Some days are your day, and others are not. This is a tale of the later. While yes, I did win, I felt like garbage the entire race. I’m proud of myself for not giving up and just fighting through. The week prior I raced both a 5k and the Shamrock Half. The half went ideally, and the next couple of runs in the beginning of the week did too.
Towards the end of the week, the previous weekend caught up with me. My legs felt tired. It was a case of super delayed DOMS. I had wanted to get a deep tissue massage early in the week to recover, but the snowstorm closed everything and then my schedule didn’t work out.
So with that, I got to the race around 8, warmed up, and went back to my car. At my car, I realized I forgot my racing flats. I had a pair of Nike Fly which I’ve done many workouts in. I decided I preferred to run in those over my Brooks Glycerin trainers. One of my big mantras is “it’s just running” and not having my racing flats stunk but it was my fault. I had to make the best of the situation.
I made it to the start at 8:55 and we were off at 9. During the first mile, I found myself as the first woman but felt awful. My legs felt like they had cinderblocks on them. I hit the first mile in 6:03 and knew it was going to be a long 2 miles.
The next mile went around the Navy yard. It was windy, but I knew the last mile would be the windiest. During the second mile, we got water from the local Navy and Army servicemen which I always find to be awesome. I hit the second mile in 6:03. I was running the entire race alone and it felt like a workout. I was wearing my workout shoes and running alone into a headwind. I didn’t have the mindset to “run fast”, and my legs were exhausted.
During the last mile we went up a small hill and back towards the start. We crossed paths with runners going the opposite direction. Seeing familiar faces always motivates me, so I felt some energy. We headed into the headwind and I desperately just wanted to be done but also did want to be passed.
I rounded the parking lot and saw the finish line ahead. I powered through and crossed in 19:07. I wasn’t thrilled by the time but some days you have it, and some days you don’t. I gave it my all for the day, and my all was a 19:07.
I did win a baseball bat signed by Gabe Kapler which is cool.
After yesterday’s hike, this week is about recovering and seeing where I’m at at the end of the week. I don’t want to end up in the same situation I was in last year at Atlantic City so I know I need to pay better attention to myself and balancing life, volunteering, work, and lastly running.
Questions for you:
Are you a baseball fan?
Have you ever forgotten anything to a race?
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