Part 1 here
so I set off on the run - knowing I had 3 laps to complete the entire event. But with voices in my head - dialog I mean - telling me I could stop at either of the first 2 laps and call it done.
Lap one - I was still surrounded by plenty of runners. Including the speedo-clad high school water polo team. As the runners passed in front of me I noticed, in this order, shoulders *dreamy sigh*, muscular backs, tapered waists, speedo covered butts...and their ages marked on their calves. 14, 15, 17...Holy cow, I'm going to jail. My SON is 14 almost 15. When did I get so old (and lecherous?!).
Back to the running...
The loop starts out uphill, then goes uphill more. Oh boy. Then it does a rolling downhill (which in my brain I saw it as "uphill on the way back, enjoy it while you can!"), then flat for an out and back loop. There's a Y in the course with 2 volunteers pointing out which direction to go - all runners headed OUT go to the right, coming back you either go to the left and retrace (laps 1 & 2) or straight for the long course lap 3. Bear with me, I'm not going to try and make you draw a map *grin*
So I bear right, do the turn around and back at the Y the volunteers ask me which lap as that determines left or straight. I say lap 1 (most people are on lap 2 at least by now) and follow the path left. I head UP the hill (the one I knew was coming) and had to walk a portion of it. My legs were still protesting the swim. They might never forgive me...only time will tell.
The transition/finish area was still packed on lap 1 - I caught my husband's eye and grinned for the official photographer. I headed off on lap 2, still negotiating with the voices/dialog about just how many laps I would be completing. 1 down, at least 1 to go. I knew I wanted to finish the WHOLE race. And I just hoped they'd leave the course open for me!
It was during this lap that something strange and new happened. I'm a heads down runner (I know I know - bad form -WHATEVER!). I usually watch my feet as they disappear under my body over and over again. I keep an eye on what's ahead - I've never ran into anything unexpected - but in order to keep my body running, I keep a close eye on it. Usually I also notice all the jiggling going on from that perspective. The girls are strapped down tight (or I'd have 2 black eyes) but the rest of me is free to fight the battle of 'gravity vs. momentum' also known as "Jiggle". I've been pretty good at cutting myself slack - even elite athletes jiggle when they run - and I've been pretty successful at merely notices and not berating myself for the jiggle. And it's getting better - it's noticeably better after 40 pounds gone. But last night - a new voice spoke up. A strong voice, a convincing voice.
"Just LOOK at those legs - they're carrying you wherever you need to go - you demand so much from them and they perform for you - they're strong, they've capable, and you are RUNNING with them"
I almost started crying - I'm almost crying now. It's so true. For so many of us - heavy or not. Our legs are wonderful and we take them for granted. And while I've beat myself up over the size/shape/length of my legs - I'm here to tell you: MY LEGS ARE PERFECT. They have never let me down. I realized this last night as I was running. They're strong. Under the weight I've let settle there, they're muscular. I push them and they carry me wherever I want/need to go. And last night was no exception.
Lap 2 on the run back the volunteers at the Y asked me what lap - I slowed down enough to say that I was going left, I had one more lap to go and that I'd be "right back" (by some definition of right back!). I thanked them as they cheered me on. Once more walking about 50% of the uphill and coming down around and back into the transition/finish area there were decidedly less people but the cheering was loud as I came down the hill - they pointed me to the finish line and I declared: ONE MORE LAP TO GO....be right back! and headed back up the hill for lap 3. Voices be damned - I was going to do the WHOLE event.
Lap 3 I headed to the out and back then finally was able to go straight at the Y for the long course added out and back. (aren't you glad you didn't have to draw a map - the course was well marked and there was very little confusion as to where to go!). It was nearly dark at this point and the trail was gravel but I had sure footing and ran on. They were picking up cones as I ran and one of the volunteers ran up the final hill behind me (at least I think she did...I was concentrating SO hard on finishing at that point). I came down and around the final portion and the transition/finish area was nearly deserted. Organizers, volunteers, vendors - and my husband. That was about it. But the finish line was still up - the clock was still running - and so was I. Across the timing mat and finishing with a time of 1hour 45min.
The course was scheduled to be open for 1hour 40min but with the late start...well, anyway - I only missed my goal by 5 minutes. But I'm fine with that! I had so many other things to be grateful for - including the organizers for not giving up on me.
1000m swim/8k run. I can do it. With strong legs, strong will, strong determination. And a gratefulness to God who makes all that possible.
No time to relax though - next race is in 16 days - Kirkland Triathlon!
TTFN,
LauraLynne
PS. The swag at the end of the race was CHOCOLATE!! And because I was last, they told me to take as much as I wanted...I took 2 boxes and brought them to work today. They're now in the deserving hands of 2 co-workers who appreciate them! 3+ weeks of no candy and day 4 of no chips!
so I set off on the run - knowing I had 3 laps to complete the entire event. But with voices in my head - dialog I mean - telling me I could stop at either of the first 2 laps and call it done.
