The week leading up to my first race in 2011 I was excited, and nervous. As the weekend approached, I hoped that all of the work I have been doing with my psychologist would pay off. I didn't expect to run faster because of it, but run a more confident race, and handle the mental side of it better.
The typical doubts came pouring in, but unlike in the past I had ways to combat them. I reminded myself to ENJOY racing, it is what I love, and that a single race never defines me, so it was time to race with confidence. I knew I would be able to run well if I raced smart, and mentally stayed away from the negative thoughts.
I started my warm up, and envisioned the race one last time. I reminded myself that for 9 minutes of my life I had to focus on ONE thing, and keep my focus there. All of my attention needed to be in one place, the next step in front of me.
The gun went off, and I was off the line quick, and just tucked in behind the chase pack. Erin Nehaus was in the lead by herself, but I knew better than to go with her. My PR was just under 80 seconds per lap, and to run 75's would be a mistake. My goal was 9:40 so 77's was the plan. I plugged away in 2nd to last for the first 6 laps. Then I moved around and filled in the gap off the chase pack, putting me in 4th place. As we came up on the mile I realized the person leading our pack (Rachel Patterson of Miami OH) was slowing a bit, so I went to the front of the chase pack, and ran a few 37 second laps trying to close the gap on Nehaus. I felt more and more confidence as I watched her come toward me. I reminded myself it was worth the pain to race well, and to remain confident. I was in no man's land, but thought I could push through it. lap 12 was 40 seconds and I knew I had to get back into it. I pushed the next lap in 38 but with 400m to go a gal from southern Missouri went around me, and it was just the kick in the butt I needed. I went with her and we came through the 200m mark together. I gave it one last big push on the back stretch, and we struggled stride for stride over the last 100m. When it came down to it, she had the better finish. I was 3rd in 9:41.11 a 17 second PR. I was really happy.
It made me excited for the next chance I will have to race on the track in February! I was proud to wear my Oiselle jersey for the first time on the track! I am feeling great about my training, enjoying working on the mental side of running and life, and excited for all the 2011 may bring!
My next races will be either the mile or 3k at the Akron Invite on Feb 12th, followed by something at the Kent State last chance meet on Feb 19th.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Marathon: A Fickle Beast
Oiselle invited me to write a blog about the first race I ran as a sponsored athlete of their company. http://www.oiselle.com/. Sally, THANK YOU!!
Aboard my flight from Dayton Ohio to Sacramento California, I couldn’t stop my mind from wondering to thoughts of coming through the 20 mile point, feeling poised and ready to cruise to the finish line in 2:36 well under the time I needed to obtain the long sought after Olympic Trials ‘A’ standard. I knew that would take a very solid effort on my part since only 2 months prior my dreams had come crashing down around me long before reaching even the 12 mile mark in the Twin Cities Marathon. Since then I had a few more great workouts, and very solid training block under me. Unlike Twin Cities I this time, I felt confident.
Two days and numerous bouts of daydreaming later, I found myself standing on the starting line breathing one last calm breath before the gun fired. It was finally time to do what I had imagined hundreds of times over in my head, RACE! I settled in quickly just off the back of the lead pack, and plugged away running 5:50’s for the most part. With each passing mile I kept waiting for the course to flatten out and the lead pack to start breaking up. Around mile 6 the pack began to break, but not the way I had hoped. I was the one falling off! The 5:50 miles had quickly turned into 5:45 miles, and I couldn’t hold on any longer. I frantically tried to keep myself from imploding, by reevaluating things, and trying to plug away at 6:00 pace. By 10 miles I was struggling to be under 6:10 pace. This was not the daydream race I had imagined. Around mile 14 a friend passed and with a slap on the butt she tried to pull me a long. We laughed a bit but I couldn’t keep up long. Mile 16 came in what seemed like 20 miles from mile 14 and another friend had caught up. She was having a hard time, and I tried to pull her along, but it wasn’t much after that she needed to walk. I counted my blessings then and realized, “this could be worse”. Around mile 18 a few men were passing out free beer. I want to tell you I didn’t even notice them because I was plugging away running as hard as I could, I was in the zone…but that would be a bold faced lie! I desperately wanted to stop, have a beer, laugh, and enjoy, enjoy ANYTHING!! 7 miles later when I finally reached mile 25 a little girl yelled “good news is, you can still break 3 hours”. Let’s just say she is lucky she was 8 years old because my smile would have been a more grotesque gesture had she been 18. Finally the finish line! 2 hours 55 minutes, and 15 seconds of dream shattering running behind me, then oddly enough I felt a smile come across my face.
