The Race
So, those of you that read my post on Friday or follow me on any social media outlet may know that I ran a 1/2 marathon this weekend, so that pretty much sums up our weekend. I completed the 1/2 and now hours after the finish line, I can say that I did enjoy it, but I might have said differently right after the race. To be honest, I did NOT feel the best during the race, and I could list a bunch of excuses I am sure, but the truth is that running is unpredictable and every race isn’t going to be your best. Sometimes simply crossing the finish line is THE WIN! And completing a race period is an accomplishment and something to be proud of, no matter what the distance.
My sweet crew cheering me on as I cross the finish line.
Point blank, I did not meet my goal. My goal was lofty, but that’s what goals should be about. We don’t always meet our goals, but that is the beauty in a goal. If you made them too easy and met them every single time, you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough. Just like the saying, shoot for the stars. Seriously. I knew that my goal for this race may be pushing it based on my training, but honestly 7 miles in, I thought “I’m going to do it!”, I felt strong and could envision meeting the goal at the finish line, and then mile 9 came and one of my 1st thoughts was disappointment. I hit a wall and I felt terrible, and I instantly knew that I wasn’t going to meet my goal. I was running with a running partner who I had done a few training runs with and I hated to tell her to “go on”, but I knew that I couldn’t keep the pace we were running with the way I was feeling. It wasn’t that I was competitive with her, but just that competitiveness within myself to maintain that pace and meet my goal, it just brought that gut-wrenching disappointment to back down. Not to mention the fact that I had publicly announced this specific goal and blatantly failed…yet now, I don’t really consider it failing. We always have a choice, to complete, let go of the goal and give up, or keep on pushing. So, relatively, I kept on pushing, as much as my body would for the last few miles. I may not have run the 1/2 marathon in under 1:45 but I did finish and I am still proud of that simple fact and my results. Somehow, I actually placed 3rd in my age group, so I will take that for sure! It didn’t feel like it was my strongest or prettiest, but it also wasn’t my last, so 1:45, I will see you one day…
We did it! 3rd 1/2 (me) and 6th 1/2 (Eleanor) and hopefully another one in the Fall! Training and running with a running partner makes it so much easier! Thankful for Eleanor for the push!
The boys loved the cow bells!
The sweetest greeting post-race…although, I was literally about to fall over! HAHA
This cute finisher LOVED my medal!
The best cheerleaders!
I may have felt like collapsing, but had to attempt a finish line handstand. Thankful that Crawford wanted to spot me 😉
Other than the race….
Friday, I met Nelson for a late lunch date at Stella’s Southern Brasserie new location in Hollingsworth Park, sister restaurant to Stella’s Southern Bistro in Simpsonville. I love the French bistro feel of the new spot, as well as the great outdoor patio.
We had the Seared & Chilled Tuna Salad Nicoise and the Roasted Mushroom Grilled Cheese. So good! If i wasn’t planning on running a 1/2 the next morning, then I totally would have gotten the Brasserie Burger!
The rest of the weekend, I was pretty much in recovery mode. I was pretty dang tired and sore, so we took it pretty easy. On Saturday late afternoon, we headed over to Swamp Rabbit Cafe for a few beers and pizza….and of course, King of Pops for the boys. This is the perfect place to take 2 antsy boys that won’t sit still, because they can basically just run around and play while we sit and drink beer and eat pizza. The best kind of dinner…especially when I can’t move.
This Pull-Apart Bread was to die for.
The boys had a great time flirting with the King of Pops girl.
Crawford is loving being a big boy and handling the “plastic”.
Bare-bottom rain watching on Sunday….all day long.
HAPPY MONDAY! Already looking forward to Thursday when the rain goes away!
