Stress and emotions got the best of me this week. I knew I had to start loading up on carbs and hydrating to prepare for my big day on Saturday, but I went a little crazy with the sweets as I always do when something major is about to happen. Wednesday and Thursday consisted of candy binges and brownies. I had a really stressful day Wednesday, so in typical Shannon fashion, I drowned my sorrows in a tub of Moose Tracks.
I was so anxious about my race the entire week that I barely slept at all. My poor students must hate me; I had very little patience this week and it showed.
Here's the kicker: I spent the entire week freaking myself out about this race even though I ran 13.5 miles the Sunday before. Nanci agreed to meet me in Coldwater, which is the town I work in, if I ran there. I set out on the hottest day in months and ran across two towns. I was dehydrated because I'm so accustomed to running in 45-50 degree weather. It was 65 and the sun was directly over me the entire run. I had to stop once at Sonic for some water. By the time I reached the Dollar General to meet Nanci, I was basically foaming at the mouth and dripping sweat from head to toe. You'd think I would have felt a little more prepared for my race, but I didn't feel as mentally prepared as I would have liked.
So about the race... My parents got into town yesterday night. We spent some time catching up, but we were all exhausted by 9:30. The race was in Tuscaloosa, which is about a 2 hour drive. We decided to leave at 4:45 a.m. to make sure I would have plenty of time to pick up my race packet and get through traffic. I set my alarm for 4:15. I figured I could rest on the way, and it's not like I had to wake up and put my face on...
I woke up at 3:40 to turn the heat down and fell back asleep. Next thing I know, I shoot out of the bed because I knew we had overslept. When I checked my phone, the time was 4:40, just 5 minutes before we were supposed to be walking out the door. My mother is incapable of getting ready in less than an hour, so I gave up on the idea that we'd be on time for this event. As it turns out, my mom had contracted some sort of stomach bug and was incredibly sick to her stomach. She had been up all night vomiting and running a fever. We expected the weather to be bad. The news was calling for rain and snow all morning, but the race was happening regardless. We forced her to stay home. She didn't like it, but it was better than feeling completely miserable in 36 degree weather.
My dad, Blakely, and I were out the door by 5. My adrenalin was in over-drive. It was like the scene from Home Alone where the family is late for their flight and everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off only with much more profanity.
I knew my family and Blakely would be miserable in this weather. I pretty bribed them with delicious gourmet donuts for breakfast. Watching my dad experience a red velvet donut for the first time without me was nothing short of torture. I bought 2 knowing that I would reward myself post-race, so I had to wait. Surprisingly, we weren't late at all! We arrived perfectly on time. I was able to pick up my packet, potty, and warm up. The sun came out momentarily but the wind was strong and slapped us like a ton of bricks across the face. Luckily, it stopped raining in the early morning hours and the light snowfall had let up for the time being. I approached the starting line and had to leave my boys behind. Even though I had already run 13 miles, I felt like I was setting out on accomplishing the most important goal I had ever set for myself. The race made it feel so official.
I'm not sure if you really understand what I mean when I tell you it was cold. I have run in cold weather, I've run in rain and sleet, but never in my worst nightmares have I run in such harsh conditions. It was bone chilling, face numbing, stock up on bread and milk because you're not leaving the house for a few days cold. My fingers, face, and toes were numb before the race even started. I knew my body temperature would rise as I ran, but I questioned whether or not it would rise enough to bring feeling back into my appendages (it didn't).
My goal was completion. I am insanely competitive, so I have been practicing on pacing myself during my daily runs to prepare my mind for a slower race. I was not concerned with time or placement. I simply wanted to live to tell about it. The first 6-7 miles were like cake. I felt strong and ready to take on the next. I even managed to pass a few people that had left me in the dust in the first leg of the race. I was enjoying exploring the town of Tuscaloosa, so it really didn't feel like a lot of work. The first leg had 4 hills that I can remember. The first two were not so bad, but the other 2 were fairly steep. Since my trail race, I have developed a hatred/fear of hills. I made it up them no problem and reminded myself that the heavy breathing was only temporary.
I was running up the steepest hill of the race, when I noticed a woman in a wheelchair and two other women beside her cheering her on as she slowly pushed herself up the hill. Once I realized that the woman was also intellectually disabled, I ran beside them for a moment to cheer her and her coaches on. That moment was so profound. Here I am, feeling all high and mighty because of my accomplishments, and this woman, with more limitations than I will ever know, is competing alongside me. I was overwhelmed with inspiration. Witnessing such determination lit a fire in me. I am a healthy, typically functioning young woman, and I had absolutely NO excuses for not giving it my all. It was just the motivation I needed!
By mile 9, I had blown my nose in my sleeve so many times that my nose chapped. My lips were dry and wind burned and my chapstick was completely frozen. More than once, I caught myself drooling without realizing it because I had absolutely no feeling in my face whatsoever. I was also experiencing some pretty insane shin splints. The last 4 miles of the race were the hardest part. I kept reminding myself that 4 miles was a light run for me and I tried to forget about the miles I already knocked out. The view was awesome during the last leg! We ran beside the river and through a park. I'd give anything to be able to run there everyday. The race ended at the Tuscaloosa Ampetheatre. As I approached it, I tried to pick up the pace. We circled the building and as I entered the ampetheatre to cross the finish line, I laid my eyes of Blakely and my dad. Their noses were blood red but they were in the front row, cheering as loudly as they could. My face lit up and I managed to scrounge up the energy to cross the finish line at a sprint. I received my medal and was greeted by hundreds of people cheering me on, but the thing that mattered most was that my dad and boyfriend were there to see me do it.
Completing this race was like nothing I've ever felt before. Partially because I was so cold that I couldn't move my mouth. I looked and felt like I had a stroke. I felt high, probably because I ran 13.1 miles, but mostly because this race was my way of kissing the 285 girl that I used to be goodbye forever. It 4 years, I have lost the weight of an average sized teenager. I have earned the title runner. Running, an activity that I literally used to fear and avoid, has become my favorite hobby. It was a little over a year ago that I completed my first 5k, and in such a short amount of time, I have increased my distance by 10 miles. I can never go back; I refuse to go back. The feeling of accomplishment and pride that I experienced today was more satisfying than any fried food or chocolate covered treat. I am a different person, a better person. Although, I did devour that red velvet donut immediately upon arriving home.
Here are some pictures from the race! Some are pre-race, and the ones where I look like I can't move my jaw are post-race. Thank you for your support and for reading. You guys are my biggest motivation.
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