I looked back through my splits, and had to laugh. I ran like I had no idea what lie ahead. As if I was stronger than the 26.2 miles of pavement that was ahead of me. And like the fickle beast it is the marathon had reminded me that all the confidence in the world doesn’t change it’s ability to bring us to our knees. I was sad to have missed my goal, ashamed of my decisions to run reckless in the first 10 miles of the race, and amazed with how well I was handling the disappointment. I have never learned so much in a single race during 15 years of running as I did in this one. Our ability to endure for the sake of something we want is simply incredible. Mile after endless mile we seek our goals with an unabashed passion, and the really difficult miles make all of the great ones more worth it. When I think back to the days leading up to the race I realize I couldn’t have possibly understood how much a terrible race could become a terribly amazing experience. I know I am blessed to fall apart to a 2:55 marathon, and I know that the next time I line up for a marathon, I will bide my time, and have a reverence for the distance before me regardless of how confident I feel, and if all goes well, hopefully I won’t notice the free beer until I cross the finish line with the Olympic Trials ‘A’ standard under my feet.
Aboard my flight from Dayton Ohio to Sacramento California, I couldn’t stop my mind from wondering to thoughts of coming through the 20 mile point, feeling poised and ready to cruise to the finish line in 2:36 well under the time I needed to obtain the long sought after Olympic Trials ‘A’ standard. I knew that would take a very solid effort on my part since only 2 months prior my dreams had come crashing down around me long before reaching even the 12 mile mark in the Twin Cities Marathon. Since then I had a few more great workouts, and very solid training block under me. Unlike Twin Cities I this time, I felt confident.
Two days and numerous bouts of daydreaming later, I found myself standing on the starting line breathing one last calm breath before the gun fired. It was finally time to do what I had imagined hundreds of times over in my head, RACE! I settled in quickly just off the back of the lead pack, and plugged away running 5:50’s for the most part. With each passing mile I kept waiting for the course to flatten out and the lead pack to start breaking up. Around mile 6 the pack began to break, but not the way I had hoped. I was the one falling off! The 5:50 miles had quickly turned into 5:45 miles, and I couldn’t hold on any longer. I frantically tried to keep myself from imploding, by reevaluating things, and trying to plug away at 6:00 pace. By 10 miles I was struggling to be under 6:10 pace. This was not the daydream race I had imagined. Around mile 14 a friend passed and with a slap on the butt she tried to pull me a long. We laughed a bit but I couldn’t keep up long. Mile 16 came in what seemed like 20 miles from mile 14 and another friend had caught up. She was having a hard time, and I tried to pull her along, but it wasn’t much after that she needed to walk. I counted my blessings then and realized, “this could be worse”. Around mile 18 a few men were passing out free beer. I want to tell you I didn’t even notice them because I was plugging away running as hard as I could, I was in the zone…but that would be a bold faced lie! I desperately wanted to stop, have a beer, laugh, and enjoy, enjoy ANYTHING!! 7 miles later when I finally reached mile 25 a little girl yelled “good news is, you can still break 3 hours”. Let’s just say she is lucky she was 8 years old because my smile would have been a more grotesque gesture had she been 18. Finally the finish line! 2 hours 55 minutes, and 15 seconds of dream shattering running behind me, then oddly enough I felt a smile come across my face.
I looked back through my splits, and had to laugh. I ran like I had no idea what lie ahead. As if I was stronger than the 26.2 miles of pavement that was ahead of me. And like the fickle beast it is the marathon had reminded me that all the confidence in the world doesn’t change it’s ability to bring us to our knees. I was sad to have missed my goal, ashamed of my decisions to run reckless in the first 10 miles of the race, and amazed with how well I was handling the disappointment. I have never learned so much in a single race during 15 years of running as I did in this one. Our ability to endure for the sake of something we want is simply incredible. Mile after endless mile we seek our goals with an unabashed passion, and the really difficult miles make all of the great ones more worth it. When I think back to the days leading up to the race I realize I couldn’t have possibly understood how much a terrible race could become a terribly amazing experience. I know I am blessed to fall apart to a 2:55 marathon, and I know that the next time I line up for a marathon, I will bide my time, and have a reverence for the distance before me regardless of how confident I feel, and if all goes well, hopefully I won’t notice the free beer until I cross the finish line with the Olympic Trials ‘A’ standard under my feet.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Exciting Things!
