After running my first ½ marathon in the fall of 2009, naturally the next step is to sign up for the Richmond Marathon. I thought long and hard about this decision, over a year actually, and my mind was made up, this is the year I’m committing to running my first full marathon.
I’m not an easily discouraged individual, so once I set my mind to do something, I do it wholeheartedly.
Up to this point in my the training, I’ve met each early morning 95% humidity run, each blister on my foot, each chaffed arm, and most recently a 13 mile run in a hurricane with a smile on my face. I have tried hard not to let any factors outside of my control ruin this experience for me.
Until the other day…
I set out to do my eight miles, as the training manual says to do, with no less enthusiasm than usual. Except its 11:30 (I usually run at 5:30), and I didn’t sleep very good last night (no power=no a/c), and it’s really…well, hot. No big deal, I’ve run in hot, humid weather all summer – let’s go.Mile one…ugh….ok, this is just warming up, getting in my groove…
Mile two…am I warmed up or just plain hot..I can do this…one foot in front of the other…
Mile three…hydration beverage nearing empty (as am I)…
Mile four…practice the “mental training” I just read about…picture yourself at the end of your run…Ack….I see myself passed out in my front yard from heat….ok, that didn’t work…
Mile five…IF I can make it over this hill….I could turn left to head home…6 is pretty close…but wait…what is that…kids...cooler…stand…(birds singing, bells ringing) it’s a lemonade/water stand!!! 50¢ for a bottle? Here’s a dollar, keep the change! Thank you lemonade stand girls!!!
As I turned right to complete my 8, I smiled up at the bright sun in the beautiful blue sky and pictured myself finishing strong. You thought you had me heat, but not today…
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