My brother is my best friend. I've told you guys that before, but I'll say it again. Just when I had given up on the race, there was my brother at the 5K mark, ready to jump in. He had woken up at 8am (the time of the race) and got to the 5K point in just over 11 minutes (2 miles away from his apartment) in hopes to see me. Just so you know, that means he sprinted to the 5K mark (at 5:30 pace) and made it there mere minutes before I showed up.
I didn't think he was jumping in so I waved and told him I felt awful and then pulled over on the side of the road and started {are you ready for it- my apologies} puking. I had nothing in me except water so it wasn't that disgusting {okay that's probably a lie}. He came up behind me and said "Let's finish this. Don't give up." So I stopped looking at my watch and ran. With my brother next to me, walking through every water stop, listening to my brother tell me stories, we ran to the finish line.
I finished in just under 56 minutes and just over 9 minute pace. But the point is... I finished when I didn't think I could.
55:58 9:01 Liz C
And I'm not sure I could have or would have done it without my brother. I know I'm lucky to have such a huge role model in my life who wants me to succeed sometimes more than I want to. I'm privileged to have Mikey in my life- so thank you!
1) I hate the heat
2) I should probably try to eat/drink fluids before I run
3) I need to stick to 5Ks
4) No more signing up for races unless my heart is into it.
I love running but it doesn't always love me back. However, Wednesday was the exception. I took a personal day from work and got over to the track. When I showed up, it started down-pouring and I loved every second of being out there. It brought me back to high school where I loved everything about that oval.
Times-
200: 44 seconds
200: 47 seconds
200: 47 seconds
200: 47 seconds
400: 1:43
400: 1:39
400: 1:34
400: 1:32
Overall, I was happy with this workout. And it makes me think I need to get to the track more often. Thats where my running love is : )
So two different days, two different opinions on running and what it means to me. Everyday is not going to be my day but with encouragement and determination you can always get to the finish line.
Oh... anyone else obsessed with USA Track and Field Championships? I've DVR'd as much as I could and just watched the Men's 1500 online. Matt Centrowitz beat Bernard Lagat to win! Centrowitz is my college coaches son. So impressive! Check it out here if you haven't yet.
Have you ever wanted to drop out of a race before?
ugh today was soo hard for me to. at one point i just through the garmin to aaron and to hell with it. congrats on finishing!! Don't be so hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteLizzy - I'm sorry that today wasn't you're day. Running can be so fickle like that. Sometimes we feel like rockstars and other times it's a death march, but it's great that you can always take away something from a run. Each race is a learning experience. I totally feel ya on the race burnout. Unless your heart is in, it's really hard to have a great race.
ReplyDeleteThis summer, it's all about having fun! Running, biking, and living it up!
Oh LORD have I ever wanted to drop out of a race.... YES! I went into all three of my half marathons coming off an injury and it would have been so easy to drop out. Instead I completed all three with a smile on my face! When your heart is in it, you'd be surprised at what you can do!
ReplyDeleteOh LORD have I wanted to drop out of a race- I went into all three of my half marathons coming off an injury and initially wanted to call it quits. Luckily I sucked it up and completed each race with a smile on my face! It is amazing what you can do if your heart is in it! It's a concept I'm learning every day. Congrats on finishing your race despite the struggle!
ReplyDeletesounds like this was a brutal race, but I was so encouraged by your will to stick it out. you brother rocks!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on finishing! Your brother is awesome for helping you through like that. I try not to sign up for too many races in the summer because I definitely start getting burnt out by the heat.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had a rough race. Your brother is a great guy for jumping in with you. I feel the same way about exercise in general. Some days are good, some days are bad. Once we tell ourselves its a "bad" day, the mental part takes over. I'm glad you're feeling in better spirits about it. Oh, your brother's cute by the way :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry it just wasn't your race. I have times when I definitely want to drop out of a race, but I just slow down then write it in my training log as a training run. The heat is the worst!