Some things in my life have been seeming very exciting lately, so I will share!
I have been running right around 80 miles a week with increasing voulme and intesity of workouts over the past month. It has been a lot of fun to get to do some fast running with Ann, and to feel some quick turnover again.
I have been working with my sports psychologist, Shaun Goodsell, and in only one week I feel like I am making progress to becoming a more mentally tough athlete. Shaun pointed out the root of my seemingly never ending anxiety. Everyday I experience it whether it be having to do a workout with someone, cleaning my house, or simply getting a couple things done at one time, I freak out a little inside, and often it is visible to those around me. I have wondered for over a year now why I feel this internal angst when working out with Ann in particular. She is really the only person I do workouts with, so I am sure it would go beyond her. I know she is a great athlete, but honestly I've never felt like I just can't run with her. However we would get into workout after workout, and I would panic and fall apart, feeling helpless. After talking with Shaun I felt a sense of relief. He told me that according to what he knew about me, the anxiety I experienced was due to a need for control over everything I do. It was like a nagging injury, it eats away at you until you finally find out what it is. You can be told you have a broken leg, and somehow you feel better just knowing why you are in pain.
Saturday Ann and I did probably the toughest workout we ever have together, and I felt a sense of calmness for the first time that I can remember. It was AWESOME!! We BOTH had great workouts, and I loved feeling freedom from the anxiety!
Shaun and I talk via email, txt or phone everyday, and then once a week we skype for about an hour. He is located in Minnesota, so that is the best way. His website is www.mentaledgenow.com. I am very excited to see the ways he can help me to become not only a better athlete, but person!
We have changed things a bit looking to Jan 28th. I will be running the 3k not the mile, and I am pleased with that. I feel like my fitness is coming along, and I am more motivated to chase a good time in the 3k than the mile for whatever reason. I doubt I would make the invite section of the mile, so the 3k was the better option.
I am excited to wear my new sponsor's jersey, and represent a company that is as awesome, and helpful as Oiselle! You can check out their stuff at www.oiselle.com they will be launching the Spring 2011 line on February 1st and IT IS AMAZING!!
So those are the exciting things in my life that I have to share! Also, January is 1/2 over which means we are closer to longer days, and more mild weather (fist pump)!!
Keep plugging away, and believing this is going to be an awesome year!!
Becki
I have been running right around 80 miles a week with increasing voulme and intesity of workouts over the past month. It has been a lot of fun to get to do some fast running with Ann, and to feel some quick turnover again.
I have been working with my sports psychologist, Shaun Goodsell, and in only one week I feel like I am making progress to becoming a more mentally tough athlete. Shaun pointed out the root of my seemingly never ending anxiety. Everyday I experience it whether it be having to do a workout with someone, cleaning my house, or simply getting a couple things done at one time, I freak out a little inside, and often it is visible to those around me. I have wondered for over a year now why I feel this internal angst when working out with Ann in particular. She is really the only person I do workouts with, so I am sure it would go beyond her. I know she is a great athlete, but honestly I've never felt like I just can't run with her. However we would get into workout after workout, and I would panic and fall apart, feeling helpless. After talking with Shaun I felt a sense of relief. He told me that according to what he knew about me, the anxiety I experienced was due to a need for control over everything I do. It was like a nagging injury, it eats away at you until you finally find out what it is. You can be told you have a broken leg, and somehow you feel better just knowing why you are in pain.
Saturday Ann and I did probably the toughest workout we ever have together, and I felt a sense of calmness for the first time that I can remember. It was AWESOME!! We BOTH had great workouts, and I loved feeling freedom from the anxiety!
Shaun and I talk via email, txt or phone everyday, and then once a week we skype for about an hour. He is located in Minnesota, so that is the best way. His website is www.mentaledgenow.com. I am very excited to see the ways he can help me to become not only a better athlete, but person!
We have changed things a bit looking to Jan 28th. I will be running the 3k not the mile, and I am pleased with that. I feel like my fitness is coming along, and I am more motivated to chase a good time in the 3k than the mile for whatever reason. I doubt I would make the invite section of the mile, so the 3k was the better option.
I am excited to wear my new sponsor's jersey, and represent a company that is as awesome, and helpful as Oiselle! You can check out their stuff at www.oiselle.com they will be launching the Spring 2011 line on February 1st and IT IS AMAZING!!
So those are the exciting things in my life that I have to share! Also, January is 1/2 over which means we are closer to longer days, and more mild weather (fist pump)!!
