- Finish Time: 3:25:45.7
- Pace: 7’51″
- Location: Ormond Beach, FL
- Date: March 23, 2019
- Weather: 40 degrees, clear, no wind
- Recommend: 10/10 on the marathon! Flat course, only one bridge at the end (be prepared)
I am a strong believer that you are given the success that you earn. If you do not work, you don’t deserve success to come knocking on your door. With that being said, there is no better feeling than knowing every that ounce and every second you put into your goal turned into a success. You earned that success, and you deserve to be happy. We all know this feeling at some point or another don’t we
The Tomoka Marathon was just that.
We can all agree every run is different. Different feelings, different thoughts, different routes, and different situations. During the Tomoka marathon, I had a lot of time to think, which is normal for any long run, but this time I realized 3 things. And for the most part, these thoughts brought out something I believe I needed to understand. These thoughts changed the way I ran and changed the way I see running. And with them, I was able to Qualify for Boston 2020
1. Run with your legs and heart, not the body or brain.
There are many ways this can be applied, but the main way is to conserve energy. During the race I realized quickly, if I use my entire body, I will tire out fast. During races, your legs have already made it through the training, they can get you through the race as long as all the energy for is used for them! I also realized 26.2 miles was daunting at mile 1, so instead of counting miles, I focused on my love for running. If I didn’t love running, I wouldn’t be in this race right now. Everything that we do, even if it is our passion, there is a point in time that it can seem daunting. Once it turns this way, try reminding yourself why you started, why you love this. Once you bring back the original feeling, you can conquer anything.
2. Other people are struggling more than you are right now
I know, it goes along with “someone out there is worse off than you are” and again this is very true. Doesn’t mean you aren’t struggling, but again you have to be thankful for every step you are able to take. I kept telling myself, there are other runners in this race that didn’t train who don’t believe they can get through the 26.2 miles. Be proud of something that you have decided to do what many others are not willing to do.
I also found this humbling. When you come to terms you are doing something others choose not to, your pain does not make you a victim. Stop acting like a victim, there is no time for victimhood thinking when you are fighting to reach your goals. Know you have control of every situation.
3. Looking behind or down won’t help, keep your eyes on where you are going
Or better yet, LET IT GO. What is in the past cannot be recovered, but what is ahead can be molded and create into a beautiful future.
Why do we so often forget this?
I’m guilty of always tearing myself down for past performance.. It is so easy to go back and see what you did wrong playing the “shoulda, coulda, wouda” mind game. DON’T.. During a race, if you continually beat yourself up, you’ll waster energy and miss your goal. You may have been able to run a faster pervious mile, but you didn’t. So let it go, whatever it is, just let it go and try your best in the future, you WILL reach what you want. Always look ahead, learn from what you have done, let it go, and do better and EARN THAT MEDAL!
I know someone right now is struggling with an obstacle, in their personal life, work life, or fitness life. You need to hear this right now. Don’t become comfortably miserable in anything you do. Know you can change everything as long as you conserve your energy, be humble, and look ahead to the future! Every day be very optimistic!
EVOACTIVE 