Hotter Than Hades, hosted by Fitness Collaborative, was my second virtual race of the summer and the run that almost didn't happen. From only 4 hours sleep, my new Garmin not working, to having to go to the bathroom at mile 6 and the bathroom is chained and locked. I was so tempted to cancel from the time I woke up. Miles 1-4 or so were a struggle. Miles 5-8 I was just kind of there. Enjoying my friend's company more than the run itself. Then mile 9...something just clicked. I put on my iPod. Turned it up. And ran.
Feeling like a new different person. My Garmin still wasn't working on the setting I needed (I have since figured out what I was doing wrong) so I had to do with running 3 mile increments and restarting. Didn't even bother me! My last 4 miles were sub 9:32 each. I tried to figure out why the change of heart and attitude. I didn't question it. I just ran :)
So. As I finished the last 1.1 mile it occurred to me...the only run I regret is the one I didn't do. Had I not stuck with it I would have missed that feeling. That feeling of going from I don't even want to do this to feeling empowered. Like I've said 100 times before...feeling like I can do anything.
13.1 humid miles is not pretty in the end. Remember the 4 hours sleep? Look at those dark circles!
My next virtual race? I'm running HTH Half again next Saturday. This time my Garmin will be on the right distance setting so I can enter for a prize :)
Great job getting it done! I am with you on the only runs I regret are the ones I don't do.
Posted by: Christy | July 16, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Thanks. I needed to read this - especially about the only regret - after the hellish run I had yesterday. And it wasn't even hot here...
Posted by: Ren | July 17, 2011 at 04:31 AM
WOOHOOOOOO!!!!! YAY YAY!! You're a supahstar!!!!
Great photos too!! Is it okay if we feature your photos in the newsletter or on the site? THANKS!
Posted by: Greta | July 17, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Way to go Jill! Great job persevering! That's inspiration for me to run too!
Posted by: Janice | July 17, 2011 at 08:00 AM
way to go!! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | July 17, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Woohooo way to go Jill!!!!
Posted by: sharon | July 17, 2011 at 02:58 PM
way to go! My garmin acted up this weekend when I ran too, well actually it didn't work at all? congrats on another race in the books!
Posted by: Tina | July 18, 2011 at 07:50 PM
My Garmin problem was operator error LOL
Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault
Posted by: jillconyers | July 18, 2011 at 08:53 PM