5:41:09
The race report will have to wait a little while, but I ran the 25th Annual Keybank Vermont City Marathon yesterday in Burlington, Vermont. I knew going in that I was under-trained, and that I was probably going to struggle, and that the weather was going to be CRAPPY, and all of those were true.......but I didn't quit.
I'm more than a little sore today (right heel tender, but actually not too bad....the real problem is now my left achilles tendon, as I was probably compensating for the right heel and landing differently on my left....ugh!) but so proud of myself for fighting through the self-doubt and negative thoughts that hit me around the 10-mile mark and fighting the good fight all the way to the line. Even though the wheels REALLY came off the wagon in the 2nd half (and REALLY REALLY came off the wagon between miles 20 and 26.2), I thought about my son at home.....I want to instill all the good values all fathers want for their sons (and daughters!), but particularly the value of persistence and perseverance. I didn't want to try to explain to him that Daddy quit his race because he was having a bad day. I cried in my wife's arms just past the finish line.......tears of frustration and relief. It was BY FAR my toughest race.......and I didn't quit.
Full race recap to come later.....
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO so proud of you for not giving up!!! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by your grit! I followed your race via the live tracking and rooted you on the whole way. I'm so happy you were able to finish.
ReplyDeleteTime to be good to yourself, heal that achilles up, and....live to run another day. This race will certainly serve as an awesome learning for a future race. The medals I'm most proud are those I clawed me to.
Congratulations!!!!!!
Way to hang in there! The toughest runs are sometimes the ones we learn the most from, right? Good job. :)
ReplyDeleteWe knew you could and would do it! Great job!
ReplyDeleteIt's not always easy, pretty or fun but finishing & sticking with it Especially when it's hard & awful is crazy satisfying! Well done!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI learned the other day that sometimes it's not about how fast you are or how great the race is, sometimes it comes down to just finishing. Great job not quitting and getting it done!
ReplyDeleteYou did it!!!!
ReplyDeleteProud does not even begin to cover it, well done - wish I could give you a hug right now but will have to hug my family instead xx
Way to hang in there! Sounds like a tough race!!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you!
ReplyDeleteBill, I'm a lot late on my comment... sorry.
ReplyDeleteDude you did great out there. These are the types of races that either make you or break you. As tough as it was, you didn't quit and you finished the damn race!! I'm am proud of you brother. You son is proud of you too!!
Now rest and heal up. You've earned it. You've got plenty of other marathons ahead of you!