Monday, August 2, 2010

A small victory, but a victory none the less!

WARNING: This post is going to seem lame and weak to all of my runner friends. Don't laugh or mock or make fun of me!

Okay, so most of you know that I am training to run the St. George marathon in October. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time now and I am excited to just buckle down and get it done. We are about half way through our training schedule and I felt (note: past tense) like everything was going fine. I was keeping up on my schedule and getting all my runs in.
I have never been a fast runner...and I have never really cared that much. I just run. Put my head phones in and turn up the music, give the kids some snacks and books, and then I just go. I didn't even care how far or where I went. I just ran. And it was fun.
But, like I said, I am pretty slow. I am talking...like really slow.
Anyway, we just did 13.1 miles two weeks ago and I was feeling proud that I even did it. We finished in just under 3 hours...I think it was 2:55 or something like that. That is about 13:30 minutes per mile. (Side note: Scott is much much faster. But he trots around and runs in circles around me to keep me motivated. He tells me jokes and reminds me to push myself as hard as I can. He would run it in half the time...but he stays with me. Isn't he great?)
Anyway, we got an email from the St. George marathon with general information about the course, the schedule, etc., but the thing that stood out to me was the timing...it said that the course closes after SIX HOURS. Six hours. If my half marathon is just barely under three hours...then I am looking at finishing right at six hours. But what if I need extra time? What if something happens?
Do you know how discouraging it is to know that I could train for something for five months and then not even be able to complete it? I knew I was slow, and I knew I would be finishing at the very tail end of all the runners, but I didn't realized I would be LAST!! I didn't realize that they just might close the course before I could even cross the finish line. That is kind of depressing. I'll be honest, when I started realizing all of this, I was so so sad. Scott talked me through it and made me feel like I could do it...but I still doubted myself.
So, this past Saturday we had scheduled a 10 mile run. In the morning, Scott had a terrible migraine and he was going to be able to go, and I considered not going myself. Last minute, I decided that I would go. I geared up and took off. I had set some goals to try and run just a little bit fast this time, but I don't know what came over me. I just kept running faster and faster. And I would get lost in my thoughts and look down and I would be running an eight minute mile. So I would slow down (so I wouldn't burn out) but just kept going and going.
Finally, as I ran into our driveway of our complex the running watch showed exactly 10 miles and exactly 2 hours. I quickly did the math...that means twelve minutes per mile!
Seriously....do you know how hard it is to cut off a minute and a half per mile? FOR TEN MILES?? I was so proud of myself. As soon as I walked in the door, I fell on the floor and started crying because I was so happy. And Scotty, being the terrific husband that he is, made me feel like I had just run the whole marathon.
I know it sounds like I am tooting my own horn here...so for those of you who didn't catch it...I am still running a 12 minute mile (which is usually under the "jogging/speed walking" category) so it isn't much to brag about. But I am still really proud.
It seems like a tiny little step for most runners out there, but it was a giant leap for Rachel McPhie!

15 comments:

  1. Wow! Great job! A minute and a half off EACH mile for 10 miles is incredible.

    Tell Scott I'm disappointed in him. A headache? From a guy who claims to "rock" like a hurricane?

    David

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  2. You go girl! I am so proud of you! Someday I will be a runner - you are my inspiration!

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  3. that's awesome rachel! i don't think i could run 10 miles period. good luck with the rest of your training!

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  4. oh my gosh woman, you have nothing to feel bad about. do you know how awesome it is to run a marathon at all!? the fact that you have the desire and motivation to do it and that you have been so committed to your training is amazing! running is just about you and the road... and you are totally proving to yourself that you can do anything you want! you're improving every day and i know you will be awesome in october! i'm so proud of you for sticking with it and for celebrating all your victories!

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  5. Way to go, Rachel! That is awesome! You will do great come October. And I think it's wonderful that you'll have such a supportive, loving partner to finish with. Keep it up!

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  6. Rach, you are amazing and I hope you realize that! Way to go, such a big improvement IS something to celebrate. Just remember that you're racing against you, not anyone else. And you obviously won!! So awesome.

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  7. Way to go! I can't believe you're running 10 miles at a time and training for a marathon-- totally commendable (no matter how fast/slow you go)! Keep up the hard work. I can't wait to read about your St. George adventure in a few months.

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  8. what the!? increasing your speed by 20 seconds/mile is a lot, i think. one and a half minutes!!?!! that's awesome, rach! i'm ecstatic!! and you'll totally finish in under 6 hrs. i know you will. yay! can't wait.

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  9. Rachel, you are amazing! I don't care what your time is per mile--you ran 13 miles!!! I've never done that! Once I ran 7 and was feeling pretty awesome! Keep up the good work!

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  10. Just to set the record straight (David), I don't claim to rock like a hurricane. I AM the hurricane. (...Insert shameless plug for my band here...)

    More importantly, my wife rules.

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  11. I think that's pretty darn incredible! I would be mighty proud of myself if I did that. Hopefully some day I might be able to. You're an inspiration!

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  12. That is so awesome! I am getting more and more excited for the marathon, even though I don't think I am doing as a good a job on the training as you guys are. Can't wait to see you soon!

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  13. Way to go Rach! That is SO awesome! I think it's so great. You're going to rock the marathon!

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  14. My friend Becky ran a marathon last October and she was worried about the same thing, so she started the race before the gun. She recommends starting an hour early. That way, you still get to finish with other people - with the cheering crowds, etc. :)
    Way to go Rach. I think you are AMAZING. You inspire me.

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  15. FANTASTIC. I've never even run 10 miles in one session. Go Rach!!!!

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