Keep plugging away, and believing this is going to be an awesome year!!
Becki
Monday, January 10, 2011
it's indoor season
This month feels like indoor season, with days well under 10 degrees, and miles on indoor surfaces already under my feet! Yep, that's right I love indoor season! I love monotony and if it is time for indoor running that means spring isn't too far off, and that means TRACK SEASON isn't that far off!
I am looking forward to my first race in nearly 2 months coming up here soon. It feels like I haven't raced in a very long time so I am eager to get to the start line. I will race the mile at the Indiana Relays on Jan 28th.
Ahh the mile, it reminds me of college, and lactic acid up to my eyes! haha! I haven't raced a mile in almost a year, despite it being my favorite distance. I am not a miler, and if you have ever seen my knee lift you would fully understand haha!
I hope to be running under 5 mins in Bloomington in 18 days. My PR of 4:54 seems unrealistic to break, but sub 5 doesn't feel impossible. Tough, but not impossible.
After the mile in Indiana, I will be racing 3k in Akron, and Kent 2 different weekends in February. I love the thought of a 3k PR, and have made that my main focus for the next 6 weeks. or so. My PR of 9:41 only makes me want to become a sub 9:30 girl more than ever. I ran that time in Indiana a year ago, and have wanted to break 9:30 ever since. I will have 2 chances, then it is time to head on up to the 5k/10k for the outdoor season.
Training is going well, and I am actually feeling pretty fit despite not really having done too much. I am healthy, and eager to race, so those are both good signs. I begin working with a sports psychologist this week, and I am really excited about the help he may bring about. I have been told by 4 coaches it may be something I need, and I can not keep ignoring it!
So the next chapter begins...Indoor 2011!
Happy New Year!
I am looking forward to my first race in nearly 2 months coming up here soon. It feels like I haven't raced in a very long time so I am eager to get to the start line. I will race the mile at the Indiana Relays on Jan 28th.
Ahh the mile, it reminds me of college, and lactic acid up to my eyes! haha! I haven't raced a mile in almost a year, despite it being my favorite distance. I am not a miler, and if you have ever seen my knee lift you would fully understand haha!
I hope to be running under 5 mins in Bloomington in 18 days. My PR of 4:54 seems unrealistic to break, but sub 5 doesn't feel impossible. Tough, but not impossible.
After the mile in Indiana, I will be racing 3k in Akron, and Kent 2 different weekends in February. I love the thought of a 3k PR, and have made that my main focus for the next 6 weeks. or so. My PR of 9:41 only makes me want to become a sub 9:30 girl more than ever. I ran that time in Indiana a year ago, and have wanted to break 9:30 ever since. I will have 2 chances, then it is time to head on up to the 5k/10k for the outdoor season.
Training is going well, and I am actually feeling pretty fit despite not really having done too much. I am healthy, and eager to race, so those are both good signs. I begin working with a sports psychologist this week, and I am really excited about the help he may bring about. I have been told by 4 coaches it may be something I need, and I can not keep ignoring it!
So the next chapter begins...Indoor 2011!
Happy New Year!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
NCAA Regional Coaches Meeting
Last night we had a coaches meet for the Great Lakes Regional Meet.
They fed us some yummy chicken, salad, pasta, cheese, olives, and cake. I opted out of the cake and pasta, but it was plenty of food, and good conversation.
I looked around the room, and man did I feel small! The room was a host of respectable coaches and former athletes. Lee Labadie, now the coach of the Akron Zips men's team, and two of his former athletes Coach Croghan (Kent State), and Coach Gary (Ohio State), both Olympic Steeplechasers, my former Coach Scott Jones, and the Coach of the Miami Red Hawks 2 time All-American (mile, 3k), and 2 time Olympic Trials 1500m qualifier, Kelly Phillips, comprised the table I sat at alone!!
It was fun to be a part of what I always wondered the meetings Coach Jones would have to go to were about.
The meeting itself was rather boring, and aside from the stuff about working to keep our sport what it is, and how we can become/need to be involved with that pretty mundane, and obvious. But being in a room full of people I have looked up to and respected for years, we could have been talking about bowling, and I would have appreciated it!
Meeting=waste of 2 hours of my life. Being in that room=priceless!
They fed us some yummy chicken, salad, pasta, cheese, olives, and cake. I opted out of the cake and pasta, but it was plenty of food, and good conversation.
