I will admit I'm a little behind in my training for the Glass City Marathon (coming up in April!). My training plans usually involve on my own training, plus a a few races. Races are a good way to tune up and figure out what to wear, nutrition, how early to get there, etc.
Yesterday, I went for a shortish run with a friend. Both of us are signed up for Glass City, and neither of us has been running like we should. I managed 5.5 miles. Unfortunately, she had to work and was unable to attend the Great Scott 25K run/race today.
The Great Scott 25K is put on by Toledo Roadrunners It's not so much a race as an organized run. The course is at Oak Openings. You can choose one time around, which is 7.7 miles, or two loops, which is 25K. Even though you sign up for either distance, you are free to either run the second loop if you feeling really good, or stop after one time around, even if you signed up for two. That can be good or bad!
I made a few mistakes before and during this race (remember, the purpose of these races is to learn!).
First of all, I should not have run 5.5 miles yesterday (and I also went on the elliptical last night . . .).
Secondly, I found a great runner to talk to during the first time around. That's good - it made that first loop go quickly! But, she was doing only one time around (her longest distance to date) and was younger and faster. She was doing intervals, too, but she was doing 90 second run/30 second walk, while I do 90 second run/45 second walk. But we were having such an interesting conversation that I wanted to stay with her. So, even though I KNOW the 90 second run/45 second walk works best for me, I ran with her the entire first loop.
We got to the end of the first time around, and I was feeling sore and tired. I debated ending there and being satisfied with 7.7 miles. This is where running has made me stronger mentally I believe (and running is at least 90% mental). The debate with myself lasted about 30 seconds, and then I decided I would at least START the second loop. I knew there was a turn about a mile after the start, and I could always turn back. I got to that point, and told myself I would try a little further. There is another point where the course crosses on itself - if you go to the right, it's about 3 miles back to that crossing point. I got to that point and the decision was to either turn right and go the distance, or turn left and end up with about 12 miles (still a decent run). I turned right! I have learned to persevere through running.
At this point, I thought I was the last person in the race - I didn't see anyone ahead of me nor behind me. Finally I came upon another runner. I don't mind being last (a few years ago at this very same race, I tried to be last. Another runner and Ikept slowing down because we each wanted to be last!). It turns out there were actually 3 people behind me - the others were so far back I couldn't see them.
I was struggling a bit and walked through a few of my running intervals. Finally, I could see the finish line! It seems like it took a long time to get there, though, once I saw it.
I ended up finishing the 25K! I was (and still am) very sore and tired, but I made it. And, for signing up (it was only $10), I got a nice, new, soft sweatshirt.
My running motto has always been "no excuses". Maybe it should be "perseverance"!
Gotta run/No Excuses
Also, I have an instagram account - it's mostly my animals, but I post running/race pictures there sometimes: https://www.instagram.com/catdrich/
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