What a day. Yesterdays race couldn't have gone any better! It was a beautiful day, perfect running weather!
I finished with a time of 1:39:57. It was 13.1 miles, so that averages out to about a 7:38 min/mile pace! Dang, that is exactly the pace I want for my Marathon in June. The race was not difficult overall, and I don't ever remember I time that I wanted to stop running. There was a point though that I told myself that I needed to pick it up.
It was really a great race. Often I got distracted looking for familiar faces in the crowd. I saw many out there coming to cheer me on. I was very thankful for there support (Mrs. Carney, Ryan, Pops-camera man extraordinaire, Jill, Reagan and Griffin) and shouts of encouragement. (a.k.a Stephanie Nicolet.)
I guess I ended up placing. I tied for second in the age group females under 20. I was 39 seconds away from the leader. What a race.
There were two favorite moments of this race.
The first one came at around mile 8. I started across a bridge and was in the process of passing this guy. I was feeling pretty good. I had less then half to go, and I was tearing away at the miles. I couldn't say the same for my fellow runner. On the outside you couldn't tell the anguish he was going through in his mind. I was clueless and I started past him, with a slight spring in my step. He spoke up and then I became aware of his distress. This was his first 1/2 Marathon and he was struggling. I slowed my pace a bit so I could talk to him. He said it was so hard to keep up this pace and that he was so frustrated. Knowing the feeling, I searched for something that might help this weary runner. Then I remembered our goal. It was the finish line.
I reminded him of the finish line and told him that just crossing that line was all he needed to do. I also congratulated him on the running of his first half. I told him my first half was probably the hardest one I had ever done. He seemed to understand as I heard him say out loud to himself that the finish line in itself was the reward. I told him he was going to make it. I told him that he was looking good and that he would finish strong.
Then he said something to me that I will not forget. He thanked me for talking to him. Wow. I then thanked God for helping me to slow down and see this struggling soul. I thanked him for the opportunity to "help a brother out." It was an opportunity I almost missed. When this man first spoke up, I was more concerned about my own pace and I almost didn't slow down. I wanted to keep going and keep my pace up so I would finish with a good time. But when I heard the hurting in his voice, I knew my pace didn't matter. I needed to help. So I did.
Last thing I did was ask his name. It was Brian. I said, "Good Luck Brian!" I gave him a smile and I was on my way again. It is funny, the first thing I thought about after I crossed the finish line myself was, where's Brian? I wanted to see him finish. I quickly got out of the finishers area and took off to watch the runners come in. I looked and looked, but I never saw him come in. I wish I could have congratulate him on his finish, but I never saw him.
The second moment came after I finally caught up to Mr. Carney. Ryan's Dad is an excellent runner and ran such a good race on Saturday. I first encountered him at about the second mile as he passed me going up a hill. I was baffled, and extremely happy for him at that same time. I knew he was running at a great pace.
He quickly disappeared into the crowd of runners ahead of me and I didn't see him again until mile 12. We were on the back side of the race and the finish was near. I saw that white shirt up ahead and to myself I said, "I need to catch him." This quickened my own pace. Each step brought me closer. Finally I was right there next to him, with only a mile left. My plan was to catch him and stay with him to finish off the race.
Seeing the potential in me Mr. Carney gave me a push.
"Finish it out."
He knew that I still had a little more left in me and encouraged me to reach for it. He gave me permission to be all that I could be. I don't think I said anything, I just pushed on by. I actually wanted to cry, but running and breathing was work enough. If I started to cry I don't think I could have recovered. So I sucked it up and raced to the finish.
I was able to come in just under my goal of 1:40:00.
Thank you for your encouragement Mr. Carney. It really meant a lot to me. Congratulations on such a great run!! You rock! 🙂
It is just me, doing my thing. I am here to help where I can as I push on towards the finish line.
I love this guy. He always believes in me. And he makes me laugh so hard that I snort. 🙂
My Mom said to me after the race. "While I was out there running, I was coming to the end and I tired to pick my favorite mile. Then I thought to myself, any mile I run with my Paige, that's my favorite mile." 🙂 I love my Mom. I am so proud of her, she ran so well on Saturday. I wouldn't be the women I am today if it weren't for her. Thank you Mom, you are the best.
