Another 5k under my belt

I don't think I've taken the chance to brag on my husband about his recent accomplishment.  Dale was never a distance runner and never ran a Cross Country race.  In high school he never had the opportunity to.  In college it was all football and track.  After school he continued to stay in shape and get out and run.  He knows the importance of it and he knows how much distance running, or any type of exercise, can benefit your body.

Cross Country isn't offered at the school he teaches at.  He's mentioned trying to get it there the last few years, but football always got in the way and he couldn't gain much support around it.  This year things have turned.  He proposed the program, got the support, presented it to the school board meeting, and got it passed the same night as he gave his speech.  Pretty amazing.  I'm so proud of him for stepping out there and bringing a new dimension into the school district. 

Also so exciting for me as I not only get to continue my training, but I get to cheer these new athletes on as well.  I plan to be at every meet I can make it to. 

Last Thursday he invited me to work out with them.  I was excited to accept and would get to run in a location I haven't before, which was a mile trail in complete woods.  The terrain was rugged but so awesome to be out there.  Not too long after we walked the warm up to make sure the course was as clear as possible from hazards I noticed I was getting attacked by tiny ticks.  All up and down my legs.  Even some on my arms.  It still makes me itch. 

The hazards of cross country training...

Saturday I woke up not as nervous as times passed for my 3rd 5k.  I was alone for this one.  I knew not a soul.  Their were some friendly dogs and some not so friendly dogs, and a lot of dodging poo on the course as this was a Race to the Rescue.

There was a girl there that ran the last 5k I ran.  I knew her pace so my plan was to tuck in behind her and allow her to push me to the time I wanted.  My whole goal when I started this insanity was to run 24's.  I would be happy with that and that would place me in the top part of the pack in most races. 

I got to 25 during my last Saturday run when it was just a race between me and my head.  So, I thought there was a good likelihood I would get there sooner than later. 

As we hit the mile mark Saturday my app didn't speak up right away and tell me my pace.  Pretty soon down the road it spoke up and the dude had the nerve to tell me I was running a 9 minute mile pace.  I felt like falling to the ground in a ball of tears hitting the pavement repeatedly like that USA girl who got tripped up in the Olympic 5k.  I felt a little slow, but not quite that slow.  I just pushed on even though I wanted to quit once again. 

Usually I run for someone, or run with them in mind and have them inspire me while I feel like throwing in the towel.  I use them to pull me through.  To find my strength and dig into the deepest part of my heart.  Just in the past two weeks we learned of a woman who was just diagnosed with Leukemia (AML).  I worked with her, she did my make up for my wedding and she is a distant cousin by marriage to Dale.  She means a lot to me and I have always admired her smile and her attitude.  She is the kind of person you just connect with and can trust with pieces of your heart.  I ran with Susan on my mind.  When I wanted to quit I thought of her and the trials she is about to face and is currently facing.  I ran to find the strength in hopes that maybe she will find it in herself to dig down deep and reach new levels of herself when all of this makes her want to quit. 

She pulled me through.  With about 1/2 a mile left I felt tired.  I wanted to kick when I didn't have it in me to kick.  The girls I was drafting kicked and I wanted to stay close.  I asked myself where my heart was and I picked my knees up just a little bit higher. 

I ran my best 5k yet (post college).  That 9 minute mile pace was actually 7.5 min mile pace.  I wanted to stay at 7:45 or 8.  Crossing that line and seeing 23 minutes on my phone was such an awesome feeling. 

I'm not going to say never doubt yourself.  Doubt yourself and use it as fuel to prove yourself wrong.  Allow yourself to go to levels you never thought you'd go.

At the end I felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness.  I'm not sure why.  All day I felt alone even when I got back to the house and I was surrounded by little bodies.  I was exhausted.  I pushed myself to the training I had put in and it wiped me out.  I was waiting for that runner's high and the overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but Saturday I didn't feel it.  It most likely has to do with being so up and down and I'm. Still. Completely. Sick. Of. That. Feeling! 

I'm still excited for the next one and I am proud of pushing myself to new levels. 

Susan, when you are feeling alone and want to give up, I hope you know that there are so many people out there thinking about you and praying for your strength.  We are squeezing your hand along the way.