This weekend the J&A Training Team finished our last cycle and we all completed our biggest runs of the season. For some it was their biggest ever. For others, it was the final long run of some grueling weeks. For me, it was the final push of hard work that started last summer in August.
Most of #teamawesome decided to push themselves to their limits Saturday. Most of the returning crew did their longest runs ever of 14 Miles. For the newbies, they still killed their first 12 Milers. And for the 8kers, they did awesome running the course. Thinking about this just made me proud. After doing two marathon training cycles back to back sometimes makes me forget how many miles 14 miles really is. But thinking about it makes me so proud of them. To think they decided to push their bodies a mile further than the toughest thing they have ever done is incredible. This is going to be very helpful come race day when they can tell themselves, "It's only a half". it was a tough day for most of them because one of their teammates, Elizabeth, got injured the week before and they dedicated the run to her. She was an integral part of #teamawesome and her positivity shines through everyday. The best part of Saturday was knowing as I held the rear of the group, the front pack waiting for two of their partners to finish. As a pacer and leader of the team, I know I have done my job right by seeing this.
I always tell people being a pacer is an awesome job. I get to watch and feel the emotions of what it's like each and every week a new runner hitting a new goal. It rejuvenates me. It motivates me on my own runs to realize how special running really is. What my team doesn't know is how thankful I am for them. I really can't wait to finish my race so that I can find out how they all did.
One of the quotes that our chalk master, Josh Wade, put down this weekend goes as follows: "If Your Dreams Don't Scare You They Aren't Big Enough". Well, my dreams do scare me. Running a marathon is like walking a thin line of epic proportions. It's a big ugly scary monster that everyone has to respect. Once you run one you understand this. Until that happens there isn't any advice that can explain that feeling when you are running your last few miles of a marathon. It is pure grit, strength and mental toughness.
Even though I have had an epic training cycle and really can't complain about my runs. I am still scared. I am scared of pushing myself. I am scared I might fail. I am scared I might let my team, friends, and family down. I am scared I am not good enough. But as I read that quote on Saturday, I am glad I am scared. Because as #thefitpetite said to me last week, "nervous means you care". And I do care. Everything I do in my life I have to be passionate about to do it.
No matter what happens Shamrock Weekend, my goal is 3:30.
But my bigger goal is to hear about how my #teamawesome succeeded. Some it will be their first half marathons, first Shamrock weekend, first 8k, or even a challenge.
