End of an Era

So, it is time to start writing again. Just a quick update on my St. George Marathon. My good friend Mike and I traveled to St. George the first week of October. This was to be my “A” race for the season. It was also my last scheduled race for the season. I new going into this race that if I were going to hit my target, I was going to have to go into the race completely focused and give everything I had in me. I spent three days before the race decompressing and just relaxing in the beautiful city of St. George. The morning of the race, Mike and I arrived at the start line on top of the mountain sometime around 4:30 AM. We quickly settled around one of the many bonfires set up to keep the runners warm. Though we really hadn’t discussed it, the plan was for each of us to run our own race. We both had a target of 3:20, but since I had done a majority of my training alone, I wanted to do this alone. The race started at 6:45 AM. I quickly settled into my groove. This truly was one of the most amazing races I have ever run. The sun rise coming up over the mountains was perfect. Though the crowds were small, they were enthusiastic. The volunteers were the best I have seen. I stayed on pace feeling really great until about mile 24 or 25. It was there that the fatigue of running down hill for three hours was starting to get to me. I slowed my pace a little but was still on target to finish in under 3:20. Then at mile 25.7, I collapsed. My body would not cooperate with me any more. I could not stand up, I could not walk, all I could do was sit on the street. Medical volunteers rushed out to me. They were all very nice, but all wanted me to quit. I explained to them that I could see the finish line and was not about to quit. I sat on the ground for about three minutes and then asked them to help me up. They said the only way they would allow me to continue was if I could stand and walk on my own. I stood and then started taking steps. Soon I was moving towards the finish line again. My time, a personal best of 3:23. I did not make my target, but I left with a sense of accomplishment knowing that I had given everything in my body to the race and there was nothing left to give. Will I ever have a 3:20 marathon? I don’t know and that really is not important anymore. The more important thing is to enjoy my running and rediscover the true pleasure of giving everything I have and leaving it all on the course no matter what course it is.