Race Coverage

"A PERFECT Race"...

Friday, 13 December 2019 23:10

By Ruth Brennan Morrey

2:43:41! 2020 Olympic Trial Qualifying Standard at age 44! See you in Atlanta!
Twenty years ago I ran 2:48:17 at the 2000 Olympic Trials. Today, 20 years later, I smashed my PR by 4 1/2 minutes. I don't know how I did it, but I do know a few things:

1) Today's California International Marathon was a PERFECT race. It was easy. No rough patches. Smart execution. I ran the last 5 miles at 5:55-6:10 after 21 miles of rolling hills at 6:17/mile. I cannot believe how effortless it felt. I am so thankful for a GREAT day!

2) Never lose hope in training. After Grandmas marathon, I became frustrated at the heaviness and difficult effort it took during my typical run paces. I thought it was old age. I became frustrated, but never relented. Turns out, I required patience and perseverance. I kept running, I then became peppy, energized, and invincible.

3) Focus on COURAGE. Full disclosure....I cry over courage. I am inspired by courage. I am inspired by my kids and my 12 year old soccer players who show me what courage REALLY looks like. They were my deepest lesson today. I'd imagine their examples throughout my run today, and repeat George S. Patton's quote "Courage is fear holding on for one more minute." ...

4) STAY HERE. This race, my mantra was "STAY HERE". Focusing on the NOW was most helpful. Embrace every minute, every breathe, every leg tweak. I was fully present and accepting of everything that was presented to me.

5) Family. My brother, Mike, and Mark were my support staff today. They were INCREDIBLE. They broke SO many traffic rules in order to see me in 8+ places. 🙂 I can't even describe how lucky I am to have them here with me.

Thank you all for following. This is a MONUMENTAL goal that was much bigger than I am, and cannot quite express how grateful I am to have qualified for the 2020 OLYMPIC MARATHON TRIALS....TWENTY years after my first qualification in 1999.

FIRST MASTERS RUNNER 40+ of 1500 runners.
Terraloco MN and ACTIVE PT: My greatest supporters: THANK YOU!!!! So grateful of all you do for me!