So June 18th brings forth Yeezus. I don’t know what this means for my life, but I hope I’m sure it’ll awesome.
There have been very few times in life where I’ve truly surprised myself. The list is very short and hasn’t budged in years. Today I exceeded my own expectations and ran a time I never saw coming. But it had to be Brooklyn, right?
My “goal” was 1:35. I picked this conservative goal because I wanted to finish the race motivated to keep running. Inside, I knew if I felt good, I was probably capable of running just under 1:30.
In the immediate aftermath of the Boston Marathon, when my emotions were running high and my impulsivity not far behind, I sought out next year’s NYC Marathon entry. Completely forgetting about last years cancellation, I saw that I’d need a cutoff time of 1:19 to even be considered. Obviously, with roughly five weeks to train for today’s race, I knew this is was something I wasn’t capable of achieving.
I came into this race with weekly mileage a of:
Week 1: 21 miles, two off days.
Week 2: 25 miles, two off days.
Week 3: 25 miles, two off days.
Week 4: 33 miles, one off day.
This week: 25 miles, likely three off days unless I run tomorrow.
I ran more miles today than I had all week combined. I ran one run over six miles and it was a ten miler last week that left me so sore at the start of this week.
Today, I ran a 1:18:52.
Never before have I felt this surprised and yet humbled by my own abilities. The entire race, I thought about everyone from family, to friends, to the kids I’ve coached present and past. I thought about how important each and every person is to me and really used that to stay focused. I went out harder than I’d expected, but felt pretty good. So rather than get conservative and settle, I just went with it.
I got faster as the race went on, and even finished past a bunch of people near the end. I never would’ve expected to do what I did, but to say that I’m happy would be an understatement.
I have no plans of what’s next. But I know for damn sure that running will be a part of it.
Even more important to me was the fact that my friend Alex went out and straight balled on his run, running well under the average per mile time he had set for himself. I’m sure he knows to a degree, but he (in addition to many of my other friends) is a large reason I even ran today.
Great day for the Slowbros Running Club.
Today was supposed to be frantic. Work (Took a Sick Day). Track Meet. Family Party. Get to NYC for a few hours of sleep before the storm that will be a 13.1 mile run ending in Coney Island. My mom is one of those people who talk so long about certain things, that those listening to her start to look at each other with the “Here We Go Again…” glance. Well, when it comes to running and Brooklyn, I’m stuntin’ like my mother: Here We Go Again. Running & Brooklyn.
When I chose to run this race, it seemed perfect that the race took place in the city I grew to love like no other (no disrespect to South Plainfield). The fact that the course starts blocks from where I lived isn’t a coincidence in my mind. This was meant to be.
Today was actually supposed to be calm. Work. Track Meet. Family Party. Drive back to my apartment and go through the motions in life. But here I am today, ready to get back to the calm and the frantic. This was meant to be.
My goal is a conservative 1 Hour and 35 minutes. But I’d be lying to you all and myself if my real goal wasn’t to get as close to breaking 1:30 as possible. Crossing the line will be a success in all its’ own, so I’m not adding any extraordinary pressure to myself. But the fear of embarrassing myself out there will push me to do the best that I can.
The past few weeks have been refreshing, as I prioritized running over other less important things. And although my mileage is no where near where it should be for a race like this, I’ve never been one to really lack confidence. I’m going to leave it all out there.
Then probably drink a lot of beer.
This one’s for all of my family and friends.
Today, the Greatness of the week continued.
I had a half day.
I picked up my half marathon number and stuff.
I parked sketchily twice and got no tickets.
And most importantly, I didn’t leave my food from dinner at the restaurant like I so commonly do.
(That wasn’t nearly the most important thing about today, but this is one of those situations where this post is really for me to remember something awesome.)
The jinx has yet to come into fruition. Fruition? I don’t even know if I used that right. Regardless, we’re still on pace for a BEST WEEK EVER.
Why?
Today I had breakfast for dinner.
Today I watched this.
I’m ready for San Diego now. Which will obviously be another BEST WEEK EVER.
Every once in a while, the stars align. Drivers on the parkway use turn signals. I think of a wonderful blog post idea, and add it to my iPhone notes. My students simply do what they’re asked to do. Life is great. When this happens in successive days, the possibility of a BEST WEEK EVER fills my brain. There are two types of BEST WEEK EVER’s.
Option 1: A lot of funfilled events are taking place in a week, that ultimately should turn out to be a good time (i.e. Galenfest).
Option 2: Nothing is planned, but glory happens (i.e. Meeting Donald Glover) throughout the week.
Regardless, all BEST WEEK EVER’s include the following:
BEST WEEK EVER’s include no bad. And all good. This is why they’re rare.
This week is setting up to be the ultimate combination of both options 1 and 2. I have three track meets this week. Coaching a track meet is “very high risk-high reward” in terms of BWE’s. Someone always runs bad. But seeing as though it’s near the end of the season and my kids are in great shape, everyone should run well. I’ve hit a groove at work, and teaching classes is becoming second nature to me at this point. I love it. And lastly of course is the Brooklyn Half Marathon I’m running on Saturday.
Looking at the list above, all five should be a part of this week. And my confidence is at the point where I don’t even think this post could jinx it.
I’m calling my shot. This will be a BEST WEEK EVER.
One week from today, I’ll be completing my first Half Marathon and jump starting my way back to a little something of a semi-serious post-college running career.
I’m excited, nervous, and anxious but I’m confident that at the end of the day, I’ll have some fun.
I ran today.
I left my house at 5:15am.
I returned home at 11:15pm.
Run completed at 11:57pm.
I ran today.
+1 for me.