Lap one - I was still surrounded by plenty of runners. Including the speedo-clad high school water polo team. As the runners passed in front of me I noticed, in this order, shoulders *dreamy sigh*, muscular backs, tapered waists, speedo covered butts...and their ages marked on their calves. 14, 15, 17...Holy cow, I'm going to jail. My SON is 14 almost 15. When did I get so old (and lecherous?!).
Back to the running...
The loop starts out uphill, then goes uphill more. Oh boy. Then it does a rolling downhill (which in my brain I saw it as "uphill on the way back, enjoy it while you can!"), then flat for an out and back loop. There's a Y in the course with 2 volunteers pointing out which direction to go - all runners headed OUT go to the right, coming back you either go to the left and retrace (laps 1 & 2) or straight for the long course lap 3. Bear with me, I'm not going to try and make you draw a map *grin*
So I bear right, do the turn around and back at the Y the volunteers ask me which lap as that determines left or straight. I say lap 1 (most people are on lap 2 at least by now) and follow the path left. I head UP the hill (the one I knew was coming) and had to walk a portion of it. My legs were still protesting the swim. They might never forgive me...only time will tell.
The transition/finish area was still packed on lap 1 - I caught my husband's eye and grinned for the official photographer. I headed off on lap 2, still negotiating with the voices/dialog about just how many laps I would be completing. 1 down, at least 1 to go. I knew I wanted to finish the WHOLE race. And I just hoped they'd leave the course open for me!
It was during this lap that something strange and new happened. I'm a heads down runner (I know I know - bad form -WHATEVER!). I usually watch my feet as they disappear under my body over and over again. I keep an eye on what's ahead - I've never ran into anything unexpected - but in order to keep my body running, I keep a close eye on it. Usually I also notice all the jiggling going on from that perspective. The girls are strapped down tight (or I'd have 2 black eyes) but the rest of me is free to fight the battle of 'gravity vs. momentum' also known as "Jiggle". I've been pretty good at cutting myself slack - even elite athletes jiggle when they run - and I've been pretty successful at merely notices and not berating myself for the jiggle. And it's getting better - it's noticeably better after 40 pounds gone. But last night - a new voice spoke up. A strong voice, a convincing voice.
"Just LOOK at those legs - they're carrying you wherever you need to go - you demand so much from them and they perform for you - they're strong, they've capable, and you are RUNNING with them"
I almost started crying - I'm almost crying now. It's so true. For so many of us - heavy or not. Our legs are wonderful and we take them for granted. And while I've beat myself up over the size/shape/length of my legs - I'm here to tell you: MY LEGS ARE PERFECT. They have never let me down. I realized this last night as I was running. They're strong. Under the weight I've let settle there, they're muscular. I push them and they carry me wherever I want/need to go. And last night was no exception.
Lap 2 on the run back the volunteers at the Y asked me what lap - I slowed down enough to say that I was going left, I had one more lap to go and that I'd be "right back" (by some definition of right back!). I thanked them as they cheered me on. Once more walking about 50% of the uphill and coming down around and back into the transition/finish area there were decidedly less people but the cheering was loud as I came down the hill - they pointed me to the finish line and I declared: ONE MORE LAP TO GO....be right back! and headed back up the hill for lap 3. Voices be damned - I was going to do the WHOLE event.
Lap 3 I headed to the out and back then finally was able to go straight at the Y for the long course added out and back. (aren't you glad you didn't have to draw a map - the course was well marked and there was very little confusion as to where to go!). It was nearly dark at this point and the trail was gravel but I had sure footing and ran on. They were picking up cones as I ran and one of the volunteers ran up the final hill behind me (at least I think she did...I was concentrating SO hard on finishing at that point). I came down and around the final portion and the transition/finish area was nearly deserted. Organizers, volunteers, vendors - and my husband. That was about it. But the finish line was still up - the clock was still running - and so was I. Across the timing mat and finishing with a time of 1hour 45min.
The course was scheduled to be open for 1hour 40min but with the late start...well, anyway - I only missed my goal by 5 minutes. But I'm fine with that! I had so many other things to be grateful for - including the organizers for not giving up on me.
1000m swim/8k run. I can do it. With strong legs, strong will, strong determination. And a gratefulness to God who makes all that possible.
No time to relax though - next race is in 16 days - Kirkland Triathlon!
TTFN,
LauraLynne
PS. The swag at the end of the race was CHOCOLATE!! And because I was last, they told me to take as much as I wanted...I took 2 boxes and brought them to work today. They're now in the deserving hands of 2 co-workers who appreciate them! 3+ weeks of no candy and day 4 of no chips!
Comments
P.S. Proud you gave away the chochlate.