Yeah, I'm a bit sore and a little stiff today too, but it will only last another day or so...
It seems a good time was had by all and the bad parts weren't really that bad. I must say I'm impressed by how many of us were out there yesterday. I know many of us are first time runners, a few still don't like to run, and I know some of us were hurt going into the race. But we were not deterred by the early morning or the yucky weather and we crossed that line meeting our goals and exceeding our expectations! What amazes me the most is this was all inspired and started by our love of Bruce. Of course, even though he stood by us while we ran, he laughed at us in the rain.
Like Ron, this years race was probably my hardest yet, although my nipples nipples are still in good shape (thank you Under Armor!). I didn't feel I was physically prepared to make the distance since I fell off any kind of training regimen and I didn't feel mentally prepared. I stood in my starting coral complaing to myself that I was achy, didn't feel well, wondering if I was going to make it, asking why I was even trying. I'll admit 90% of that was psychological and emotional. I think the thing that powered it all was that I was looking for Bruce and couldn't find him, couldn't feel him.
So, what got me through? First I tried to get in the zone and just get it over. That worked for a mile or so. Then Bruce started to show himself. One of Bruce's players who was running saw the team Stans shirt and we talked a bit. That kept me going a bit longer. But what really pushed me for 10 miles was you, all of you. I thought about how many of you were out there with me. For the first time I wasn't running alone, I had supporters onand off the race course, cheering me on at mile 9.5 from the side, and a sense of direction after I crosssed the line.
Way to go TEAM STANS! We did it! And Thank You ALL for helping me do it.
By the way, in the past I usually met up with Kelly and Bruce somewhere in the middle of the Naval Yard lawn. This year that was the point where I finally felt Bruce patting my back and congratulating me. He follwed tradition and let me do my thing on the race course then showed up when I needed him most.
PDR?, Philadelphia half marathon? ......
....... We'll see
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Mike, when I saw Mimi, and Kelly, and Jenn, and Tom around mile 9.5, I, too, was overwhelemd with emotion. I thought of past Broad Street Runs with Bruce and the training runs we did together to get ready for those races and the post run smiles and relief and bragging at lunches. I told myself to keep it together so I wouldn't start hyperventilating. Like you, I had a sense Bruce was a part of that moment and had been all along... Bruce plodded into our hearts and stayed forever : )
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