Date: 03 July 2010. Location: Vallecito, CA. Name of Event: Hernia Hills a.k.a. Half From Hell! Time It Took To Place Last: 2:37:25
I don't even know if I want to write about it, so I willl just write what comes to mind.
I have many goals and aspirations. I set my sights and bars high, probably too high in the opinion of many. However, I expect a lot from myself, and I am the hardest on myself when it comes to punishment and self-berrating. I expect myself to do well, and to produce results ... All. The. Time.
So what happens when my goals aren't reached or fall short? I can honestly say that I do beat myself up internally. It's difficult for me not to. It wasn't even a "bad" time ... just a slow one, and I finished! Com'mon, Row., what the hell? Can't you just be happy with that? That run was difficult to say the least, but you were out there, you did your best, and you finished. End of story. There was no "DNF" by your name ... there was a time!
I know. I know. I know. I get that. I understand it. I should not be ashamed. I should be proud of myself, and I am. I am very proud of myself. To be my age and to still look as good as I do, to be in the shape that I am in, and to be as fit and healthy as I am ... I get it. But ... but ... but ... there's always a "but." There are those who were not out there, didn't even try, laughed at the name of the race. There are those who literally sat on their couch, or laid in bed while YOU were out there, Row. There are those who can only wish that they could attempt to do what you do. There are those who wish that they could walk, or sit up, or let alone move a finger, breathe on their own. What you accomplished was AMAZING, Row. Let it be, Row. Leave it alone. Let it go ...
There should be no tears. There is no crying. You finished with a time ... End. Of. Story.
Originally posted on www.runningcode3.wordpress.com
That's a GREAT time. It really is. And if it was a ton of hills, you did amazing. Great post-race pic too, you look like you had FUN.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph is gold, you know you did something spectacular. One sign I will always remember seeing when I did my 1st half was, "IF it were easy, I'd be running it!".
Hell YES you got out there while others were on the couch or drinking and you RAN!!! And you ran a decent time!! So be PROUD! Be VERY PROUD!!! Would you rather have a DFL or a DNF or how about a DNS? I applaud you!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you. think you're awesome. Here I was, expecting some awful finishing time... and that wasn't even that bad.
ReplyDeleteI was sitting on the couch. (okay, recliner with my leg up) but I wasn't even out there.
You.Totally.Rock.
...and you made it look good! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been last in a race before (and have finished half marathons with times way slower than that! lol!), so I have an idea how it feels. What I learned is, at the time I was the only one who cared... and now, I'm the only one who remembers.
So GREAT jot out there :)
You got that right! Congratulations because no DNF right next to your name. It’s my worst fear too being the last finisher of any race but if it happens, oh well, I’ll be very proud of myself to finish! You can do the post-mortem but it won’t do you any good. Just hold your head high and keep on racing!
ReplyDelete-Michelle (fka meechellee)