Running Slow

Waking up this morning immediately took me back to a year ago. My destination was the Spencerport canal to meet my partner crime.  There is no better recipe to help start the day, the week off on the right foot!  It was foggy and a light rain began to fell, and I knew Pina was not going to be in love with the weather... but she also knows how rain and water doesn't bother me one bit.  (Infact, I kinda like it... but that's probably the Aquarius in me talking).

Three miles along the canal just like clockwork.  I swear I wish I knew how many times we took that route.  You would think it would get old and boring, and sometimes it does... but it also "brings me back to the basics" and holds a special meaning.  That gravel path is the place where I've learned so much about me as runner.... especially with the help of Pina who is able to see what I'm feeling and knows what I need without even saying more than a few words. Today "It hurts" is all that I needed to say.  "Give me 30 seconds" she says. And just like that, I knew this amazing runner and friend would somehow make running "fun" again.  Somehow in her bag of tricks and knowledge she'd take this bad point and help me work through it.  In my mind, I expected her to just slow me down gradually and bring me back to my normal 13:00 minute pace.  NOPE! That was the exact opposite of what she did.  Again, somehow she pushed me to increase my speed and 30 seconds later, she checked in and said, "how are you now?". 

It's incredible to think that this woman knows me as well as she does. All I needed to do was give her 30 seconds and she had made my body fall back into the groove allowing my breathing to get back on point. "I feel better" I exclaimed. 

We continued to run and she explained that all I needed to do was to get out of the 13's.  I gasped, "REALLY?" 

Thinking about this now, I should have known that was the answer.  Just like a child who needs constant reinforcement and continued reminding about any task in life... for some reason I seem to forget that very important fact. Insert (that overall theme about running) MIND OVER MATTER.  My mind is still stuck in the 13's while my body is slowly pushing to exceed more... and capable of running faster...and I'm holding it back.  Pina has been trying to get that concept ingrained in my brain forever it seems.  She has my complete trust in everything... why is my mind fighting her?

So, today I told her I'm turning over a new leaf.  We have big plans for the summer. (Don't we always have big plans, ha?) 

What moves me today? Allowing myself to grow a little faster in pace and telling my mind to shut the heck up.

On Wednesday I will face a trail race.  Dirt Cheap, here I come!  I have some pretty awesome trail shoes to break in and I can't think of a better way to do it.  James and Pina will both be there, along with some other awesome and tough friends who I look to for inspiration  I'm beyond excited!!!!!!

Dear Pina, Thanks for always being there to push and to show me how much more confident I need to be in myself. Whether I'm wearing sneakers or even just in plain shoes.  Your friendship and support is truly indescribable. I often hope that I give back just as much as you give me... but then I realize that in some way I probably (hopefully) do. I really do love you!!

Being a Spectator: Runners of Steel

Sneakers? CHECK. Race clothes CHECK. Bulletproof vest (aka "the really cool just-purchased at yesterday's expo" Under Armour undershirt) CHECK. Did you glide your feet? "Nope, doing it now....CHECK. Bib and gear? CHECK! 

After making sure she had everything, (including hugs from 'her girls') Pina left the hotel room and was off to go run the Pittsburgh Half Marathon.

We ate a quick breakfast and then filed out of the hotel, with our homemade signs (that were a bit awkward to carry) and coffee in hand. We headed to our first predetermined view point, Sixteenth & Liberty St.  Man, you could just feel the excitement in the air. I wasn't even running and still those happy nervous butterflies found their way to my stomach. We found a great spot and lined up next to others who were just as excited to cheer on their loved ones like us. The energy was AWESOME!!

We didn't need to wait long before waves of runners filled the street. Whether they tasked themselves to complete the marathon, half marathon or relay... they were 2 miles in on their journey at this point in the race. I think most were in good spirits as I scanned faces for Pina. Many smiled as they passed by the crowds of people, hearing the screaming words of encouragement. Many just looked determined, focused on that finish line. At first, the girls and I had to figure out how to gauge when Pina would pass by. All we knew was to "look for her in a blue shirt"... oh and that she enjoys running down the middle of the street. Can you imagine how many of the 20,000 plus runners were wearing a blue shirt?

We saw pacers holding signs, but then needed to distinguish if they were for the full or half. Lisa then reminded us that Pina was in corral D.... and we soon realized that there would be a break for each group. A's passed by, B's, C's...... And then came the D's. Like promised, Pina and her "I ran the Rochester Half Marathon" blue shirt came trotting passed us down the center of the street. She looked stronger than ever! We chanted "GO PINA" for a quick minute, and without wasting any time, we were off to our next spot.

At our second viewpoint, the waves of A,B,C & D runners had started to blend in a little. I began looking at the runner bibs passing by since it had their wave letter on the top right. We kept track of the pacers and the timed signs they were holding while also taking into consideration how fast Pina's "gazelle-legs" (to quote Carrie) were going at that part of the race.  Before long, we all saw that blue shirt happily strutting down the street. When Pina passed us this time, she was a lot closer  (Yay, we picked the right side) and Melinda got a great pic of her! She looked excited to see us and more of the signs we had made her!

The third and final time we saw Pina was around mile 12. We battled crowds and closed streets to find a great spot to watch her.  It was incredible seeing the caliber of athletes run pass, while thousands of people lined the big city streets. The four of us were proud, as we dawned our pink shirts that represented the NoBoundaries program and Rochester Fleet Feet Sports. We wore these pink shirts during NoBo 2.0 last summer, where we all became stronger runners and friends. We were united then, and were united now to cheer on our coach, mentor and friend.

The excitement grew at each viewpoint, but at this spot, it was overflowing! Live music and spectators gave these runners a huge welcome as they ran down the slope of the last bridge. I was anxious and excited and eagerly searched through the crowed of runners for Pina's face. We all did, unified in the task together to chant "Pina, Pina, PINA" the second we saw her.  And then, once again, there she was. 

Just typing these words brings back the goosebumps and emotions of seeing her achieve this huge accomplishment. She had a that strong smile on her face as she passed, knowing she was almost home. She was doing it!!! After that, we quickly regrouped, wiped the tear (or tears in my case) away so we could get to the finishing area to greet her!

I couldn't believe how emotional it was even just being a spectator this weekend. It was so fun cheering all these incredible athletes! It was rewarding to get grins and appreciation for my "random runner" sign. I know I always love running by complete strangers with brightly colored encouraging signs, and now it was my turn to be "that stranger"! 

This was such an amazing race to be part of. Maybe it's because I know now what running a half marathon means to a person. Or maybe it's because I was able to share this experience with "The Girls" to support Pina. 

It's probably both.

However, all I know is that I'll always remember this!

Thanks for an incredible weekend, Girls.
What moves me today? The FOUR of you do!