I ran my 10K this past weekend and I beat my personal 10K record by 8 minutes! I finished in 1:11, which isn't the most impressive time in the entire world, but I ran (jogged?) the entire time and if you had told me a year ago that I'd run for an hour straight some day, I would have taken a nap at the mere suggestion.
My first 10K, last November, was tough. I remember miles 4-6 being nearly impossible and I had to dig down deep into reserves I wasn't even aware I had in order to finish. This race was just the complete opposite. I wouldn't call it a breeze but miles 1-4 were actually really enjoyable and even those last two miles, when things got harder, I knew I could (and would) finish just fine and I'd feel great on the other side, which I did.
The race atmosphere helped a lot. I grew up going to dozens of races and there's still that same race magic today that I remember from my childhood. There's just nothing like "race day" in terms of inspiration and encouragement and community.
In fact, I went back to the Cowtown the next morning to see Natalie and Kristie run (and kick ass at!) the half-marathon, and I got to hang out around the finish line for about an hour and there's just nothing as inspiring as seeing hundreds of people -- all different shapes and sizes and ages -- pushing themselves toward a goal.
When things did get a little tough during my race, I thought of all the moviating words and emails and Twitter notes I've gotten from so many of you. I really do owe my little blog and the friends I've made through it so much. I don't think I'd be running races or meeting goals or trying to be better without you.
Thank you so much.
(Now, off to buy my necklace!)