Well, it turns out that it was one of my most difficult training season's yet. It was the speedwork, and pushing through when it hurts to run all out. Mostly, it was mental. Making it to your track workouts when you dread the limit pushing pace, making it to mile 10 of a race pace tempo run, and running as hard as can on the last set of 200 meters when you have already ran 11 others. It was tough. I had a few speed bumps along the way, but I made it through. At the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, I ran the half and ran a 1:47:52! This is an 8:09 pace. Four seconds per mile short of my goal of 1:45:59. I did not reach my goal, but what I gained was even bigger. Having joy in my suffering and building mental strength is going to help me reach future goals and become a stronger athlete and person. Things like telling your mind that your going to run this fast so just get used to it. Telling yourself you can keep running even though you can't feel your legs. Peeing on yourself because you had no control (someone just told me about this one).
This training block was from January to April 29th 2012. I got to run in the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon on March 23rd, 2012. Unfortunately, I was sick. Like eyball and muscles sore sick. I told myself that I would not run if I was running a fever. I wasn't so I ran, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Note to self: never ever run a race sick unless you want to suffer something aweful. I ran a 1:50:22! I could not have ran any better on THAT day. I had to talk myself into everything during that race. My mind wanted me to quit. I won!
Well, I enjoyed one week off, then I was off to another adventure!
Results:
Age group: 10th of 889
Overall Females: 89th of 4994
Male and Female: 377th of 8157
