Best of Everything in my life - right now !
I say that in the title because its true. I am so blessed. Everything
seems to be falling together in the right place. I have the best
boyfriend i could ever ask for, I am healthy, I have a great job in
which I actually look forward to going to (Athletic Annex running
store) that pays just enough for me to get by and gives me the
flexibility to see Alan, I feel strong in my Faith, I've been able to
travel around, stress hasn't been getting to me, i've had the chance to
run with my teammates, my family (and friends) are awesome
and my running is going well!
i've been having some good solid training this last month, and finally some real results!
I mentioned in my last journal that I was doing a 4 mile road race.. It
was a high goal to run under 5:40 pace, but I went after it, and I
surprised myself with a 22:25 (9 seconds faster than last year - 5:36
pace).
I felt great; powerful like my legs were really under me, a
hundred times different than dragging my dead legged body with my
overstriding self in my last race.
The race was interesting
because the 2 I expected to show up to get my butt kicked did not.
(Collete Liss and Erin Nehus). Erin has a 10K coming up this Saturday
on the track where her and a solid group of girls are racing to hit the
Trials Standard (in which I will be pacing!)
On race morning I
loaded up on some strong coffee and I was glad I had been cutting back
on my year old addiction the past few weeks by drinking mostly decaf. I
was really feeling it and literally shaking at the start. After the
warm up - I saw Nicole Gliem (who recently took some down time - so
thats why it took her a while to cruise past me).. She has been doing
extremely well in the road races around the area the last year; and I
know she has run a low 16 minute 5K as well as getting 2nd place in the
Indy Mini half marathon. So i pretty much knew itd have a slim chance
if she was in good shape.
My teammates Jess, Robyn and I ran
together along with a pack of middle school boys for the first 3/4 to
mile.. I sort of took off shortly before the mile and felt like i was
on cruise control until mile 3..
I split 5:29, 5:31, 5:39 (there
was some incline), and my last mile I faded with a 5:44. I have no
regrets and am glad I took the risk instead of sitting back. I was
leading until Nicole passed me with about 3/4 miles to go. She looked
really strong and I was just hanging on.. Mentally I was strong, i just
didn't have the strength to get there yet. It went by quick, but the
last 400 was painful.. a guy whom i'm sure i met but forgot his name,
pulled up to me the last K and encouraged me to go with him to chase
the big pack of guys and Nicole.. mostly masters men and one middle sc
hool kid. There was no chance. But I held off he girls behind me .. A
Russian lady from Ohio who had previously ran 1:57 in the 800, but in
more recent years a 2:41 marathon. Then Robyn was about 12 secs behind,
and Jess right behind her.
It was a good day for me, but
obviously tragic for the running community with the loss of Ryan Shay.
I heard about news while we were waiting at the awards ceremony. I
called Alan since he was in New York watching the Trials and he was
shocked and hadn't even heard about it.
That afternoon I got
on a plane to meet Alan in New York City to be his date for the Runners
World Heroes Banquet. Talk about inspiration. I don't think I'll ever
complain again about having a bad day during a run. . well maybe not,
but I'd like to keep the stories I heard in my memory to know how
blessed I am to have my ability and these opportunities. It was great
to celebrate sitting at a table with the Halls, but it was all
overshadowed by the recent tragedy. My prayers have been going out to
Alicia and the Ryan Shay's family. . it is so unfair, but all we can do
in situations like this is trust and rely on God, because He will take
care of us and wants what is ultimately best for us.
post comment
Untitled Comment
9:12 PM, November 9, 2007
.. Posted by Anonymous
Julia,
1. I'm enjoying your entries.
2. This site is running a bit light on the feminine perspective. I think you should rally your fellow women and get them blogging.
Good luck this year.
Hugh Murphy
Nov. 9th entry
3:57 PM, November 12, 2007
.. Posted by Ma Rudd
Julia,
<br>
<br>Loved reading how well your life is going. I am blessed to have a daughter like you given to me for this short time on earth and hopefully for all eternity, too. Keep on praying, running, etc. Miss you in Oshkosh!
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