What can I say? I'm still on cloud nine. I spent 10 years trying to finish a marathon in under four hours. In the last two since I achieved that goal, my time has quickly improved from 3:54 > 3:44 > 3:26. To put it into perspective, my marathon pace today is about the same as my 5K pace was from ten years ago. With my eyes set on my first 100 miler in a couple of weeks, I'm thankful that I am also recovering better than ever before. This was supposed to be a training run, but I decided I wanted to give it a full race effort. Fortunately, there aren't any lingering aches or nagging pains. I remember when finishing a marathon had me laid out for nearly a week. I've gotten so much stronger and faster that it feels like I've discovered a superpower.
Though it feels like all this has happened virtually over night, I recognize that this was years in the making. I've learned that you've got to love the process. Each day, getting out there patiently laying one brick at a time. Finding the beauty of each moment, whether that's in the company of great friends or in the solace and quiet of a cold and rainy night.
As I was pondering my list of goals last night, I dared to dream a new dream. Something I thought unthinkable until now. To my list I added "Earn a BQ." Perhaps, this is something to look forward to in my 40's when the BQ standard looks slightly more achievable at 3:15. Perhaps, it will come sooner. Who knows. Maybe the lesson for me now is to never say never - to remember that the unthinkable is still possible.
Finally, there's so much for which I am grateful, but most of all I am thankful for the support of my wife. It is with her support and patience that I am able to get out there six days a week. And though I run most of these miles solo, I am never alone. I carry with me thoughts of her and my daughter in my mind and on my heart. They inspire me. They keep me going.
Official chip time: 3:26:10
2 comments:
What an incredible journey Phi!!! And you are absolutely right that one must trust the process. I commend you for putting in the work and getting to see with your own eyes how much you've improved over the years. Kudos to Thuy for her forever support. I've gotten away from running and have been practicing yoga and there is a saying that may resonate with you... "practice and all is coming...on the mat and off of the mat" and also "be grateful for what your body is capable of doing today and be hopeful for what your body will be capable of doing tomorrow"
Congrats on your achievements!
Thank you for your kind words, Mary! Those words absolutely resonate with me. Thank you for sharing them.
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