Inspiring stories from the run

During the JFK 20k there were a few moments that gave me that extra bump that pushed me forward.

First, as we headed out for our run, the 5k runners lined the path and cheered us all on. It’s always surprising how much some encouraging words can really make a difference. There are many times that a cheer heard during a race --- even the generic “let’s go runners!” --- can really charge me up to just keep going.

Toward the halfway mark, I saw a co-worker running along. What’s telling about her story is that she has been working hard to achieve a qualifying time for the SunTrust half-marathon. She has been going out regularly for the last few months running races of all distances to get that allusive qualifying time. Her persistence after so many times “just missing” the cut-off is inspiring. So many of us would just give up, but she just keeps putting herself out there and tries. I cheered her on as we passed one another and I am crossing my fingers that she was able to finish with a qualifying time.

Finally, I was again inspired to see a blind runner and her guide racing. It is truly incredible. The blind runner wears a yellow vest announcing to the rest of the field that she is blind. Her guide runs at her side with a tether, each holding an end in their hand. They were kicking ass on the trail. Go Runner Go!

Overachiever or Just Plain Stupid

Today, as part of our half-marathon training, we were scheduled to run the JFK 20k out of Georgetown on the C&O Canal. I really have come to hate the C&O canal path. Though the mileage was 12.4, we were only supposed to use this as a training run and just run 10 miles. Check out the route below. It was an up-and-back. We ran out to Bethesda and then turned around and headed back to DC. I had no idea going into the run that on the way out you run a consistent 3-4 grade incline. Who knew?



As I got to the 5 mile turnaround point marked for our training group, I decided to go a little further...and then a little further...and then this dude said the turnaround was just over this ridge. I decided to just go for it since I was so close. Unfortunately his idea of just over the ridge was MUCH different from mine. Let me tell you ---- there is a BIG difference between 10 miles and 12.4 miles. I ended up walking for a minute at the 10 mile mark and again at the 11 mile mark. I was tired and a bit lonely. Since so many folks used the race as a 10 mile training run and turned around early, I was in an area between the faster runners and the stragglers. Being by yourself really sucks and even more so if you don’t have an iPod.

I am glad that I was able to get my miles in and feel more confident going into the Miami half-marathon. I also was able to use my new Garmin and start to get used to using it efficiently. I loaded the data and started reviewing it this afternoon. It’s so cool to see your splits, the elevation and overlapping your heart rate on top of these figures. Fascinating.

Overall, I was not pleased by my time or endurance today, but I have to keep reminding myself that this was not a race. I didn’t run it as a race. There was no strategy. The goal was just to stress my feet and muscles to get used to the distance.

I’ll start tapering tomorrow as I get ready for the warmer weather and flat course in Miami. Here’s to hoping that I am able to improve my half-marathon time.