, and tears behind my last few races. I think they REALLY get the hype behind running now. ;)
Anyway, my dad asked either Heffe or me about someone's ability to finish a marathon.
I got a little peeved. Here's why.
I personally do NOT believe that completing a marathon is about one's ability to do it. Anyone CAN do it. (Have you ever SEEN the Biggest Loser when they ALL run a marathon at the end of the show?!)
There's so much more that goes into it...
Sure, training schedules are approximately 18 weeks in length, but to become that sort of an athlete takes WAY more than 18 weeks. It takes a few months of physical training before then to work up to the first week of 3 miles, 5 miles, 3 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles. It takes a HUGE mental commitment to cutting out "free time" and other social activities. It takes a creativity to make up mind games with yourself to keep going when you really don't want to wake up at 6am on a Sunday morning to run 18 miles, or when you don't remember why you even started in the first place. It takes passion to constantly want to make yourself better, even if it's just for one day. And yes, all you skeptics- it takes a little bit of crazy to believe that you can cheat all natural instincts, and death, by running 26.2 miles in a single sitting.
It takes strength in EVERY sense of the word.
So. It's not about ability. It's about you. Are you willing to be physically and mentally tough? Are you willing to give up your personal time and social commitments? Are you willing to be creative, passionate, hopeful, and a little crazy?
If you answered yes to any of the above, I'll see you in Cincy in May 2015. :)
Until next time, New World.
This is me. Bein me.
Cheers. :)
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