Waking up super early may be the worst part of running races. I don't function well early in the morning. The morning of this race I actually suggested we leave a few hours earlier and "tailgate" before the race began. The night before I couldn't sleep. I was nervous I wouldn't be able to finish the race, after all the most I had ever ran was still over a mile less than what I was needing to do this day. Seven miles is the distance alone-- that doesn't even include the creeks, banks, stumps and hills. I watched several you-tube videos of the race, looked over last years finish results, and read blogs about what to expect. It didn't help much, just made me feel more anxiety. Our shirts were finished just in time for the race! The skirts and shirts attracted a LOT of attention-- MANY people were photographing us and the backs of the shirt. It says " Does this skirt make my butt look fast?" We even scored a 40 second interview on stage. People came from all over the United States come to share in the fun. They only accept 7500 registrations and they were sold out within a weeks time. We all anxiously awaited and registered the same night it opened. We communicated through texts and FB messages to make sure we all got signed up in time.
Once we were there the costumes were hilarious and creative! There was Santa and his reindeer, zombies chasing their brains, men in dresses, brides and grooms, Lego men, naked Spartans, and of course the Dirty Skirts( just to name a few). While we were waiting for the race to begin our tailgate party was more like a huddling flock of hens around a crock pot of steel cut oats and hand warmers. We talked about our kids, husbands, and how to cook oatmeal. A few cars down there were peoplein thier 20's cracking beers and drinking straight out of liquor bottles. I can only imagine their conversations did not include ANY of the above topics. I think that's what makes us special is we are proving to our families, our friends, and most importantly ourselves that your never too old or too slow or too anything to do something that is a challenge. We would save our drinking for a day when we didn't need every bit of our stomach contents. This race was going to be hard enough for me without puking.
I don't know if other runners have this issue, but when I run my underwear fall down. It doesn't matter what size I have they roll right down my flat butt. So I decided on the ride down they would have to go, I went into the portapotty and quickly discovered that because of the layering this would be much easier said than done without catching hepatitis. I decided they must be torn off. After some finagling--they were in the bottom of portapotty and my butt was instantly colder. As I shut the door behind me I wondered what the next person was going to think when they saw them in the portapotty, but I was sure as heck not going to retrieve them.
I read online that because of the obstacles there would be points in the race you would be walking or waiting to cross rivers, bends etc... So when you had the chance to run you should take it. I was cold and the running was heating me up quick. By the time I was 1 mile in I was already losing the gloves and long sleeves. The first creek crossing was about 2 miles in, it was a 4 foot drop into a ankle deep creek. It was easier than it looked. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't tougher and I wasn't dirtier. The second creek crossing I was ALL IN. We chose the steepest and deepest part to cross. This is when I discovered not wearing underwear has its drawbacks. The water was ice cold, and I am VERY short , it was hip deep. I almost lost my left shoe in the mud, but made it up the embankment with a little booty push from my race partner Trish.
Miles 3-6 seemed to fly by. When I run so many things float in and out of my mind. Today I was thinking about my kids, thinking about how seeing me take chances everyday will help them to take chances too. Will teach them first hand about faith and perseverance. Having a mother who isn't fearful, who isn't typical, who does the best she can in everything she does everyday will hopefully make them stronger adults with the ability to make decisive and wholesome choices about their lives. Lately I have been beating myself up about being a "good" mother. I have been working 12 hour workdays 6-7 days a week, missed every hockey game this season, and have cooked 3 meals in the past month. the sacrifice in my family and personal life for my business has been tremendous recently. I remember a few years back being critical of moms who forgot snack day, who didn't brush their kids hair, and whose daycare providers spent more time with them than they did. Its funny how God teaches us empathy. When I run I feel stronger. I feel in control. I feel like everything is going to be OK-- because the truth is it will be. Re framing my parenting while running today made me feel like my kids have a chance to not be screwed up after all. We kept a nice jogging pace most the time, and made it through a total of 5 very muddy creek crossings, a few steep embankments with ropes to pull us up, and fields full of slippery corn stalks and stumps. The last mile was the challenge. I started to feel my legs get heavy, and I started to see more people going around me. We were going up a pretty decent hill and my body was starting to feel broken. I walked about 100 feet and then started hating myself. " WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!- You have run 6 miles and now your going to walk up the last hill on the last mile!!" I started running again, slow at first and then as the pink skirts ahead of me started disappearing I picked it up and caught up with my friends. I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by. I wasn't going to make excuses for myself anymore, I wasn't going to give in to my weaknesses, I wasn't going to be the chubby girl who everyone needed to pass. This is where it counted. This is where it mattered. RUN! RUN! RUN! I have an approach to life and the same premise applies to my running --winning means I am willing to work harder, longer, and give more than anyone else. It doesn't mean crossing the finish line first. It doesn't mean winning a trophy. It means that I don't leave anything behind. I just have to make sure that when I cross the finish line to the line of Imaginary Beef Stew I can say I gave it everything I had. And I did.
