Strava Marathon (Bellingham, MA)
Finish Time: 3:43
Pace: 8:31
Temp: 62
Conditions: Indoors
Run For: Aaron
Recap:
Running a marathon is hard. It seems like a lot of recaps have been started by stating that particular sentence, and believe me, it is the absolute truth.
However, there are times when running doesn’t feel as hard as you think it might. I’m not saying it’s easy but in some cases the struggle isn’t really there and also don’t show up. Some may call this being “in the zone” or it happens when you achieve “flow state”. Whatever you want to describe it or give it a name, it’s a nice feeling. It’s a reason that can keep a runner going, why they continue to work hard and push through all the struggles along the way.
After a couple of tough marathons, I finally had one that felt good, really good! This one! Honestly, this marathon over the weekend didn’t feel hard, physically or mentally. I’ve experienced this before but it’s been while, especially with the last couple marathons being a little bit more of a struggle that I would have liked. Today while running everything just clicked.
The plan was to get going early in the morning, but as is the case, that never seems to work out. I do get up fairly early for work during the week, but I also like sleep. I’m not really a morning person, I don’t dread it but I definitely prefer sleeping. I did get going a little earlier than the past weekend marathons, but unlike the last couple, I had some good pre-run feelings. I felt ready and excited to tackle the miles.
Just to clarify, I generally look forward to running and doing any marathon for 26.2 For You. It is never something I dread. I’m motivated and happy to be doing this, every single time, for each and every one. However, some days your mind and/or body are not in sync with your emotions. You really want to run, but the alignment of stuff mentally and physically is just a little off and you don’t always feel 110%. As a runner, you’ve learned and worked on pushing through to get it done but sometimes it takes a little more work to get there.
So, it’s been a minute since I’ve felt things were all lined up like they were this past Sunday. Maybe it’s because I’ve been running for so long now, but I’ve definitely become in tune with my body when it comes to running. I can pick up on when things are working well or if something is off. Sunday morning, things just felt right from the start, so it was very promising.
The miles flew by and things did actually feel good. Of course it is still hard and running for a few hours is nothing to gloss over, but this one never really felt like a struggle at any point. My legs were turning over, my breathing was steady, my body was relaxed and the pace felt pretty comfortable.
I believe it is days like this that bring us back to running; what makes us continue to show up and put in the work. It’s for those amazing days where you feel like you could go on forever. It’s days like this that make me love this sport. Not every run is going to feel like this, but the harder I work and the more I stick with it, the more frequent they will show up. I’m grateful for a body that allows me to experience this!
Running for Aaron and Andrew was meaningful today. I know I shared their story over two marathon posts, but I’ll talk about both of them here in this recap.
We’ve said it before that when one person in a family, especially a child has IBD the entire family goes through it with them. The parents and other siblings also deal with all that comes along with Crohn’s and colitis. IBD affects more than just the person who has it, family, friends and loved ones all have their own experiences dealing with all that comes along with these diseases.
It’s heartbreaking hearing about kids who are diagnosed at such a young age, like Aaron was only six years when he found out. A child having to deal with serious health issues is never an ideal situation for anyone, but the Orgel family isn’t your ordinary family.
I’ve talked with Elizabeth, Aaron and Andrew’s mom, years ago about them and just what they went through as a family. I’ve seen them all at various foundation events over the years here in the Boston area. Elizabeth is actually the Board President of the New England Chapter at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation so her involvement with the cause is pretty impactful to say the least. Like many parents I’ve met who have seen their kids get diagnosed, all of them immediately want to get involved with the foundation on some level. Elizabeth has taken that to the next level and she has made an impact in this community since 2009.
I’m unbelievably grateful for all that she has done on behalf of her sons as well as the countless others she fights for who have IBD. We are lucky to have her and being able to run for her family, having them play such a big role in 26.2 For You means a lot to me.
Thank you Aaron and Andrew for being so resilient and for having such a positive outlook despite having been through so much at such young ages.
This 26.2 was for you Aaron, with another one for your brother happening next.
26.2 For You continues on as we run to 100!
26.2 FOR YOU 