A race that I want to forget, but am glad to have experienced.
In December of 2022, I stumbled across some videos of races that documented individuals attempting to run 100-miles. Most of my experience with running came in Junior High when I ran the 800 and 4×1, both sprint events. Long distance running has never been on my purview. I didn’t even think someone could run 100 miles! Still, something inside me wants to attempt it. So, to that end, I signed up for two races in February: a 20k (Cabin Fever Reliever) and a Half-marathon (Yeti).
My training for the 20k consisted of running some trails nearby when I could find the time. I wasn’t very focused and definitely didn’t follow a plan. I ran anywhere from 3 to 6 miles each time around 2 – 3 times per week. My approach was to use these races as training for longer distances and I set my goal to finish in under 2 hours, which I thought would put me solidly in the middle of the group. The day of the race came, and I planned to arrive about 15 minutes early to stretch and warm up; however, about halfway to the race, my wife called and said that I forgot my shoes! So, I turned around and raced home, grabbed my shoes and drove as fast as I dared to the race. I arrived with about 5 minutes to spare! I put my shoes on, ran to the bathroom, ran from the bathroom toward the start line, had to pause about 200 ft from the start for the National Anthem, and, finally, as I approached the start line the race began! No warmup, no stretching. Anyone that has ever run a race, no matter the distance, knows how easy it is to start too fast. Music and adrenaline pumping, the countdown, then you’re off! And like a fool, I kept up with the pack. My first two miles were around 8 minutes, which is not fast, but for me it was too fast.
The course was an out and back 10k on country roads nestled amongst farms and forest. The start of the race took place at the local High School. There were two aid stations, one about 2 miles from the start and then the start line itself. The aid stations were full of volunteers that were encouraging and always ready with water or Gatorade. Thank you volunteers!
For me, running has been a humbling experience. During my first 5k years ago, I was passed by a 70 year old and multiple people pushing their kids in strollers. This race was no different. Around mile 3, I was passed by two Ladies that were probably in their 60’s (I’m pretty confident in that guess). It was quite a casual race for them, they discussed family and life while passing me. I made a comment to them as they passed, trying to be funny, but I am not sure it was intelligible with my heavy breathing and the spit flying from my mouth. Still, they laughed as they passed. Later, as I was about a mile away from the finish line, they passed me heading back out onto the course. I found out they just used the race as part of there training and needed to get 8 more miles in that day!
As far as the race went, not much else happened. I continued getting passed while getting more and more exhausted. At the halfway point, I considered stopping, but couldn’t live with the thought of calling my wife and telling her that I was on my way home and didn’t finish, so I kept on. By the end of the race, every part of my lower body was in pain. I crossed the finish line, walked over to my family and while hugging them told my Wife to not let me sign up for any more races. She laughed and said, “You have a half-marathon in two weeks!”
This was a tough race for me. I finished 2nd to last with a time of 1:59:01. It was the furthest I had ever run at one time. I had to force myself to keep running. I had to ignore pain. I had to be ok with being inferior to those I would have normally felt superior to (athletically speaking). Not that I expected to win! That was never a notion I had entertained. I thought I was in better shape than I was. I needed to be humbled. It helped put my 100-mile goal into perspective. An unfocused plan will not cut it. I need to train properly and follow a plan that will actually prepare me for the challenge. A lesson that can be applied to anything we want in life.