Forever Young

I recently ran the eastern states 20 miler. I was using it as my long run, first 20 miler in the books!, So was focused on trying to keep the pace relatively slow and more akin to a long run as a post to a race. I did pretty well with that attempt, running at an 831 pace. It was an OK run over all. I had some mental issues pretty quickly into the run and had a hard time staying focused but I was able to finish it. I can’t tell if I am just sort of burned out with long-distance running or if it was something more to do with the day. Who is to say. Shrug. What I will say is that course is probably one of the prettiest that I’ve run on. It was also a great weather day for that race. This time of year is always tricky and you never know what you’re going to get. Even though I did have a hard time in the race it did go smoothly and it made me appreciate something that is very unique to long-distance runner: I went out and did 20 miles like it was just a typical Sunday. Sure I was pretty tired a little sore and definitely starving but it was something that I was able to do and do with relative ease. There is a lot of history in a lot of work that went into getting me to that point but it is still something that’s pretty awesome and unique. Even as I wander what this next Marathon will bring and if I at all have a chance of qualifying I’m trying to remember how lucky I am to be a part of the sport and to be above average at it. I’m not a professional and I’ll never make money off of it but I am a little bit more talented than your average Joe at it. It’s something that makes me unique and something that I enjoy so even through the long run. Physically demanding or mentally difficult it’s good to remember that this is something that I get to do not something that I have to do.