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Dear Pat and Fellow Runners,
As I sit at my desk with sore legs, I can look back at Yesterday's Freescale Marathon
not as a defeat but as a tremendous victory. With two personal PR's for the Buda and
3M Half under my belt this year, I felt this was the year I would PR this marathon. I
felt I was at the top of my game. Unfortunately, someone up above, thought I needed to
build a little more Character, and instead of sending a 40 degree cold front to Austin,
sent us exactly what I was afraid of, Humid hot weather. I knew I was in trouble when my
hair was soaking wet by mile 3 and I still, could not breath by mile 6. My friend Grace
was only doing the half this year (She is running Boston), so I thought, maybe I should
just quit and catch a ride with her at the half. What would my husband and two children
think of me if they did not see me at mile 20? I continued on and by mile 14/15 it was,
Hello calf muscles, by mile, 16/17 it was hello calf cramps! (both legs too!). By mile
18 my ipod died(yes I need music to run). This is the first marathon where I really was
contemplating quiting. I have run 3 Motorola's and one Chicago and NEVER ever thought of
quitting. Tell me,how could I possibly run with cramped legs? I never trained for that!
I thought about the repercussions of quiting at mile 20 in front of my children and
husband. After visualizing that scenario in my mind I knew I had to go on. I also
considered how it would effect me personally if I quit. There was no way that I could
live with that decision. Therefore Plan B. I made the "deal" with God, it was simple.
Now, I knew he would help me finish and it would not get any easier.
There is nothing like coming down the final stretch with all of the spectators
screaming and yelling, I was motivated and tried to excel, but again, the cramps took
their grip and kept me in check. This slow trod was the speed I would be running as I
crossed the finish line. Crossing the finish line, is still the most AWESOME feeling there is.
Knowing that I am not a quitter, that I am a Finisher ranks pretty high too. I can
hold my head high. I think my next Marathon will be in Alaska!
AF class of 2005. I have been a member for the past 5 years. I love AF and will see
you all next year.
Linda Michael
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