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ReplyDeleteAs promised, I'm hijacking your blog. You started me on this with your infectious determination so it's only fair that I pay it forward.
ReplyDeleteThis race had such huge significance for me. I've got pale skin and asthma so when I exercise my face gets bright red and I get short of breath more easily. Growing up I was "the wimp" of the family because I was too embarrassed to exercise because of all of this. As an adult I made the decision not to be "the wimp" any longer. I started working out, then this crazy lady from the YMCA convinced me that I should do bootcamp with her group of friends. Next thing I know, I'm signing up for another bootcamp and running with this group on the side. Our bootcamp instructor tells us that it's all about community and this group exemplifies that. They are open and welcoming and nonjudgemental. This isn't just a running club.
When I started all of this, I could barely make it 4 blocks. With support and encouragement I got up to 2-3 miles. In preparation for this big race, I got up to 6 miles in 32 degrees! As Sarah said, still not as far or as treacherous as this race was going to be. Then 10 days before the race several of us got together to run. Thanks to daylight savings time it was darker than we were used to. We were running towards a more well lit area when I hit the edge of the sidewalk and rolled my ankle! It double in size and had more purple on it than normal skin tone. Being the good nurse that I am, I waited until the next day to get it looked at. No breaks, just a nasty sprain. The PA was also an athlete, so she understood where I was coming from when I said that I needed to run this race. She gave me a brace to immobilize it and told me to let pain be my guide and listen to my body and I should be able to make it through the race. The swelling got better and worse. The bruises turned darker and looked worse. Most everyone I talked to told me that I was stupid to even think about this race.
What most people didn't know is that my husband is graduating next month and is applying for jobs all over the country. There is a strong possibility that this would be my only chance to do a race with and extraordinary group of women. It is about community and for the first time in my life I felt like I belonged. While most were getting cheered on, I was getting warned and discouraged. But I trusted my body, I said my prayers, I knew that I could do this. I had people making bets that I wouldn't cross the finish line on my feet.
Three compassionate women sacrificed their time to stay by my side. They helped me climb up and down those ravines. We tried to avoid the water in the creek as much as we could. Around mile 5 my ankle was really starting to ache. We hit a creek that there was no avoiding. And it took away my pain! It was like the ice baths that I had been doing the 10 days before. After that I embraced those muddy, horrible creeks.
I can say honesty say that I was starting to feel weak and defeated, like the end was never going to come. Then we saw a ray of light. The rest of our group had been watching and waiting for us! With them by our side, their encouragement gave me the strength to muster up my last bit of energy and cross the finish line. I was #3,284 out of the 7,500! Not even close to last.
What did I learn from this? Of course that I can trust my body and that I can do anything I set my mind to. But most importantly, that there are good people in the world that will listen to you, trust you, and be by your side when you really need them. Words cannot express my deep gratitude for every member of our team for allowing me to be one of you!
Sarah Rose,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you.
It gives me tears of happiness when I think back on all the times you've pushed yourself to use your gifts and talents to the best of your ability. This is just another example...a remarkable, unique one yes, but what everyone who knows you has come to expect and look forward to.
I love how you are getting in touch with the beautiful, strong body God gave you and using it as the tool for your Spirit it is meant to be. Go, go, go!
You are the best possible daughter & human being I could ever dream of...my pride and joy!
Love,
Momma
Hurray! Great job Sarah and great job to the rest of the gang! :o)
ReplyDeleteI am impressed. You look great, and it looks like you have inspired a town. Good for you...wish I was part of it all.
ReplyDelete