Happy Monday all. Hope you had a great weekend. Mine was busy. I spent Friday with my
grandson volunteering at an Immigration Fair.
Many current and former law students joined attorneys to share the process
and procedures of being a U.S. citizen and to assist people with the DACA (The dream
Act). I know immigration is a controversial and complicated subject, and one
that hits close to home. I mean, I was
born in Texas which is just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the border, so there is
that…. Okay, I’ll change the subject because it’s a heated topic around these
parts.
I am entering week 8 of my Urban Cow Half Marathon training.
On Sunday, we did a pre-race run of the course. You could either do 11 or 13
miles. I chose the 11 miles and it was longest run ever. It was incredible to
see young and old doing this race.
I got behind a 3.15 hour pacer. She was
power walking the entire time. I was
reminded again to embrace the power walk. Especially when your power walk is
faster than you running.
This was a test run so I started my morning with oats and pumpkin. I grabbed a water, and I
had two GUs in my running belt. My running partner
did not have breakfast and no food so I gave her my running GUs. It was the
right thing to do. After mile 9, I was losing steam. I had no more water. I was careful to take small sips. Luckily, there was a 2nd water station set up with Gatorade. I filled my bottle as I knew I needed
the sugar and calories. After mile 10,
it really got HARD. Two power walkers had passed me. My friend was was ahead of me the first 8 miles was now walking. Her ankle was hurting. I felt bad about leaving her behind but this was pre-race. I knew the Urban
Cow volunteer riding his bike up and down the course would continue checking on her. He had passed me like 5. Does this make me
a bad friend? I struggled with going
ahead. She said she would just walk so I powered through...
The last 20 minutes I the run was difficult. I did a combo of jog/walk. Another woman came
behind me as asked me if I had eaten? When I said no, she handed me a protein
bar. I was so grateful. I started to eat straight away. By the time I got to the Finish to check- out,
my GPS had said I completed 11.78 miles with an average pace of 14.5
minutes. 2:53 minutes I had completed
nearly 12 hours. I was so happy to be
done. I wondered if I could have done
another 2 miles. That course is longer…
Do I have the inner and physical strength to complete the half? Well, if I could do 12, I better do the 13.1
because if I don’t do it, I’ll never forgive myself.
I wailed for my friend.
A couple of the other walkers were worried about her too. I started to walk back to look for her and then
I saw her. I was so relieved. As she wen to check-in, I walked to get my car and pick her up. I figured with walking to look for my friend, and getting there car, I probably did the 13.1
miles and guess what? I DID IT!
It’s interesting what goes through your mind when you’re running
and walking for nearly 3 hours. I played
no music… it was just me and my thoughts. There are some parts of the course, I can’t
even remember and others I totally remember.
The last stretch on the River Road was incredibly difficult. But I knew
where I was… I recalled how 2.5 years ago, I walked that road after one of my
chemo treatments. I felt so thankful to be on that road again. It was like the good Lord reminding me… you
are capable. You are strong… You are alive.
Thank you Diosito…
I am always reminded that I may not be where I want to be
but I am certainly not where I was… And if I find myself in a place where I don’t’
want to be again, I know I’ll be okay… I know with God’s grace, I’ll have
the strength to persevere.
TTFN
Paula
