13.1 Miles of Personal Reflection

I followed my usual tendency of being a chronic supporter to friends who want to attack a big audacious goal, hopped on the website and registered and said to her, “no time to think about it…go register right now and you had better be the next number after mine.”

Sometime about December I thought I should start running – see I had made a huge mistake when I previously entered my last ½ – I didn’t train – I was in pretty good shape – and had a pretty cavalier attitude – after all, I was only “walking” 13.1 miles – how hard can that be? 

As it turns out, it was really damn hard.  Add to that it snowed that November morning – and I don’t think I moved for a week.  I was 36 and arrogant.

I said that was my last ½ marathon and I meant it.

I love being active – I love hiking – I love taking long walks – but I have never been a strong swimmer or runner.  I never felt comfortable with my running style, feeling more like a Clydesdale than a gazelle – when people would ask me if I ran, I would reply “only if being chased – and if he’s cute….not real fast.” 

Though this time I did want to do it – I wanted to finish and do well.  So I started to run.  I couldn’t even run one mile the first week between Christmas and New Year’s.  Over time though, one mile became two – then three and so on.

At the end of my first 5 mile run – I began to get a pain in my foot that never seemed to go away no matter how much ice and elevation – it turns out to be tendonitis. 

Now, I don’t know about you but I am now less inclined to run injured – so I give it time to heal.  And start running again – and the foot starts hurting again.  So I blow it off – keep walking which I enjoy and figure – I’ll run what I can and walk the rest – but at least I’ll finish.

Me and The Betsys on our way!

Oh, did I mention that all of my in-laws were flying into town; many to run this deal too – with goals like – run the ½ in less than 2 hours and for two others to finish in less than two hours and 15 minutes? 

Mile 5 and 6 have me talking to myself about doing more than “just finishing”– looking at total time – my minute per mile time and calculating if there’s a shot at finishing in 3 hours as I had boldly stated the night before. 

Is your technique as good as it could be?

At mile 7 I have a sharp pain enter my hip……never had that happen before and begin to wonder if I should stop and stretch and then begin thinking of all the other things that will start to happen if I stop to stretch …. and just then I hear two women talking as I come up on them about how one is having hip pain – and the other shares that when that happens for her she focuses on tightening her stomach muscles and it releases the pain….I give it a whirl – and what do you know – it works.

At mile 7 1/2, I begin to question if the course pre-view video I had previously watched was really this course or not…sure didn’t seem this long in the 4 minute pre-view video! 

Once you get past ½ way there’s no sense in turning back!

Miles 8-10 I am doing a lot of self talk “I can do this” – “Debb you are doing great” – “I am a runner” – “I will finish in 3 hours.”

The next 2 miles challenged me more that I have ever been challenged before – and I turned deep inside myself to find a strength I didn’t know I had to make it off I-90, through downtown and onto the viaduct.

One mile from the finish I felt a power come from deep inside me and I began to run like I have never  run before- – and in those moments, I found my stride.  It may not be what I always perceived in other people as pretty or elegant, but it’s mine – and in that moment on Saturday I owned it.

...all wonderfully me!

It didn’t matter anymore, how it looked to other people – it’s how it feels to me.

 Who is there to support you?

I will always remember seeing my husband, best friend and nephew –as I rounded the corner and passed the Mile

Tim, Katie, Me and Freddi...yeah she's the one who finished in less than 2 hours!

Tim and sister in law Katie closer to the finish as they saw me – the pride that I felt in being part of this amazingly supportive family is one that will never go away.

 The rest of Saturday is a blur – I know there was the best beer I ever had and the

The after 1/2 marathon burger and beers!

most wonderful hamburger I ever tasted and a feeling of accomplishment that will never leave me.

 The lessons I learned in 13.1 miles on Saturday are ‘game changers’ for me. 

 Oh, and if you see me walking around town with my ½ marathon medal around my neck – don’t be surprised – I want people to know who I am – I AM a runner. 

You may not find the answer in 3 hours or 13.1 miles, but I do encourage you to ask the question - Who am I?

 PS – My official time 3 Hours 10 Minutes 17 Seconds

Tagged as: Betsy Talbot, debbie whitlock, Personal Reflection, Seattle Rock 'n' Roll, Self-Talk