I looked around the room, and man did I feel small! The room was a host of respectable coaches and former athletes. Lee Labadie, now the coach of the Akron Zips men's team, and two of his former athletes Coach Croghan (Kent State), and Coach Gary (Ohio State), both Olympic Steeplechasers, my former Coach Scott Jones, and the Coach of the Miami Red Hawks 2 time All-American (mile, 3k), and 2 time Olympic Trials 1500m qualifier, Kelly Phillips, comprised the table I sat at alone!!
It was fun to be a part of what I always wondered the meetings Coach Jones would have to go to were about.
The meeting itself was rather boring, and aside from the stuff about working to keep our sport what it is, and how we can become/need to be involved with that pretty mundane, and obvious. But being in a room full of people I have looked up to and respected for years, we could have been talking about bowling, and I would have appreciated it!
Meeting=waste of 2 hours of my life. Being in that room=priceless!
Friday, November 12, 2010
let the countdown begin!
24 days until I get to lace up my racing flats, harness all the anxious energy, and poise myself for 26.2 miles through the streets of Sacramento. I feel like I've come a long way since the debacle in Minneapolis/St. Paul.
After 2 weeks of really just getting in some running, and trying to find a way to get my focus on the right things to feel prepared to race again. I was able to run a new PR for 10k (as i mentioned in the previous post).
I have had some very solid, long workouts and I feel like things are going in the right direction.
I did a 20 mile workout with Jason back in September, and I mentally struggled so much that it manifested as a physical struggle in the last 8 miles or so. I struggled to hit sub 6 min pace all out. I have done a 21 mile workout running the last 10 miles at 6:20 pace without feeling like it was more than a glorified easy run. 4 days later I was able to run 22 miles progressing through the run down to a fast last 2 miles. Which I was able to run faster than during my prep for Twin Cities in 2009.
I feel very confident that I will be ready come Dec. 5th.
So today I am on my way to the NCAA regional meet with the team. I am excited to see how they will race, and eager to watch a great meet.
After raking and bagging leaves for 5-6 hours yesterday my hamstrings are pretty tight, but not too bad to run with. I ran 8 this morning, and will have another down day tomorrow.
Sunday has a 15k race and then 15k running a mile marathony, a mile easy in store.
By time we get there ill have 3 weeks til race day!
I am eager to get to the start line, and very excited for the chance to race a good marathon so soon after Twin Cities. I still have a lot of work to do, and more mental prep to get to the place I want to be, but I'm getting there. One step at a time!
After 2 weeks of really just getting in some running, and trying to find a way to get my focus on the right things to feel prepared to race again. I was able to run a new PR for 10k (as i mentioned in the previous post).
I have had some very solid, long workouts and I feel like things are going in the right direction.
I did a 20 mile workout with Jason back in September, and I mentally struggled so much that it manifested as a physical struggle in the last 8 miles or so. I struggled to hit sub 6 min pace all out. I have done a 21 mile workout running the last 10 miles at 6:20 pace without feeling like it was more than a glorified easy run. 4 days later I was able to run 22 miles progressing through the run down to a fast last 2 miles. Which I was able to run faster than during my prep for Twin Cities in 2009.
I feel very confident that I will be ready come Dec. 5th.
So today I am on my way to the NCAA regional meet with the team. I am excited to see how they will race, and eager to watch a great meet.
After raking and bagging leaves for 5-6 hours yesterday my hamstrings are pretty tight, but not too bad to run with. I ran 8 this morning, and will have another down day tomorrow.
Sunday has a 15k race and then 15k running a mile marathony, a mile easy in store.
By time we get there ill have 3 weeks til race day!
I am eager to get to the start line, and very excited for the chance to race a good marathon so soon after Twin Cities. I still have a lot of work to do, and more mental prep to get to the place I want to be, but I'm getting there. One step at a time!
Friday, October 29, 2010
peace of mind
As I drove the 3.5 hour trip home, my mind was full of excitement. I would soon get to see my Mom, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Grandparents, Niece, and possibly my sister. I had not been home in 4 months. The longest time I can ever remember. I missed the familiarity of it all. I missed just getting to chill with them. Things have changed a lot around there in the past 5 years. Ive moved away, my sister now has a 2 year old, her own home, and 4 horses (her dream), my little brother left for college, my mom and step dad no longer live together, and my best friend/cousin has moved to Arizona. One thing that has not changed is the mindset they all have about me. My family and friends have always had faith in my ability to be the person and athlete I want to be. It is fun to go home, and be reminded of that. My Poppa, and Aunt Deb probably mentioned me winning the race I would be running on Sunday 15 times before Saturday had ever dawned.
