Success - now what??

Ah, the day after race day! It is all over, and I lived through it. Not even just lived through it, but thrived through it, I guess I could say.

 I didn't run a 2.46, but that was to be expected in the end. I didn't even run a 2.55. But I did run a 2.57.13, and I am proud of that. It was a great race, a great day for it, and I did what I set out to do, which was to run smart, stay in the race mentally through the entire race, and run as well as I possibly could. I feel like that is victory.

I think the mental prep work I put in helped (even the cheesy movie watching!) - I really did well telling myself numerous times on route: 'Don't worry about what happens in 10k', 'Focus on this mile only', 'Don't fret about the clock', 'No excuses, do the job' (that one came from Rudy!). I was pleased that I was able to stay in the game and stay positive. And for the most part, it worked really well - I was really enjoying the running for the first 2+ hours! It was hard work, but I really was liking it. The last 8k got hard though - I was on pace to finish in 2.54 range until about then, and I think that was mostly glycogen storage and lactade build up that forced me to slow down, since I didn't feel horrendous otherwise (I didn't feel great, either, to be fair).
But I stuck it out, despite slower pace for the last bit, and some of that is stuff that can be worked on, I am sure. I ended up 18th woman overall, from what I can tell, and 409 overall of about 9200 people, so that is pleasing! People seemed happy for me, and DC did as well :) I am glad it is over, for now....

But I know I am going to get antsy. For a while there I was thinking about taking some time to get back into enjoying running - not that I haven't been, but just to take it down a notch and just have fun with it for a bit. I am not sure though....part of me is thinking that this time, after I get home, is pretty much the perfect time to take it UP a notch instead! I won't have a job, will have plenty of time, and can really work on the aspects that I consistently slack on a bit - the S&C and the nutritional side of things. I will have to talk to DC to see what he thinks, but part of me wants to keep up the hard work and keep pushing - I know I can be even faster now, so want to keep the momentum. We will see. Overall, I am positive though, for sure - it feels good to have succeeded and have a new PB under my belt after what feels like a very long time!

I AMsterdam!

On the eve of battle

Well the day has come. All the hard work had been done and foundation has been completed. The resting period that has been excruciating this week continues through the night, and tomorrow comes the day I have been waiting for.

After all of this, and the mental preparation, I am excited to see how it turns out. I feel like I have worked hard, put in many hours of training and sacrificed for it, to some degree. The goal has changed over time, as aspects of my life meant that the training didn't all happen as was hoped, and the ambitious goal I had set for this race has become unattainable save a miracle. I am okay with that, though - life happens and things can't always follow the path we want them too, especially one set so many months ago.

I am ready, though. I know that a PB is in my legs and in my heart. I know I can do it. I have been working on my mental focus especially these last couple weeks, and I think I am in a good place. Whle there have been niggles in these last few days, I think they are mostly in my head and pent up energy and anxiety. I know I can do it.

And though I travelled to Amsterdam by myself, will cross the start and finish lines by myself, and will travel back to London by myself, I am in no way alone. My loved ones are all with me, cheering me on and willing me forward. My dad is closer than normal, having made a great trip across the States all on his own to see his son and brothers. Just the amazing fact at he is able to do that, in body and mind, considering the state he was in ten short months ago is all the miracle I could ask for about now. And he is rooting for me, hoping that iwill have a great race and most importantly, have fun. I intend to do this - if it isn't fun at the end of the day, why do it?

So now I sit, on the eve of the big race, ready to run. Run like the Wind.

T-minus six days to Kick Ass Time

Well, I haven't blogged in two months. Most of the time it has slipped my mind as there seems to be enough to be getting on with these days! But it is T-minus less than 1 week until race day, so have been trying to focus, on focusing.

The runs have been going well with the odd niggle freaking me out a bit. Calves have struggled, super tight most of the time, but some heat and ice seemed to help them out this week. Some strange groin pain going on after yesterday's run. I am sure they will run themselves out on the long race day.

I am nervous, but excited too. It became apparent that the 2.46 was a bit too lofty of a goal for my training regime, so that has gotten put aside. So I don't have a set time to shoot for now, which is a bit liberating. Sub-3 should definitely be in the realm of possibility, and I hope that it will be greatly below that. I am anxious, but hope that the hard work will do me well.

I have been spending the recent evenings watching inspirational sport movies. They are pretty good - Remember the Titans, Miracle, Hoosiers, Coach Carter. The running films are few and far between, as are those about individual sports. But they are about heart, adversity, and perseverance, and they make me feel good. Now is GI Jane - head shaving scene. I know it isn't a sport movie, but she is kick ass and puts up with some tough shit. All I have to put up with is less than 3 hours of pain. I can do that.

I want to enjoy it, the best that I can. I hope that I can enjoy it, and run well.