I ran 13.1 miles yesterday…13.1 MILES!!! It was snowing the entire time and the trail was icy and, here’s the best part, it was the hilliest course imaginable. I am not exaggerating when I say that over 80% of the course was hill running. In fact, going down the hills was worse than running up them due to the ice that forced you to shuffle ever so carefully as to avoid falling. The course was beautiful, which helped me to avoid losing my mind every time I saw another hill on the horizon.
My dad ran with me…yes, you read that correctly. He has been running 5 miles a day on the treadmill for the past 2 years, and I have finally convinced him that outdoor running is so much more rewarding. He kept me going and when I wanted to stop, he pushed me to dig in and go further. He hung back and stayed right next to me across the finish line, and held me up when it was all over. I think he’s toying around with the idea of registering to run the Cleveland Marathon. If he could run non-stop hills for 13 miles, then he can definitely run a flat 26 mile route.
Here is what I learned yesterday:
1. Find out about the course ahead of time. I was totally unprepared to run hills for 2 and a half hours.
2. Get plenty of rest before a long run. Liv was up from 12:30 until 3:00, and I had to get up at 5…so much for rest.
3. Eat a good breakfast, hydrate, and stay nourished on the course. I ate breakfast, but not nearly enough, and I planned on eating GU during the run, but I couldn’t get it down without feeling like I was going to vomit, so I ran the entire way without refeuling and my muscles started breaking down at mile 12 with intense cramping and pain. If my dad hadn’t been next to me, pushing me on, I would have crawled over the finish line.
4. Focus on the finish line. I started to let the hills get into my head, so in order to prevent it, I would tell myself that the finish line was just beyond the next hill. Although it did lose it’s effectiveness after the 4th hill in the last 2 miles, with no finish in sight.
5. The pain and soreness that I experienced are nothing compared to what those fighting cancer go through on a daily basis. I knew that it would all be over once I crossed that finish line, but they fight with uncertainty staring them in the face, which is what makes them the heroes. Thinking about them and all the people who have pledged to support me, pushed me to finish. I couldn’t have done it without you…
5 Comments
Erika,
I am so proud of you. Just be proud of what you have accompolished and remember that your doing this run for others but also for yourself. No matter how bad it may get, your family will always be there for you. Keep up the great work you are doing with your family and with your run.
Love you
Aren’t dads the best? I was thinking about you all day yesterday and even played some scissor sisters for you when I woke up in the morning. You rock!
Congratulations, Erika! I can’t imagine running that far, especially in the ice and snow! I’m amazed at your dedication. Keep it going!
Hearty congratulations and untold gratitude to you, my beautiful daughter-in-law!
Love,
Mom Roth
Mom – you have been beyond supportive and I love you so much. I just hope Dad didn’t whine too much on the way home :) Just kidding, he did GREAT!
Heidi – i didn’t have my ipod during the race, but i was humming that tune in my head. there were people along the course playing music, and even a woman standing in the freezing, snowy weather playing her flute…talk about inspiring.
Jacki – i can’t believe i ran that far either. it certainly does wonders for one’s self-confidence. thanks for the encouragement.
Mom Roth – 13.1 miles is nothing compared to what you have gone through. i’ll do whatever it takes to help get rid of this awful disease. I love you.
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