Amsterdam marathon: the marathon I did not run

This past Sunday was the day I would dive under 4 hours on a marathon. Unfortunately, I did not. In fact, I did not run at all. I watched though how one of my friends finished the half marathon in the amazing time of 1h24 (and imagine, his best time is 1h20). So proud to see him pass by and so bumped out I was not running there ...

I also cheered for the people that were running the marathon (I actually love yelling). The half marathon started when the marathon went into its fifth hour. Standing close to the finish line, waiting on the half marathon-finishers, I also saw passing by so many marathon runners, happy that they were almost there, almost finished. I kept on wishing that I was running with them and thinking, "these are my people!".

I am convinced everyone can run a marathon, physically. You have to be a bit crazy though to go through such extensive training and then finish it off with running 42k in 3 -5 hours. It is such an amazing feeling though, to actually do it. Friends often ask me what it is that I like so much about it. It is above all the mental challenge. Getting up early in the morning, rain or shine and run out there.

Even now, that I had to stop again because of a knee injury, it is not the knee that keeps me from running again, it is getting my but out of the door into my running shoes and start again. It is mental. My legs will carry me if I WANT it. This Saturday I ran 3 miles and here is another wonderful feeling. If you have not run for a while, the first 300 yards feel like you are flying. Seriously. It is such a wondrous and good feeling. My fellow runners, do you recognize it?

So, as preparing for a marathon in 9 weeks did not work, I am now preparing for a 10-miler in 5 weeks. Building it up slowly (well, at least slower than the Amsterdam marathon). My friend and I will both run the seven-hills run (7heuvelenloop) on November 20 (and yes, these are serious hills!!). Then, I will slowly move to a half marathon and then ... spring next year, a marathon again. Maybe the DC National marathon??

This afternoon, after Yara posted on Facebook she got up at 5:30AM for a three-mile run, and the sun peaked out behind the clouds, I stepped out again and ran 3 miles. I got rained on twice during those 35 minutes and ... it felt like heaven :-)

Suk and Geraldine, great running! And now, run, my friends, run!!

Have a great week.
Rose