Not my end-goal, giving that I even had one in mind.
My goal had been the same all spring/summer. Just run.
I have, on a few occasions, started running and had hoped to run something further then 6.2 miles (10k)
but despite even registering for disney marathon for Jan 2011 (Thought I would be able to round up people to go with
me-- turns out everyone was busy) I didn't want to go storm disney world by my lonesome. So my running
slacked for the rest of 2011. Got a few runs in here or there. But more to enjoy a day then training to run myself
into a better runner.
Tomorrow (august 4th 2012, as it were) I was going to start a half-marathon.
The LEGEND. 1/2 marathon(-10 mile- 5 mile option also)
Through the trails of sleepy hollow state park.
Every syllable excited my thoughts as I tried to sleep.
I had already stayed up much later then I wanted working on my playlist. (Music has been a huge motivator for my running game)
What if I overslept? What if 2 miles in the race I feel the effects of only 5 hours of sleep. Now 4.
Relax. This is just another run. Bloody and crawling I will still cross that finish line. Relax. You've run
further then this on a training run.
Fast forward to the next morning. I am in the third wave of a crowded starting line.
Smiling and excited.
An Uncle Fester looking fella' to my left sneezes. I hear this through silent ear phones. Waiting for the gun to shoot
to hit play.
"Thank you." He says and smiles. I nod- we share a thumbs up.
Bang. "reluctantly crouched at the starting line"
In retrospect my pace was much to fast and my first mile was my fastest.
But the crowd was thin and the thrill of the multi-passes and the cringe of being passed had caught me and
I just went with the music.
Slow.Down. I think as the first mile is behind us and we pass through a campground (no true trail action yet)
A few youngsters waited on dirt bikes near the entrance of the trail and applauded the passing crowds of
runners.
In my head phones the crowd cheers as Tom Waits steps on a stage to start Lucinda from the glitter and doom tour.
The trail has a few roots to hop. But is shaded and fun.
The wave starts works out well as we are a thin crowd of a medium sized army. wage war on the clock.
A few rolling hills pass under my feet.
Half way done and still feeling strong.
My shoes - ascis-gel cummilus are reminding me that my ankles are a pinch to small for their liking.
Raw. I feel it. But the tinge doesn't slow me down.
The shade of the forest parts way with the trail and we are reminded we are under a hot august sun.
More sweat licks the rawness.
But we are about 8-9 miles in.
Lust for life is on my headphones and feels more then a power song. It feels like a power animal directing me.
My shoes start feeling heavy and by the end of the song the sun is still kicking my ass even as shade is found along
the sleepy hollow trail.
good runner distribution and keep passing.
I am still moving forward and running. now being passed a little. is okay-we all race against the same clock.
The ankle/shoe issue is pushed through even if it does start slowing me down.
(Lesson learned- next day I acquired some Brooks cascadia. A much better fit)
i should have paid more attention but now use crying now i had a half-marathon to finish.
soon we exit the woods and run along the parking lot that my vehicle is waiting for me.
"The finish is right around the corner!" a man cheering tells me.
playlist:
The Distance/Cake
Lucinda / Ain't Goin' Down To The Well [Live]//Tom Waits
Hurricane/Bob Dylan
Walk On The Water/Creedence Clearwater Revival
On Melancholy Hill /Gorillaz
Reasons/Built to Spill
Where Is My Mind?/Pixies
First Day Of Spring/The Gandharvas
Roadhouse blues/Doors, The
Our Swords/Band Of Horses
Rooster/Alice In Chains
Would?/Alice In Chains
Weed Party/Band Of Horses
Exodus/Bob Marley
Midnight Rider/The Allman Brothers Band
Time Will Tell/Bob Marley & The Wailers
Lust for Life/Iggy Pop
Vamos (Surfer Rosa)/Pixies
Ghost Rider/Henry Rollins Band
Get Behind The Mule [Live]/Tom Waits
Break My Body/Pixies
You Could Be Mine/Guns N' Roses
(Ghost)Riders In the Sky /Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson
Riders On the Storm/The Doors
