Blazier Run

I’m not exactly sure where to start.  It’s been quite the roller coaster weekend but I’m not complaining because without the dips we’d forget to appreciate the high moments in life.

And speaking of high moments, I ended up registering for that race I was talking about on Sunday, though I didn’t end up running there AND back like I was thinking about doing at one point. I think it was a good move because Mexican food isn’t exactly the ideal pre-race meal, while delicious, not really your best option and I woke up Sunday morning not feeling my greatest.  I decided I was going to still run the race but would drive myself there and since I was going to be tight on time to shower before we celebrated my great uncles 95th birthday at our house, it was probably best anyway.

I got to the race a little after 7, registered, grabbed my bib and walked and jogged up and down the street to stay warm and get my body warmed up.  I think that ended up being huge for my overall race.

We started off fast and I was feeling like I needed to slow down but it was hard in the beginning and I found myself battling my mentality that I couldn’t slow down or I’d basically be walking, I was sure we couldn’t have actually been going that fast.  I think we were because after slowing down, I was still maintaining just over a 9 minute mile.

There were moments the run was tough but I kept reminding myself it was only 3 miles and really it was almost over, so I kept pushing.  I’m not sure at what point I realized I was in a good place but maybe it was as I looked ahead and felt like there weren’t THAT many people in front of me.  It wasn’t a big race, but regardless, I felt like I was in a good place.  I pushed what energy I had left and just ran my heart out through that finish line.  I grabbed a water, took a sip and stopped my Nike+ app.  It was at that point that I had this desire to stay for the awards.

We watched the remaining runners and walkers come in and watched the kids sprint and headed inside the theatre for awards.  I sat down and figured it wouldn’t be a big deal if I didn’t place but if I did, I’d want to witness that moment.  And lucky enough, I did get to witness the moment they called my name for finishing 2nd in my age group.

I’m not a super fast runner and that’s okay.  There will be few times in my life when I can say I placed in a race and that’s also okay.  But when those moments happen, or if this ends up being the only one, I will embrace them and appreciate them with every ounce of my being.  What a marvelous thing.

And because it’s Monday and no Monday would be complete to me without sharing some new music, I’ve got some good stuff for you guys today.  A few weeks ago my friend Lauren shared this band on her blog and I loved it! Lauren and I definitely share similar tastes in music which is just one reason we get along so well. 🙂

So good, right?!

How was your weekend?

Any runners out there crush their races?