All the feelings..


After Sunday's last long run for this portion of my training season, I was feeling all kinds of things.
Excitement, terror, happiness, more excitement, thankfulness, overwhelming sadness, more thankfulness, and anxiety.  

In case you don't know (because I have been so bloggin' MIA lately), I am gearing up for my first 50k trail race this weekend.

There have been ups and downs along the way including the crazy hot summer and the return of my leg/hip pain from last summer about 2 months ago. I did take time off, but I am still not 100%. The stubborn part of me doesn't really care and I will KT tape and be on my merry way.



So why all of these feelings?? I have this thing.. called pride. I think it's my dad's fault that I cry when I am proud because quite honestly, he has held back tears (not so successfully) at almost every activity in my life. When he saw me play in marching band, he would cry. When I sang at church, he would tear up. And now, as an adult into running, he tears up when I cross the finish line. My dad, although never one to express pride or much emotion verbally, sure does show it on the outside and I know he is proud of me. I am telling you this not to throw him under the bus, but to explain that I am the same way.

When I think about crossing that finish line Sunday I get teary-eyed. A lot of hard work goes into preparing for long distance races, and even more hard work is required to actually GET you to the finish line. It's not for everyone and a lot of us get called crazy for our love for long (or ultra long) distance, but runners get it. We work hard, play harder!


I think overall, I am mostly excited. I am excited to step up to that starting line and set out to accomplish the BIGGEST goal I have set for myself yet. You guys. I started this year telling myself I was going to run a 50k trail race and in just a few days I get to make that a reality. This is insane.

I am going to soak up every mile. I am going to breathe in all of that fresh air. I am going to hopefully eat some good treats along the way. Maybe make a new friend or two. I know I will see lots of beauty in nature and snap some pictures along the way.

Most of all, I am going to do myself a solid and make it to that finish line while having the most fun I possibly can. It will not be a fast "race." But it is sure to be a lesson in life and all that I am capable of.

Until then, wish my teary-eyed self luck and I will see you all on the other side!!!


Comments

  1. mkerungirlSeptember 28, 2016 at 4:44 PM

    Best of luck at the race this weekend! How exciting to run your first 50k - the first time running any distance is always such an accomplishment but a 50k is epic. A lot of hard work goes into training for that sort of distance so enjoy the journey and savor the finish!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2016 at 4:23 PM

    Good luck! This is amazing. You can do it, you worked for it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HempPro70 Giveaway!!

Image
About a month ago, I posted a review for the Manitoba Harvest Hemp PRO70 Protein powder. I was given the opportunity thought my ambassadorship with the lovely ladies of SweatPink!!If you missed it, go  read  all about it. It is pretty good stuff, I have to say. The wonderful folks over at  Manitoba Harvest  agreed to allow me to host a giveaway, but I got the details a little to late to make it a part of my original post. So here I am with a fun Friday giveaway instead :) What can you get? a Rafflecopter giveaway
Read more

PRO Compression Giveaway!!!!

Image
A few weeks ago, I went out on a limb and contacted PRO Compression to see if they would send me a complimentary pair of socks could review and do a giveaway. I had never tried compression socks and was SUPER nervous about spending the money for them not knowing if I would even like them. I am here to tell you that they agreed, I ordered the socks and... . I LOVE THEM!!! As I told a coworker of mine, they are like a hug for your legs. This might sound ridiculous but I am so serious. I absolutely love these socks. I am not kidding. Not one single bit. I received them in the mail and I wanted to leave them on for the rest of my life. But I didn't. I did leave them on for the entire evening and actually fell asleep with them on. I also got the joy to wear them to recover from my very first half marathon as well and was so happy to have them. They really helped my recovery and just made my legs feel all strapped in and ready for action- well as ready as they can be after 13.1 mil
Read more

Into the woods

Image
 Every week since I updated the look here, I keep telling myself I will write. Somehow life (or sleep) gets in the way and I never sit down to get started on anything.  Early last week, Bryan suggested that we take our long run to the Appalachian Trail and of course I agreed immediately. He knows how much I love running trails, especially the AT, and even more so, starting at Boiling Springs. I have a history with the AT, so running there always feels a little like home when we are able to run there.  Some areas had a little snow Friday and it was evident that the trail was sprinkled with a tiny amount- just enough to feel slightly magical. It's been a super mild winter here in PA, so we get excited every time we see even a flurry of snow.  There was no shortage of fun little fan mushrooms so I could not resist the urge to stop for a few photo ops. It seemed like they were doing some cleanup after the frequent high winds we have had lately, so I did see some areas with cut-down tre
Read more