BGC Parking Lot
April 10, 2011 @ 4:00 am
An hour before the race, I’m sitting here in the parking lot, chilling out and setting my intention for this run.
I had no practice again. You could tell I haven’t touched my running shoes since my last race. How would you know? My old DTAG was still attached to my right shoe when I wore it awhile ago.
So I’m taking it easy again. Will just enjoy the race and finish strong.
Right now, it doesn’t matter if I’m fast along the course, what matters is I cross the finish line running.
The yellow bib
I’ll take pictures after the race when my face looks vibrant. Vanity prevents me from doing so now because I feel bloated and sluggish.
Blame it on the humongous plate of pasta I devoured last night for dinner. Plus, days of eating rice and fried foods.
Yeah, common sense is knocking: Listen to your body. Get a move on and eat healthy.
That’s why I promise, I resolve that I am taking my health seriously. Starting right now.
The race
I went to the assembly area half confident. My stomach was feeling heavy and it didn’t help that the energy drink I had with me was carbonated.
I braced myself for the long run, and tried to squeeze a few stretches and high knees amid the crowd.
When the gun start fired, I started calm and strong. I let all the others run past me and fought the urge to run faster.
Relax. Enjoy. Breathe.
Around the fifth kilometer, I was starting to feel exhausted. I needed to focus on something else to take my mind away from it.
I thought of looking for guide posts, markers that I could use to focus on my progress. I imagined the electrical poles, lamp posts, trees, stoplights and footbridges were finish lines that I crossed again and again.
I tried to avoid looking at the road ahead. I just kept looking up and up. I kept going and going.
And before I knew it, I could see the arc with the big bold letters: FINISH.
A burst of adrenaline shot through me. I used all the energy I could muster to speed up and run past everyone else.
Before I crossed the finish line, I glanced up the timer: one hour and twenty.
Ah, sweet, sweet victory.
Took this photo minutes after I crossed the finish line.
Despite severe lack of sleep and practice, Kernan made it to the finish line. Though he didn’t get a new PR, I’m proud of how he triumphed over his body to finish the race still running.
He was in pain as we made our way to the parking lot, but no cramp was gonna spoil our moment.
We’re both winners.
Winners!
When I achieve a sub 60 for my 10k, I’m going to aim for a 21k to push my limits again. Oh yeah, it would be nice to get some of those medals too.
That’s Kernan’s medal and that’s me visualizing.
Visualizing my 21k medal.
Tomorrow, I will go running.
I’m Jayme, a runner’s wife and a running mom to two girls aged three and two.
Cool! My next run is this weekend… Miles for Smiles at the Fort....