…and get
over it. A snarky comment I’ve thrown at Dan a few times when he’s complained
about something. The thing about those trite little comments is that they
usually have some basis in reality.
Today, I
ran my first quarter marathon, which at 6.55 miles was .35 miles LONGER than a
10k, a distance I’ve conquered a few times. The Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Run is
held on the Milwaukee lakefront and traverses the Hoan Bridge, twice. Fun facts
about the Hoan: it rises at about a 4.2 percent
grade for a distance of 2,500 feet. Then the road slopes down at a grade of 0.3
percent for 2,800 feet, then rises again at a 2.8 percent grade to the height
of the Hoan Bridge over the Milwaukee River, then falls at an average slope of
3.1 percent for a distance of 4,800 feet. At its high point over the Milwaukee
River. the bridge deck is 125 feet above grade while at its low point near
Municipal Pier No. 4, it is only 30 feet above grade. In other words – it’s a
tall bridge with a challenging incline.
I’d
not been looking forward to the run. Supportive of Dan’s desire to run the
half-marathon distance I suggested I’d run the 5K. Of course he challenged me
to step it up a notch and in the middle of winter saying yes to more than twice
the planned distance is easy. Today I had to make good. As we drove to the race
start we encountered thick fog near the lake. The air was heavy and damp as we
made our way to the start. The race announcer was issuing warnings to the
runners about visibility on the bridge. Apparently the first water stop would
just appear in the mist. The gun went off.
I
started to run, wondering why I had agreed to this when that snarky bridge
comment landed back in my head. It’s a bridge. Get over it. And I did. Twice. Along
the run I thought of a few things about getting over a bridge that apply to
life in general.
- It’s OK to
start in a fog. Sometimes it’s better not to see the finish line. The fog
helped me focus on a strong start, as it obscured the visual reminder of
how far I had to run. By the time the fog lifted I had more than two miles
down. Beginning the task, the race, the challenge is often the hardest
part if all you are thinking about is the end.
- Find your pace
and stick with it. I concentrate on getting my heart rate in the right
zone. I know I can keep it there for a long time. When it bumps up I can
feel it and I’ve learned how to make the necessary adjustments to bring it
back down. When faced with something challenging you need to control what
you can because it helps the rest of the challenge feel less out of
control.
- Cheer on the
person ahead of you. It’s good to celebrate the successes of others.
Today’s run doubled back on the bridge and the front runners came fast up
the other side. We all cheered because they were working so hard and
providing inspiration for the rest of us. It’s easy to cheer when you
remember that…
- … the only
person you are competing with is yourself. That person in front of you is
out there working hard toward their own goals. You know who else isn’t
competing with you? The race walker who just passed you, the person in the
full polar bear costume, or the guy texting and running.
- Finally, celebrate your success with bacon. When I finish one of these physical challenges I want food. I’ve earned it. I worked hard and I need a reward. And because bacon isn’t a part of my regular diet it tasted extra special.
Music that Resonates (a trite song for a trite phase):
The Climb - Miley Cyrus
