Wow, it felt great to be back on the line with a huddle of runners elbow to elbow. My first race of the year was a half marathon (13.1 miles) through the city of Syracuse. We had perfect weather in the 40s, cloudy and the rain held off just for the race.
Speedwork, fartlek workouts, negative split training runs are all necessary for me to run faster. I haven’t been getting this training in over the last several months so I took the pressure off on time or pace. I wore my watch but didn’t bother to start it or look at it. The goal for me today: talk kind to myself and appreciate that I get to run.
It was great to see everyone’s face. Smiles, laughter, shouts, and cheers filled the streets. I was with a pack of runners and wanted to stick with them. Keep looking up, keep your eyes ahead were some thoughts I kept repeating and when I got tired, keep going, keep freaking going! Once I cross the finish line this will all be gone, I want to keep up with the pack. That mantra kept coming up for me. Keep going, keep looking up and stay with the pack.
I kept a good attitude and my self-talk was kind the entire run! I didn’t beat myself up at all. I kept looking up. I kept my eyes ahead on the runners to stay with and on the runners to catch at the home stretch to the finish. When I crossed the finish I saw my High School Cross Country Coach handing out the medals! He placed it around my neck and gave me a big hug. What a great race and start to Spring.
Keep looking up. Keep going RWC!
Poem of the Day:
Keep looking up Keep going You get to run Keep your eyes fixed On the runners back Stay with the pack The race is on Keep looking up Keep going Your eyes ahead Spectators high fives Silly signs and volunteers Are all here! Keep looking up Keep going The finish is up ahead You did it You made it You got to run
Glad you did so well in your first race of the year!! We are in Florida!!
Happy that you got to run and just for the joy of running with no pressure👍😍💪