I made such a big deal about Long Beach. I posted about it for weeks and had people all over the country pulling for me. When I failed, it was really hard, thinking about all the people cheering for me; all the people I let down. However, out of that “failure” came such an unbelievable outpouring of support. I learned that my running was so much more than just something for me. I had inspired so many of my friends. I couldn’t let one race spoil my opinion of long distance running and lose faith in myself. I needed a race that wasn’t about a PR or BQ. I needed a race that was about the fun of running and what it has been about for me for a while: inspiring and helping my friends.
So I ran another marathon this weekend. That was my “secret.” It was my low-key, not-for-PR, all-about-someone-else race. I didn’t tell anyone (other than my close running friends) so I could get out of my own way and “just do it.”
And I think I found my calling.
I paced my friend, Kelly, in the Santa Barbara International Marathon, her very first marathon. Her main goal was to finish, of course, but she really wanted to finish under 4:30. We came in, holding hands, at 4:29!!! The entire race was perfect. The weather was perfect (overcast, then drizzly showers around mile 18, with the sun coming out just in time for the finish). The people were perfect. We laughed, we made friends and we ran 26.2 miles together.
I learned quite a lot from this experience. I will write up a full race report soon.
Happy Running...
9 comments:
Very cool. I'm sure your pal will remember the day forever!
AHHHHH so cool! you know what? i ran SD 4 weeks after eugene and ran with my friends and helped pace them, etc, and it was the BEST thing i could have done. i found my heart again doing that... i hope you found yours too :) cant wait for the full report!
You rock! I had a friend run that race and she said the course was scenic but tough. That you came in at 4:29 (a time I'd love to have as my PR) is great!
See, you are a bad-ass marathoner ;)
I love it! Big congrats and an extra congrats to Kelly!!
I'm thinking I really want to go into my next marathon with a much more low-key approach. Not going to make a huge fuss over it... too much pressure/stress!
Running/finishing with a friend is THE BEST...even better than a PR :-)
Glad you had a backup marathon just in case. :-)
Looking forward to the details but it already sounds so much better than the last one. Fun stuff!
I wish you didn't feel like you'd let your supporters down in your last marathon. Would you feel like they'd let you down if the tables were turned?
This one sounds like the perfect way to approach a race. Fun, friendship, and enjoying the journey.
Sounds like a great race! I've discovered that I love pacing someone through a race a whole lot more than killing myself to hit a PR LOL. Glad you had a good time.
I assumed your secret was a race, but not a freakin' marathon!! :) glad you had fun and Congrats to your friend!
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