You just have to laugh...

This past weekend, I had a half marathon on the calendar. It's in my hometown and I look forward to it every year. While I wasn't planning to PR, I was hoping to have a good race.

Plans change...

Late Friday night, I woke up to go to the bathroom and walked back to my bedroom...in the dark. Well, I slammed/stubbed my pinky toe into the dresser (I think). Several thoughts went through my mind as I held my foot. The pain...oh the pain!

I really really wanted a good night's sleep, so I crawled back into bed, without looking at my toe. After about 10 minutes, the throbbing stopped, and I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up 7 hours later...remembering that I'd had a little mishap. My toe was at least twice its normal size and changing colors. OOPS! I've broken toes before, so I was fairly certain it was broken.

I tried to put my running shoes on, just to see, and that wasn't very fun. It felt so crunched in the shoe. I was a good girl, though, and elevated my foot. I even iced it!

Of course I was still planning to run my half the next day...stupid, I know. As I looked at the course route, I realized they'd made some changes, due to flooded trails. The course was going to be a bit boring and slightly more challenging.

It rained (for the millionth time this month) all night long. When I woke up on race day, it was STILL raining. Ugh! My shoe went on easier, so I took that to be a good sign. I picked up my friend and we headed to the race.

At this point, it was still raining, so I opted to leave my Shuffle in the car. I saw a ton of familiar faces, which was so fun.

Just as the race started, the rain stopped. Um...dang, I could have had music?

My friend took off and I just kept my own pace. I wasn't sure what I'd be able to do, let alone run the whole 13.1 on a bum toe. My plan was to quit, if necessary.

The first 4 miles were a bit of a chore, I was just telling myself anything I could to get to mile 5. By mile 5, I was convincing myself to make it to 7 miles. Actually, the last 8 or so miles, weren't too bad. My toe didn't bother me too much (thank goodness it's my pinky toe), until the last few miles. I'd say the humidity/muggy weather bothered me the most.

It turns out the course was shortened on race day, due to rain, so it was a 20K.

As I came around the final stretch, I saw members from my running club, my parents, my brother, sister-in-law, and their kids cheering me on. Seeing those kids brought the biggest grin to my sweaty face!

So here's my point (and the reason for the title of this post). Sometimes, things just don't go your way. But, you just have to laugh and embrace it a little. I'm not trying to be Sally Sunshine (ok, maybe a little), but I could have had the WORST attitude during this race.

1) I've got a broken toe - not ideal for running any distance, certainly not 12+ miles
2) The course has changed and is a bit more difficult, to me (on a street I hate)
3) The weather - very muggy and gross
4) No music (anyone who knows me as a runner, knows I prefer music and it gives me a
boost)

These four reasons alone, are enough for me to get super irritated and just not want to do it at all. But, I saw all of these familiar faces (ahead of me and behind me) and it just made me smile. And the fact is, everyone looked a little miserable. But it's that sort of miserable that is secretly happy...know what I mean? It sort of bonds us as runners.

I finished the 20K in 1:52:44 (9:05 pace). Considering I walked a bit a few times (and the reasons mentioned earlier), I was pleased.

The thing is, running is basically a hobby for me. It keeps me fit, sane, and usually happy. But having a bad race or less than ideal conditions, shouldn't get the best of you.

I have a friend who is out of work, a cousin with a baby in the hospital, and I'm sure there are so many other people suffering hardships. THESE are real problems that deserve care and attention.

Me having a crappy race? Not so important in the scheme of things.

Confidence Boost!

Yesterday, I ran a local race that commemorates the flood that hit Iowa 2 years ago, "Run The Flood." The race route (7 miles) takes you through many of the flooded neighborhoods and you can see where progress has been made and how far there is to go. I'm happy to support such a great cause.

But, I must say I didn't have high hopes for my performance at this race. For one, I've not run more than 5 or so miles since the marathon on May 2 (other than a slow 10 miler a week ago).

I've been running on the treadmill lately (I know, I know...) as well. I can't stand humidity and heat. There, I've said it. And no, I don't want to become tougher by suffering in it. Also, I've been trying to get back into a regular lifting routine. It's quicker for me to hop off the treadmill and go straight to the weights. If I run from my house, there's about 2% chance I'll go lift at the gym afterwards.

Aside from those things, I've just been kind of blah about running lately. I think the La Crosse Marathon really bummed me out. Of course, I've been running regularly, but just not very pepped up about it.

So, going into this race, I was thinking it would be a fun run - with NO expectations. I PR'd at this race last year, but didn't feel like that was realistic this year.

Add to that, the awesome forecast - 80 degrees with 90% humidity...and rain. Um, woohoo?

Alright, I decided I'd go run the race and plan on finishing anywhere between an hour to an hour and 10 minutes. Honestly, I'd have been happy with ANY time in that window, considering my attitude and the weather.

I found a bunch of my fellow CVRA club members at the start and got ready.

Mile 1 - I took off fast and then after a bit, realized I was running a 7:20 pace. While I dream of doing that consistently someday, I wasn't in any shape or attitude to do that to myself for the first mile. So, I made a concious effort to slow down a bit. I hit mile 1 at 7:53.

Mile 2 - I was feeling ok and tried to settle into a decent pace. I hit mile 2 at 8:20.

Mile 3 - Well, by now I was feeling pretty toasty (thank the LORD that the sun wasn't out). But, I tried to hold pace. I hit mile 3 at 8:22.

Mile 4 - At this point, I told myself that I was nearly half done and could do whatever I wanted for the second half. I hit mile 4 at 8:24.

Mile 5 - I was getting a little tired, but still trying to keep pace. I hit mile 5 at 8:36.

Mile 6 - When I saw that I hit 5 miles around 41:00, I did some quick math. Basically, I could run 9 minute miles for the last 2 and still finish under an hour. Since I honestly thought I wouldn't be finishing in an hour, this made me happy. I'm pretty sure I slowed down and "phoned in" the 6th mile. I hit mile 6 at 8:42.

Mile 7 - OK, 1 mile to go, so I might as well push it. By now, I'm positive I'll finish under an hour (unless something horrible happens). But, I still was doubtful of a PR. When I had about a half mile left, I was looking for the finish. They revamped it this year, so it was different than I remembered. All of a sudden it was in front of me - oops! So, I went as hard as I could. Mile 7 was 8:01.

I could see the clock and thought I could at least tie my time from last year. When I got home, I realized that I actually set a PR! My final time was 58:19. (Last year's time - 58:29) Woohoo!

I'm one of the biggest whiners about weather, so I am very excited that I set a PR in less than desirable conditions. It could have been much worse, had the sun been out or the rain come down harder. We even felt a breeze from time to time - which was heavenly!

This was a huge confidence boost for me right now. I have a half marathon at the end of the month and hopefully it will go well.