It's been a while since I posted (a month!) and we are well into our training by now. It is funny - each marathon that I run have been drastically different -- from the mental and the physical standpoint. The first one that I ran, I relied on others to get me through mentally and physically. The second one, I was stronger and more independent, both as a runner and as a person. Now with this one, I am kind of like Nike -- Just doing it. I haven't let it take over my life and when it comes to the training, it is just another day that I have to workout. I haven't really taken much time to think about what's ahead each week and this past weekend was the first time that I actually thought to myself about the race -- and that is most likely because I was in San Francisco!
To catch up - I am about 2 months in to this program. Kris and I have had some great runs -- we have kicked Fletcher's ass a few times, gone around the capital (boooring) and run in a few different places -- and the great thing is, with each one, I am feeling stronger. I think the difference this time is that I am NOT solely focusing on running. I am working with an amazing trainer at South Arlington who is pushing me to my limits each time (HUGE Shout out to Kevin!) and he is not focusing on the marathon - he is just focusing on making me a "bad ass". I am really feeling stronger, not only when I run, but all the time. My arms are stronger, my core is stronger and I am just feeling better overall.
From a mental standpoint I had a huge breakthrough two weeks ago. We were doing 12 miles, starting from Hanes Point, running to Fletchers and then back (we ended up running the opposite as everyone else because we had to leave from the water stop). The run itself went great - it was a beautiful day and both Kris and I felt very strong. At the end of the run, we had to go out 3/4 of a mile and back on a very flat and lonely portion of Hanes Point / Ohio Drive to complete the mileage. At this point, the sun was high and hot and there really wasn't anyone out there. It would have been very easy for us to just stop, but we both agreed that we needed to complete the run.
Now, one of the things that Kristina, Kristin and Charlie have all said to me is that they want to get "cycle sam" out while running. When I am teaching, it is easy to motivate others and to believe in others. When it comes to running, I have never been able to believe in myself and to push myself the way I can in the classroom. Kristin and Kristina both have said that if we can translate THAT part of me into my runs, it will make a huge difference, but I just have never been able to do that.
So during that first 3/4 mile stretch, I can honestly say it was one of the longest and hardest runs I have ever done. I was hot, tired and just mentally ready to quit - but instead of thinking to myself, not necessarily to fail, but more so with the thought that I suck at this and why on earth do I do this crap, I started to think to myself, "You CAN do this. This is nothing. Hold on - you can do this." -- and I pushed myself through. I was able to make the switch in my thoughts to believe in myself - and it was a big deal to me. It may sound silly, but being stronger on a mental level and thinking back to where I was last year at this time is a big accomplishment! :)
Anyway - back to the running - this past weekend I had a very special training run -- Kristina and I were able to get 11 miles of the San Fran marathon route under our belts. I met Kris out in SF on Thursday night and we spent the weekend in the city, checking out the sights (the food!) and the route. Friday morning we did a 3 mile run by the bay bridge and past the stadium and then on Saturday we hammered out just under 8 miles around the Golden Gate bridge portion of the route.
This was HANDS DOWN the most beautiful run I have ever been on. The weather was PERFECT, and there was just a little fog that was lifting as we began the run, making the bridge look incredible. I debated on bringing my camera, but I stupidly decided not to because I didn't want to carry it for that long - -and now I am regretting it.
I remember as we were running right below the bridge of how incredibly lucky I am to have this type of opportunity - not just this past weekend, but also with everything that TNT has done. I know I've bitched a lot this season about the responsibilities that I've undertaken, but it is that memory in my head of the absolute beauty that I got to see -- and see it on foot, feeling strong, and enjoying myself -- made it worth every bagel I've picked up. Although not every training will feel this good or be this pretty, I must remember how far I've come since I started this running thing two years ago, and how much further I am going to go.
Running isn't easy - but I am finally seeing a change. I am not sure if it is the additional training (I think that has a big thing to do with it) or if it is that I am just being a little more relaxed about the whole thing (it is not taking over my life)... but something is finally starting to give - and it feels pretty good.
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