{Race Review}
Pre-race. Keepin warm wearing my Oiselle layers! |
The week leading up the race I was nervous. I hadn’t been training like I wanted to be, I hadn’t even put many miles in the weeks prior, and the weather was supposed to be cold. Freezing cold.
I didn’t have high expectations of how I’d do. I didn’t even
wear my Garmin to track my pace.
I just wanted to run and to finish with a decent time. The morning turned out to be
sunny. And cold. Lost feeling of my toes, cold. But there was sunshine. Praise the Lord for sunshine!
At the starting line, as the gun went off, I tried not to
start too fast. I have a
tendency, because of the race adrenaline, to move out faster than I should.
I said to myself, ‘Strong and Steady.’
Often, when running, I say various mantras in my head to
motivate me and keep the momentum going.
This race was no different.
I needed the help. I wasn’t
feeling strong.
‘Strong and Steady.’
I told myself.
However, hearing the heavy footsteps of the guy behind me
kept me moving. When I race, my competitive
side does tend to come out. I was
not going to let that guy pass me!
‘Because I can.’
‘Strong and Steady.’
‘Strong and Steady.’
‘Home stretch, baby!’
As I rounded one last turn on the course, before heading to the finish.
The sound of pounding footsteps behind me kept my feet from
slowing down. The mantras kept my
mind focused on the race and not on my numb fingers and toes.
Then, I heard three words that were the most motivating of
all, “Go Mommy Go!”
Those three words drowned out the sound of my heavy breathing and the
footsteps behind me.
These three words were a boost of motivation, the motivation
I needed to run a little faster.
Then three more words ran through my head, ‘Make him proud.’
I finished strong. I finished 2nd overall {female}.
Going into the race, I didn’t have high expectations for my
time, but I ran faster than I expected I would. I felt stronger than I expected I would. And, I proved to myself, yet again,
that I am capable of more than I think I am.
‘Go Mommy Go!’
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