I set out to do the Good, Bad, Ugly race pic post started by Laurie when I came across this beaut from the half marathon last weekend.
Too tired to smile or keep my eyes open for that matter, and waiting for the chicken wings to take flight any minute. The only thing the photog did not catch was me with my tongue out, which I’ve been known to do on more than one occasion.
I also love the free pizza coupon flapping from the bottom of my bib. See the white rectangle between the two O’s in proof? Surely lugging that bad boy for 13.1 added at least 5 minutes to my time.
Call me the Michael Jordan of running. See the resemblance? Other than the tongue, maybe not so much .
All kidding aside, as I looked at that picture of me in the throes of agony final miles, hanging onto my pace as if life itself depended on it, I started to like it more. Yes, I closed my eyes because I was steeling myself against that suck monkey and shutting out fatigue and negativity. I was taking my mind to a ‘better place’ where tenacity trumps exhaustion. So what if it showed on my face and in my shoulders creeping up to my ears?
In Matt Fitzgerald’s book, Brain Training for Runners, (if you haven’t read it you need to) one of the most memorable Chapters (for me) was Chapter 8 where he talks about accepting/embracing pain and recognizing that negative self-talk is a fear-based reaction to fatigue-induced discomfort.
According to Fitzgerald, mentally tough runners welcome pain as an indication they are working as hard as they should be. I’m not so sure I welcome pain exactly but it’s a work in progress. So be proud of those race pics! Think of the ‘ugliness’ as your hard work shining through.
Have a Great Weekend!
