Have you ever worked hard at something only to have so many things go wrong, you didn't feel worthy of doing it in the first place? It can either be through work, through personal relationships, through sports...whatever.
I had that happen many times, but one thing that stands out is my performance at the Buffalo County Stampede last year. In case you're wondering, the Stampede is a half marathon (13.1 miles) that's been going here in Kearney for 6 years. So here's the deal.
Last year I started running (January 2011). I could barely make it a block let alone 13 miles. I started because someone (my physical therapist) 11 years ago told me I shouldn't. I had asked her if I'd ever be able to run again during pt from my car accident in which I broke my left collarbone and right ankle. She said no, don't even try. I thought that was a weird statement coming from a physical therapist, so I took it as a challenge...for 10 YEARS! Looking back, I think I can finally understand why she said that because I was heavier back then. Let me tell you, when you get into a car accident, have to move back home because of it, have your whole world flipped completely upside down, live with your folks because you can't drive, eat mom's delicious home cooking, and lead a sedentary life because of broken bones, the pounds pack on.
Ok, back to the point. This whole "challenge" thing had been sitting on the back burner of my brain for 10 years. Finally in January last year, I took that challenge head on. I had already started walking around the neighborhood for a few months previous, throwing in a block or two of running, but in January, I officially started.
It wasn't pretty, hell, it still isn't pretty...lol...but I joined the Y, and every week just started pushing myself to do a little bit more, then a little bit more. Four months later a friend of mine told me she'd run my first 2 mile race with me. A few days later I found one...Race For Grace in Grand Island, and held my friend to her promise. By the way, your welcome Stace, and thank you!
That race was totally tough, but I got officially hooked! Many of you might have seen my photo with the 10k sign which was also held at the same race. Little did I know that would be my next challenge just a month later. After doing a 10k here in Kearney, another one of my friends asked me if I was going to sign up for the Buffalo Co. Stampede in June and she was thinking about it. Was she crazy? Was I crazy? By this time I had done my first 10k, (6.2 miles), but had never thought i'd be able to go 13.1 miles. So I took it as a challenge. Thanks Cathy!
With no formal training, I just started plugging away, adding more time and miles each week. Finally, here came the Buffalo County Stampede, and everything that could go wrong went wrong, right from the beginning. Mother nature, in her infinite wisdom, made sure I missed the gun time because of "bathroom necessities". Great, I started late...ok, so I didn't start with the pack. Oh, did I mention I'm a slow runner? So here I am running my own race, WAY behind the pack. Now, one of the main jobs for a runner is to know the route. Well, I knew for the most part...and I'm not proud of this, but I missed the turnaround at mile 7 by about a half mile after another "pit stop". By the time I figured out that I didn't see the 7 mile marker I was already a mile back. Let me tell you, running that far for ANY runner, experienced or not, is mostly mental preparedness. The last 6 miles was the toughest I'd ever experience mentally and emotionally. With each step I was beating myself up because I knew in my heart I wouldn't completely finish the race. I was sore, my big toe was hurting, my whole body was in pain, my mind was completely spent, I was done, but I DID cross the finish line in 4 hours, 4 minutes, and 10 seconds, and totally mortified.
FAST FORWARD TO BUFFALO COUNTY STAMPEDE 2012. Time for REDEMPTION! I was ready for today. I had NO "bathroom necessities" at the gun start, I was able to start with the pack, I felt good. Now I'm not the fastest runner, and everyone knows it. Regardless, I kept running. I saw everyone separate from me, but it was ok. I run my own race at every single race. I kept plugging away, listening to my tunes, watching the various wildlife run around, every once in a while chanting my "NO MIND" mantra in my head, continuing to focus on the run. I tried to encourage anyone I met on the way back, I saw some friends along the way, but was DETERMINED to get to mile 7, and BY GOD I DID! I even high fived the sign, asked the volunteers if I officially made the turnaround, and when they said yes, I was ECSTATIC! Just KNOWING I made the turnaround was the BEST feeling, but I also knew I wasn't done, not by a long shot!
I still had 6 miles left to go. Although emotionally I felt good, it's still a mental challenge to get to the finish. I thought for the first half of the race I was last, but that changed when the last person passed me, the mental part took over again, but I was determined to not let it get to me. Fast forward to the last couple miles of the race, I tried as hard as I could to pick up the pace, but I was developing a callous, my back was hurting, and was finding it hard to focus. There was no way I was going to hit my goal time of 3:45. Finally, at the last half mile of the race, I was met by a few Kearney Runners (tremendously faster and better than me, we're talking Boston Marathoner better) encouraging me to pick up the pace and finish strong, and it helped! THANKS GUYS! I finished in 3:57:31 and PROUDLY received my finisher's medal! REDEMPTION SERVED! 5.5 minutes faster than last year, 55 seconds faster than Lincoln, and finally a sense of COMPLETION!
Now on to Chicago in September, with a few 5k's, 10k's and intense training thrown in the mix!
Redemption feels GREAT!
Zumbarunner...Whether shaking it or running it, I'll cross the finish line!
