Count Down

9 days from Grandma's and I have a lot on my mind.  To many, the marathon distance is incomprehensible.  26 miles and 385 yards is further than most people like to drive in a day but on June 16, for the 18th time, I will attempt to run that distance as fast as I know how.  I can't remember a training cycle that I was so committed to and in truth that is because I have never put in this many miles.

In the marathon, anything and everything can happen on race day.  The marathon distance is so unique because it challenges the human body to push harder and faster then it should be capable.  I mean no disrespect to ultra runners but their is a huge difference in mind set between running a marathon well and completing an ultra race.  The marathon takes the unique patience of mixing distance with speed.  Go out to fast and you can forget about finishing strong.  Go out to slow and you will scramble at the end for your goal time.  However, taking it out at that perfect pace.  The pace where you go this feels easy but you are still working hard, that is what it is all about in the marathon.

Last night, one of my good running club friends had a shirt on that read, "It is not about how hard you can hit.  It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."  This sums up the marathon in my mind.  Once again you have a unique aspect of the marathon because you are not physically getting hit by anyone.  Rather, it is an object (the course) which is taking it blows against you.  Even worse is when you realize the course has won and you didn't even realize you were getting hit.  However, where their is defeat, their is also victory.  Their are the strong, who push through and persevere no matter what the course throws at them.

I have done everything right in preparing for this marathon.  Thousands of miles run, huge mile weeks, long runs, speed work, tempo work, and the commitment to get out their no matter how motivated I was.  I have mentally prepared to push myself beyond the invisible wall and to keep running even when things become challenging.  I have run a variety of distance races and completed them in times that I could only dream about 6 months ago.  This does not equal success on race day and I know it.  What equal success is taking all this preparation and knowing that no matter how hard things will get, I will keep moving forward towards that finish line.