I had been waiting for this day for a long time. I ran this race last year and it had become one of my favorites. After missing all of my spring races due to a stress fracture, I was nervous and excited to run a big race again. I followed Dr.’s orders and slowly upped my mileage over the past 8 months. Despite a couple of routine aches and pains, I was ready to go. I had decided that I really wasn’t going to set a time goal for this race and that all I wanted was to be able to run 10 miles again without stopping.
I spent Friday working at the expo on behalf on Rock n Roll marathon. (more on that soon). For the most part it’s a fun, yet tiring, experience. It great to run into friends and also fellow blogger friends who I rarely see in person.
I had a little fun on the way in with some of the Army activities.
You know what they say about a man in uniform? Well it’s true-these guys were not hard to look at. When one of them challenged me to do drop and give him 10, I happily obliged.
I was so nervous for this race. I have done so many 10 milers and half races the past few years but this was different. This was my first post injury 10 miler. This was my comeback 10 miler. What if I couldn’t do it? What if I hurt my shin again? I had these and a couple hundred other worries. I set out my “flat Mama” and made race day plans with my MRTT mamas. I honestly could not have made it through the day without these ladies and their support. My co-Chapter Leader, Alexandra, actually planned her long run that day to end up at the finish line to cheer me on. Love them!
Standing in the Pentagon waiting for the race to start with 35k of my fellow runners, it’s hard not to feel patriotic. We were surrounded by hundreds of Army personnel doing what they do best: protecting and serving. Hearing the National Anthem while standing amongst military personnel and wounded warriors really puts things into perspective. Living in the DC area, it’s easy to become jaded and take for granted all of the iconic symbols we see everyday. There is something very American about running down “Independence Avenue”. This race, always reminds me of all that we have to be thankful for.
And we were off and running! I planned to stay with my friend, Holly, as we are usually the same pace. I could tell after the first mile that I just wouldn’t be able to keep up with her today. Some days you have it and some days you don’t. I kept reminding myself that my goal was to finish without walking and my time didn’t matter. Easier said than done. This was the first time that I ran for so long without music and without talking to a friend. I forgot how long ten miles is.
It took me 2 or 3 miles to feel warmed up and I felt ok until about mile 8 where I just felt tired and my hip started to hurt. It was one of those races where you start asking yourself what you are doing here. I tried to absorb some of the great energy from the crowd. Looking around I saw military personnel running in full boots and gear, soldiers running with huge American flags and wounded warriors walking the course. Inspiring indeed.
A very cool fly over with parachuters
I finally found myself in the home stretch and was so relieved to see that finish line. This was a tough one for me. I am so glad to be running long distance races again pain free and I know I will eventually get back to where I was. Mentally, I needed to do this to prove to myself that I could. I would do it again next year in a heartbeat but right now I’ve got a date with my foam roller.
Ever have a race that you had to get through mentally to prove to yourself that you could?
I think that these are some of the best races for you (the mental battles) because they stick with you the longest. Congratulations for pushing through and proving to yourself that you could!
Mental battles indeed. Yes proving to yourself that you can is a great confidence builder and time doesn’t really matter.
Yay! I am so happy for you my friend, I know you were very nervous for this, but you did it!!!! The what ifs are very scary before, but when you look back, you always think how silly that was, but at the time it is very real! I have had many races I was scared of and just had to get out there and do it. That is one thing I need to do more actually. I am going to work on it!
By the way, so in my marathon, I remember hearing a guy say “you know what we havent seen yet? Tutus!”, just remembered that when i saw your outfit! I am sure he wasnt saying that by the end of the day 🙂
Thanks for the support friend! Nothing like finishing a race 10 min slower than last year. And ha yes we always see lots of tutu wearing ladies and some very creative outfits. I haven’t run in tutu yet but do love the running skirts
Congratulations on your comeback race!
Thanks! Still have a long way to go but getting back there
oh i’m so glad that you ran pretty much pain free. it was tough, but you did it! so so so happy for your deborah 🙂
Thanks! I am happy to be back running longer distances and I have to just have realistic expectations
Great job on your ten miler, depite your doubts. That’s when you just have to have confidence and believe in yourself:)
I know! Easier said than done right?
Congrats on finishing the tough race! I’m glad to hear it was mostly pain free.
Thanks! I will get back there eventually!
Looks like a great race! Hope you are feeling good today!! Congrats on your comeback race!!
Thanks! It felt great to be back out there
Great job getting it done! I hope the hip issue isn’t anything but tight hips from a long run!
Thanks! I said that I just wanted to finish it without walking and be proud of that so I’m going with it
I’m so proud of you!
Loved being there for you like your have been for me
Thanks! I’m so glad that you were there it really meant a lot to me 🙂
Great job on your 10 miler!! Awesome you never gave up and proved you could do it! The flyover with the parachuters must’ve been a cool sight to see!
Thanks! It was a tough one
What a wonderful feeling! Good for you! and I would say, in my humble opinion, you are already back!
Oh you are so sweet thanks! One step at a time right?
Congrats on pushing through when it got tough. You earned that medal!
thanks! It was a tough one for sure but so glad I did it!
Great job sticking through it! The race itself looks really awesome, I have never participated in a race that large but I can imagine the feeling of comradery was immense!
It’s huge! I love the race it was just a tough day for me but glad I did it
THE BEST FEELING EVER = finding yourself in the HOME STRETCH!!! 😀 😀 😀 Yay for finishing! I honestly really want to go to a Marathon Expo! LOL! Would that be cheating?
No not at all! Lots of people tag along. You will find lots of things to buy that you never thought you needed 🙂
Congrats on making it through post injury! I’m glad you’re back at it, and I’m confident it will only get better from here :).
Thanks! I sure hope so 🙂
Congrats on your finish! That looks like some an awesome race and even better race experience, You got over the first hump! That is huge! I scheduled a 10K for Nov 1 so I am anxious to get out there and see how I do! This will help prove to me that all this training is working and I am headed in the right direction! Cool medal too for you! 🙂
It’s a great race it was just a hard one for me that day. I’m glad to be moving in the right direction just taking my time. You are going to surprise yourself on the 10k you’ll see. You’ve been training smart!