Every fall I pick out some kind of running challenge for
myself. In the past it’s been 50 miles
on the roads of Door County, or multiple trail runs, or some mix of both. I tend to get my best training in during the
summer months, and then September and October weather provides a great
opportunity to run a big event, before it gets too cold, or the kids’ school
and sports schedule gets too hectic.
This fall it was a back-to-back challenge of the Lakefront
Marathon on Sunday, October 2nd, and then the Glacial Trail 50k on
Sunday, October 9th. Two very
different courses, within a week. It
challenged my mindset and my body, and my training for the summer months right
up in to October.
Going to the the marathon, I was hoping to get a “Boston
Qualifier” time, meaning that I ran a specific time for my age that would allow
me to apply for the Boston Marathon. In
my case, it’s 3 hours and 10 minutes. I
was confident that I could do that, and I was right on pace until the
proverbial ‘Wall’ which I abruptly hit at about Mile 23. I lost about 30 seconds per mile in my pace,
falling behind the 3:10 pacer, and finishing in 3 hours and … eleven
minutes.
There was a time in my life when this would have been
devastating to me. However, at the age
and life experience I am now, I was able to simply accept it, and understand
that I did as good as I could on this particular day. My body did it’s best, my brain did it’s part
(despite, in that last 3 miles, there was a lot of “SHUT UP LEGS” repeats going
on as my tired legs were asking my brain to simply walk), and I was content
with a 3:11. I even posed for a photo
with Tyler, the 3:10 pacer, who did his darndest to get me to the finish in
3:10. Sorry, Tyler!
On to this past weekend, where I ran the Glacial Trail run
for the 10th time. I again
had high hopes and expectations for myself, and was excited to begin the run on
Sunday under an incredible sunrise and beautiful fall temperatures. In my 10 years of running this race, I think
this year featured the prettiest fall colors of any of them.
I got to the turn around point of the run (Mile 15.5) in 2
hours and 15 minutes…which at first I was disappointed in. I thought I was in better shape and I thought
I was faster than that. I quickly turned
that mindset around, though. You know
what? I ran a cool and collected first
half. My body and my stomach felt good. Now I get to return to the finish, and see my
kids and family and enjoy the scenery!
It’s all about mindset.
Something in life or in any event can be the worst possible thing to
ever happen to you, or it can be the best thing for you in that moment. It’s up to you.
I finished Glacial Trail in 4 hours and 40 minutes. It was far from my fastest time at this
event, but I’m not sure I’ve had a more joyous smile at the finish as I did
this year. And running the last mile
with my kids was a memory I will not soon forget.
Keep in mind your mindset.
What happens in life is far less important than how your respond to
it. In my case, that old and slow body
finishing in 4 hours and 40 minutes actually earned me 1st place
overall. Not a bad consolation!
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