ReplyDeleteYour brother is amazing — and so are YOU. You've got a good, strong head on your shoulders and it's clear you're a smart runner. You're going to have more tough races, but you're going to have a million more amazing ones. You inspire me. I like you.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i thought it was going to be a good day for running, but man, not.so.perfect. this is such a great post for many reasons, but how awesome is your brother? glad he was there to help you finish, mad props after getting sick!! I tend to sign up for fewer races, to keep myself excited for each and every one, but there are certainly days when my heart isn't in it and I just need a break. There will be more awesome races and track workouts in your future, that's for sure :)
ReplyDeleteLizzy: way to hang in there. Having four brothers they are the greatest shoulders of strength. And I think Melissa wants a date with your brother!
ReplyDeleteAw, I love that you are so close with your brother! My brother is my running idol too (along with my mom) :) I'm sorry you felt so crappy but I'm so proud of you for finishing. When you don't feel good and you're feeling negative, I know how hard it can be to stay in it. I hope you can get these stomach issues worked out.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, yes I have wanted to drop out before - I felt the same way about it as you, that I wouldn't have finished without Ben to help me.
Great job toughing it out this weekend. Summer running can be brutal, and you should feel proud that you did your best given that it wasn't a great day for you.
I felt like I wanted to quit in my 10K this weekend, I have found that the 6.2 distance race is the hardest for me yet. I don't pace myself well at all, but I was able to finish without stopping and came in a little faster than I had expected! Glad you were able to finish it out and you are so incredibly lucky to have a brother like yours!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the crappy race, that happens to a lot of people. "racing" 6 miles is very difficult!
ReplyDeleteAww Lizzy! I am so, so sorry. There is nothing worse than running a poor race right after having such an awesome training run. Anyway, I am super proud of you for hanging in there and finishing the race. Sounds like your brother showed up at exactly the right time! I hope your next race goes much better :)
ReplyDeleteGood job pushing through anyway and thank god for your brother! :) I am learning wayyyyy too quickly to not run races my heart's not truly in--it's just not worth it.
ReplyDeleteThere have been numerous times during my runs that I feel like I can't complete because I'm either too tired, dehydrated, sore, etc., but somehow I always do because it's either walk or run and somehow it just happens. When it does, it feels amazing! Congrats on the race!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had such a rough race Lizzy, but you FINISHED! And that is pretty awesome. I'm glad Mike was there to push you through, and to help you keep going when you thought you couldn't. He really is an amazing guy.
ReplyDeleteI think your take-aways are good ... well, besides the stick to the 5K one. I KNOW you have it in you to master the 10K! :) But eating before a race is huge. I don't know how you run them with nothing in you. And of course it's always better if your heart is in the race. I hope your next one will be 100 times better.
On a more positive note, I'm glad you had a great track workout! I need your love of the track to rub off on me!
So cool that your brother gave you that strength. And congrats on finishing. This heat can be brutal. Even though my racing is over bc of my knee, I even feel it on my little 3-4 mile jogs. Your amazing for sticking with it!
ReplyDeleteUgh, brother to the rescue! Not every race is amazing. You always hope that somehow the crowd and the adrenaline will get you through it but if your heart isn't in it (and the heat doesn't help), it kind of feels like hell. Glad you still finished!!
ReplyDeleteAww I love that your brother ran with you! It's so much easier to finish with someone by your side. It was hot that day, and that really can take a toll on the body. I've never puked from running but I'm always afraid that might happen someday!! You still ran it faster than I would ever have :) Awesome job!!
ReplyDeleteLizzie, I was just looking in your archives because I'm trying to find a post you did about a roof top restaurant in Boston (am I crazy, or did you write about this sometime recently?) but instead, I came across this post that I somehow missed in my Reader. I am so inspired that you finished a race after getting sick. The most I'll run is a 10K and that's a struggle for me - last summer I barely finished a 5K on the Cape because it was SO hot and there were no water stations the last mile. I hadn't prepared at all (I may have even been hungover), and I hate to admit this, but if I hadn't had my friend running with me and my parents waiting at the finish, I would have probably given up.
ReplyDeleteBut mostly, I wanted to agree with you that brothers are the best! This morning my brother George helped me move my couch, a desk, a dresser, a huge rug, 2 side tables and 2 bookshelves out of my FOURTH FLOOR apartment. It is 90 degrees out! I feel so lucky to have him in my life, because I know he really just wants to see me happy and successful.
I love your blog! Thanks for writing.
Vanessa
oops, I totally just spelled your name wrong. sorry :(
ReplyDelete