Welp it’s almost here… only 3 days until the Anthem Richmond Marathon.
It’s been real my friends.
18 weeks, over 380 miles, 2 pair of shoes, 7 pounds lost, countless gallons of water drank, and one girl ready to run 26.2 miles.
It’s had its ups and downs. The first half of training I struggled BIG TIME. It wasn’t until the Air Force Navy Half Marathon where I gained total confidence. Steph and I ran the whole half together at an easy 10:40 pace. I felt great the entire time. The route was scenic, flat, not too crowded, and the weather was perfect-a crisp 60 degrees. Crossing the finish line knowing that I could have gone further was an unbelievable feeling. Although, my time was the worst I have ever had, my goal was only to feel like I could go on further.
The weather was getting cooler, the runs were longer, and my pace was faster. A 12 mile run seemed normal and almost enjoyable compared to the 18 and 20 I ran. Two days after I completed the 20 mile run I got some disappointing news–Steph dropped out of the marathon. While she is still running the half, she didn’t train enough for the full and did not want to risk injury. While I understood her concerns and accepted it- I panicked! I even cried in my office lol (side note I was having a bad/exhausting/ stressful week–I got in car accident, bf’s towed car, work was terrible, I was preparing for two of my best friends weddings that week and the week after, and things were going wrong everywhere!–physically, mentally, emotionally exhausted).
All I could do was move forward. I told myself I was still going to run the full. I had made it 20 mile by myself, “what is another 10K?”. I guess I was most scared of was losing a support system throughout the 26.2 miles–aka someone to bitch and laugh with when it got realllll bad. I thought we would run the first half together…. well the course splits after mile 2– so I am going solo… solo–but I am okay with it. I didn’t think I could do it on my own but I can. I have had support all along the way anyway.
Overall, my family and friends have been really supportive and probably can’t wait until this over- so I can stop reference running or the word marathon (I really tried not to be that person and believe me I am almost tired of talking about it lol) my mother can stop worrying, and I can add that shiny medal to my collection.
In just a few days I can take down the my training chart I have stuck to the fridge, where I cross off every completed run (my roomies will prob appreciate some room on the fridge! Knowing me that will stay there along with Kristen’s wedding invite from May). While this “marathon running business” as my mom calls it, has consumed my life though I am glad I made it this far. I learned I am much busier then I thought I was, I can be very in control, I am mentally strong, I miss happy hour (I went to happy hour for the first time last week–it was enjoyable and I didn’t feel guilty at all for not running-VICTORY!), I need a hair cut… and new pants, half marathons are AWESOME, I am a bit of a crazy pants-26.2 is for the twice as crazy, I got some abs (shhhwwing), I definitely could have ate more, I have to believe in myself, and I still do like running and will continue. I don’t know about another marathon in the near future, but I am ready for my first.
READY…SET….(to be continued).
20 something on the run 