Five months and thousands of miles culminated on July 26th when I finished my first Half Ironman, the Headwaters, in 5 hours and 47 minutes. I was seventh overall and first in my age group.
When I got off of my bike after a 56 mile hammer fest and then had to run a half marathon, I wanted to cry. My weak mind wanted to quit, I knew for certain I'd never ever ever be able to run 13.1 miles. The sun was blazing by then. My knees were shredded. I was exhausted, done. I ran a mile on numb feet. Shuffling, I kept going. For about two hours all I could think was JUST.KEEP.GOING.
I didn't sprint the last mile, or even the last hundred yards, like I'd fantasized about for months during training. I barely even ran the last mile. But, I ran it. I kept going when the only thing I wanted to do was stop; when I could hardly contemplate starting that run in the first place, I put one foot in front of the other and I just kept going.
Apparently you have to physically be in Coeur d'Alene to sign up for the race the following year. I guess I'm driving out to Coeur d'Alene in late June.
3 comments:
JUST.KEEP.GOING.
Props, Casey. Mad props.
Nice job! Just keep putting one foot in front of the other... that's what I told myself this weekend, too!
I think most of the M-dot ironman events are going the route of having to be on-site in order to sign up. That is how Madison (IM WI) is too. BUT, if you get the opportunity, volunteer on the course!
Usually, volunteers get race-registration priority (right behind the folks that did it the day before and want to sign up for another day of bludgeoning), and you get to see the race course first-hand. I volunteered for the 9-midnight shift of the run for IMoo, and it was awesomely inspiring!!
Nicely done Casey. Nicely done.
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