Running with Joy

I love this quote:

As expected I've been thinking a lot about my upcoming marathon.  It's very difficult not to compare my readiness this time to last time.  It's been dragging me down and making me doubt my abilities.  Training for my first marathon was charmed, no injuries, life was smooth, good weather, and my confidence was high.  This time around I've dealt with a pulled glute from a poorly executed cartwheel, hot temps, plus the major stress of my Dad being hospitalized 700 miles away for the past 6 1/2 weeks.  When I compare results, it's depressing, so I have to look at the facts and know I've done my best and that has to be enough.

It's also not a good thing to compare my running journey to anyone else's.  I don't know what they've been through and they don't know what I've been through.  The winner of last year's Santa Barbara Marathon finished in 2:22:28, the fastest female finished in 3:03:26.  I am in no danger of winning!  But, after looking through the results, I also found that many groups had finishers in under 3 hours, but they also had finishers in over 5 hours.  The fastest in my age group (female 44-49) was 3:38:35 and the slowest was 5:37:37.  But you know what?  None of that matters.  They are all marathoners!

So how can I get back to running with joy?  My plan for next week is to finish.  I don't have a time goal.  Yes, I'd like to PR (faster than 4:53:33) but I'm not going to worry about it if I don't.  I have decided I will smile at every mile marker.  That's right, that is my number one goal for this marathon - to enjoy the journey. To remember that I love running and how great it makes me feel. I know enough to know there will be tough miles, miles that mentally tear you down, and miles that physically wear you out, but I will finish with a smile. I will smile at and thank as many volunteers as I can.  I won't be first and I, hopefully, won't be last.  But 10 days from now I will be a two time marathon finisher!