Thoughts About Detroit
Rather than a detailed, blow-by-blow account of the race that was the Detroit Marathon, I thought I’d do a list of bullet points. Quicker, easier to read and more fun, quite frankly.*The expo was GREAT! Just enough things to browse through, things to try, lots of goodies to buy. Best part? Brian Sell with the Hansons Team, autographing Brooks posters. I was agog. I just kept staring. Wow. Nice, humble guy.*Detroit is a fantastic city for the marathon. The course was absolutely perfect. Just when you thought you might get bored, you got to cross the Ambassador Bridge into Canada. Not to be outdone, you then get to cross back stateside through the tunnel. Super sweet.*Belle Isle was absolutely beautiful. I can’t believe I haven’t been there since I was a small child. Contrary to popular opinion, this portion of the marathon (miles 17-20) are not desolate. There were plenty of people there to cheer us on, adequate water stops and smiling faces. Fantastic.*Organizers did a great job with this race. There was water and Gatorade aplenty. The GU station at mile 15 was fully stocked with plenty of different flavors. If I had my running skirt on with pockets, I would have stocked up the running pantry.*I feel as though I did this race a huge injustice by not being properly trained for it. Had I been well-rested and not recovering from a previous marathon three weeks prior, I could have done quite well.*Never, never, never underestimate the mental toughness required to cover 26.2 miles. With every marathon I’ve completed, this becomes even more evident. The physical ability is there. The mental prowess is something altogether different.*Take time to encourage the first-time marathoners. I met a few along the course. I made sure to tell them how well they were doing, and reminded them that they were accomplishing something that most people dream about.*I’ve become comfortable in my slow skin. This took a long time for me to admit, but I am slow. I know that I’ll never BQ, and that’s okay. I told Mike over the weekend that, “I’d rather be able to run many marathons at a slower pace than run a couple marathons at a faster pace.” I’m very hard on myself, and no one can change that except for me. I need to learn that running fast isn’t what it’s all about for me.*My new quote? “It’s not about how fast you can run, but about getting it done.” I plan to live by these words with each race I run.*Will I still strive for improvement? Sure. But, I will also try to temper that with a daily dose of reality. I am a mother, a busy nursing student, a part-time nurse, a wife, a friend, a mentor to fellow nursing students, a tutor and a runner. All these pieces need to fit into the puzzle we call life.*I am proud of my accomplishments, regardless of time, regardless of speed or lack thereof. I am doing things that others will never attempt. For that, I need to give myself credit.*I am very proud of those, either because of my entrance into running or, in spite of it have turned out to be great runners. You know who you are, and I am honored and privileged to know you. People tell me often that I am a source of inspiration, and I usually just push it off. It’s difficult to accept praise from people when you feel as though you’re just doing your thing, minding your own beeswax. If I have inspired one person to get off the couch and better themselves, then my work is done. That, Faithful Reader, is what it’s all about.I left Detroit feeling accomplished, with a different appreciation and perspective on running. Isn’t that what it’s all about?Before I put this season to bed, I can’t resist the 10K Turkey Trot in downtown Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Wanna join me?Now,I rest.I plan.I dream.I do.Bring on 2009.
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