I love their belief in me.
Saturday came and went all too quickly, and next thing I know it was time to wake up and get ready to race. I met up with Carol for warm up, and we laughed and enjoyed the easy 15 mins together before it was time to really get serious. I had run this race one other time in 2006. 36:07 was my finishing time then. With the way things have been going I would be happy to improve on that. I prayed for only one thing going into the race. That I would be mentally tough, and focused from start to finish.
As we did our final strides, and got down to our race day gear, I began to feel pretty nervous. I remember asking my mom to pray for my mental toughness too, and then it was time to lay it out there. The gun went off, and we were on our way. We came through the mile in 5:15 and I was the lead woman. Shortly there after I saw a familiar figure, and gave a hello nod. R. D. Goodwright, was a runner at Youngstown State when we met as we were both running under Matt Woods one summer. He asked what my goal was and I said anything under 35 mins would be a PR. He nodded and said "lets go".
5:21 through the 2nd mile R. D. grabbed 2 waters and handed one my way. I smiled and took a swig. "Double hills, don't be fooled" he said, and I looked up, only to see a very large hill in front of me and remember from 06 that when you got around the bend, it just went up again. So I told myself the same thing we always did in college, 'just tap it out'. Soon enough we were cresting the top of the hill and making our way back down. 5:50...slow, but still leading.
We began to hit a few small rolling stretches and the pace quickened to 5:35. Then R. D. was off to help another guy he knew. I kept trying to push the pace, and R. D. slowly came back. 5:44 through 5 miles and then she blew by me. A Kenyan woman from Kentucky. I tired to go with her, and heard R. D. from 20 meters behind remind me it was worth it. So I pressed...HARD. We hit the bridge over the river heading into downtown, and despite my best effort she started to pull away. 600 meters to go my mom was there, screaming "Becki, go you can catch her". I gave it another push, only to find myself tying up pretty badly. But only 600 meters to go, I can give in now. So I pressed as hard as I could. 34:56. A new PR, and an answered prayer. I had made it the whole way feeling like I was racing, and not giving up!
I still have a long way to go to find my confidence, but this was a good step in the right direction.
26.2 miles im coming after you...one step at a time.
I love their belief in me.
Saturday came and went all too quickly, and next thing I know it was time to wake up and get ready to race. I met up with Carol for warm up, and we laughed and enjoyed the easy 15 mins together before it was time to really get serious. I had run this race one other time in 2006. 36:07 was my finishing time then. With the way things have been going I would be happy to improve on that. I prayed for only one thing going into the race. That I would be mentally tough, and focused from start to finish.
As we did our final strides, and got down to our race day gear, I began to feel pretty nervous. I remember asking my mom to pray for my mental toughness too, and then it was time to lay it out there. The gun went off, and we were on our way. We came through the mile in 5:15 and I was the lead woman. Shortly there after I saw a familiar figure, and gave a hello nod. R. D. Goodwright, was a runner at Youngstown State when we met as we were both running under Matt Woods one summer. He asked what my goal was and I said anything under 35 mins would be a PR. He nodded and said "lets go".
5:21 through the 2nd mile R. D. grabbed 2 waters and handed one my way. I smiled and took a swig. "Double hills, don't be fooled" he said, and I looked up, only to see a very large hill in front of me and remember from 06 that when you got around the bend, it just went up again. So I told myself the same thing we always did in college, 'just tap it out'. Soon enough we were cresting the top of the hill and making our way back down. 5:50...slow, but still leading.
We began to hit a few small rolling stretches and the pace quickened to 5:35. Then R. D. was off to help another guy he knew. I kept trying to push the pace, and R. D. slowly came back. 5:44 through 5 miles and then she blew by me. A Kenyan woman from Kentucky. I tired to go with her, and heard R. D. from 20 meters behind remind me it was worth it. So I pressed...HARD. We hit the bridge over the river heading into downtown, and despite my best effort she started to pull away. 600 meters to go my mom was there, screaming "Becki, go you can catch her". I gave it another push, only to find myself tying up pretty badly. But only 600 meters to go, I can give in now. So I pressed as hard as I could. 34:56. A new PR, and an answered prayer. I had made it the whole way feeling like I was racing, and not giving up!
I still have a long way to go to find my confidence, but this was a good step in the right direction.
26.2 miles im coming after you...one step at a time.
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