Race Coverage

Gut Trusting...

Friday, 08 March 2013 00:10

February Disappointment and Despair

By Suzie Fox (from suz--news.blogspot.co.uk)

February is already over, I can't believe it is March! I started out the month of Feb with a VERY VERY disappointing 3:28 marathon in FL that turned into a training day. In the month leading up to the race I ignored many red flags and I did the race anyway. I am a very optimistic person and kept thinking everything would be fine but it wasn't. I am not surprised with my time at all just VERY VERY disappointed because I know that I can run much faster and I will, this just was not the time or the place. On a positive note, even though my time was a major bummer I did accomplish the one goal I needed to at this race which was a Boston qualifying time for 2014. Three of my training partners and I are planning to head to Boston next April and I can't wait to have a girls' trip and run the streets of Boston with these three fun and talented women. My sister and her in-laws were all over the 2 loop marathon course so it was really fun to see them so many times during the race which was in their home town so they knew tons of places to spectate and were also waiting at the finish line. The weather was also ideal, everything was perfect except for my performance....

Luckily I am too busy working and preparing for bigger goals in the 2013 season to look back and dwell on a pre-season bad race. I am okay with disappointments and failure and not afraid to continue to set big public goals for myself. After almost 2 decades of softball it seems strange to be in a sport where you don't fail repetitively. The best softball players fail 7 out of 10 times that they step up to the plate. One time in college I gave up three home runs in the same game to the SAME girl! Needless to say, I am more motivated than ever and nothing motivates me more than underachieving. I won't be running another marathon until Kona so I am anxious, hungry and will be properly prepared to run well there off the bike and am most looking forward to the marathon in Kona. A valuable lesson that I want to take away from this marathon is to always listen to that voice inside my head. My own instincts and those red flags are always right and I need to trust my gut. I am so lucky to train with intelligent veteran runners that have been running marathons for many years before I even knew how many miles were in a 5K. They have helped me understand in great detail why things didn't go well for me in FL. I am so grateful for their friendship and invaluable wisdom.

It was so great to spend more time with my sister in February! We spent a lot time walking on the beach, cooking, and having movie marathons. READ MORE