This weekend I participated in the Superhero Half Marathon in Morristown, NJ. I rocked that race! Okay, stop laughing…I’m kidding. I did finish….but I didn’t set any records. In fact I came in dead last. It’s true…I was their last finisher, but let me tell you – I felt just as much pride as anybody who finishes a half marathon feels. It wasn’t my first time finishing a half marathon, and it wasn’t my first time being last. I was last at the Bucks County Half Marathon too — but you know what? I’m totally okay with that. I went out there, gave it what I had – and I finished it. Nobody can tell you how incredible it feels. I stuck with it….even when it hurt, and I didn’t want to keep going….I kept going. I just kept moving….one step at a time…and step-by-step, I got there.
This was an inaugural event, I was really impressed with how well this event was handled. Plenty of support on the course, police covered traffic well, lots of neighborhood crowd support, lots of porta potties, etc – and one event I would certainly do again. I think they did an excellent job for their first event. (held in Morristown, NJ)
One other small thing I wanted to mention – Today was my attempt at completing 3 half marathons in a 90 day period. (I reached that goal! Woohoo….completed 3 half marathons in 71 days!)
- I’m still struggling with a lot of pain in my messed up tailbone, but I didn’t use it as an excuse.
- I broke out in shingles earlier this week (3rd time!), but I didn’t use it as an excuse.
- I woke up with a fever, but I didn’t use it as an excuse.
- It was my female time of the month, but I didn’t use it as an excuse.
- I had a personal issue that threw me for a loop this week, but I didn’t use it as an excuse.
I showed up at the start line just like everybody else. I decided that I was going to just get out there and do what I could. My goal was to finish…and that was what I kept in my mind….just make it to the finish line. If I can do it quicker than I usually do, great, but if not – just don’t stop, keep going.
Sometimes it can feel a little embarrassing coming in so far behind everyone else….dead last finish, but you know what – I went 13.1 miles…where’s the shame in that? I reminded myself as I rolled up on the finish that I had just spent a good long portion of my morning putting one foot in front of the other, and accomplishing something huge. It was okay – because I did it. Nobody can do it for you….it’s only you and your body out there, and you have to battle your body and your mind in those moments when you’re tired. This time — I won.
I’m proud to say I have now officially finished 3 half marathons, and I hold my head high….because I did it. Nobody did it for me….I put my body through the paces, and I pulled it off…again. That’s a nice word….AGAIN….I did it AGAIN! Cool feeling.
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