Strava Marathon (Bellingham, MA)
Finish Time: 3:53
Pace: 8:54
Temp: 59
Conditions: Indoors
Run For: Barbarann
Recap:
Yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day edition marathon was run for Barbarann who shared a pretty incredible story. She has been through so much and I was honored to be able to share her story with all of you. I know it was hard for her to write about the tragic events that she has endured, so I can’t thank her enough for finding the courage to do so. The key words I want to emphasize from that last sentence are “endure” and “courage.”
As humans, we endure a lot and we persevere through a great deal of stuff in our lives. I feel like Barbarann has had more than her fair share of events that she has had to endure where she has had to find that courage to get through them.
Her story is still being written as of today as I write this recap, she is undergoing surgery to remove her thyroid and the tumor that developed there this past year. I’m hoping all goes well and that she is on the road to recovery soon, with nothing but good news ahead of her. Of all people, she deserves to be flooded with some happy and amazing moments in life moving forward here… for a long time.
Speaking of moments, I first met Barbarann in 2020, when she signed up to run one of the virtual marathons we did with 26.2 For You, when all in-person races were cancelled due to the pandemic. I didn’t know her before this so having her participate was a unique opportunity and a cool moment in a pretty wild time. She was impressive too because she got out in the Arizona heat, in June of that year and did ten consecutive days of intense exercise to complete the ultra-marathon distance option. I know she worked hard to complete that virtual race and it was great corresponding with her and getting to know her a little during it. I got a first hand look at just how determined and strong she really was and still is.
I made quite a few new friends during that time in 2020 with the virtual 26.2 For You races and Barbarann was one I was glad to have met under such strange circumstances we were all going through. I also knew she had a meaningful story to share and as difficult as it was, I was glad she was so open and willing to share it with me and all of you.
Running yesterday’s marathon was difficult in a different kind of way. Lacking motivation is the best way to describe it. I honestly just wasn’t feeling up for running 26.2 miles. I know, I’ve run so many marathons and I’ve run so much in general over the years, I’m a runner, it’s what I do. How can I not be motivated to run, especially for someone like this?
As runners, with a sport we love to do, sometimes we just aren’t feeling it and this was the case with me yesterday. This is no real rhyme or reason. I guess it ebbs and flows just like anything else. I initially intended to get up early to start this marathon, but after a night where I didn’t sleep well, I was lacking energy and feeling pretty tired. I did not get up early and I definitely did not start running early. Lacking the motivation to get moving I delayed about as long as I could before convincing myself it was time to lace up my sneakers and start running. Maybe it wasn’t so much convincing as it was just telling myself we need to go do this…NOW. No excuses.
It’s hard to explain how motivation works at times because I obviously had the inspiration and desire to get this done for Barbarann and to keep the 26.2 For You journey moving along, but my body and mind were having a hard time working together to just get me started.
The funny thing is my split times for the marathon don’t even really reflect any real struggles, they look good. But, they all felt harder than they should and it did seem like I was dragging myself through each mile. Over the past few months, I had been doing well with all the treadmill miles I’ve been doing, but yesterday I was struggling through every single one of them.
I did have a distraction, watching tv, more specifically catching up on some cycling (the Paris-Nice race) was helpful for sure, but it was still hard. I definitely channeled strength from Barbarann and running this marathon for her helped me get through without a doubt. It was hard, I was feeling it, and my mind got a good workout yesterday too just to keep me going, mile after mile.
Overall, I feel sore and tired, but I was able to endure this one because quitting was never an option. Not all marathons are going to feel easy and if you run enough of them, some might not have you feeling all too eager to even attempt. Like I tell all the marathoners I coach, you can do hard things even if sometimes you don’t think you can. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward… Relentless forward progress.
This is one thing I have told them and it absolutely worked for me during this marathon.
Thank you again Barbarann for being so willing to share your story and continuing to move forward despite what life is throwing your way. You are the definition of “Relentless forward progress” and a shining example of perseverance. I admire your courage and your toughness while appreciating just how strong you really are.
This 26.2 was for you!
26.2 FOR YOU 