Getting Humbled by 13.1

I've ran multiple marathons. Each taking six months of preparation and hours of conditioning. During this time, 13 miles was an average training day. This number seemed like light-work.

The Cleveland Marathon

Now, six months removed, I was humbled when running the Madison half-marathon. I was over-confident, out-of-shape, and poorly trained. The paces I used to hold for 26.2 miles, I could not hold for 10. As I hobbled through miles 12 and 13, I was hit with the all-too-real fact that I had let myself go. Just because I was once a runner doesn't mean I always will be - especially if I do not train.

Mile 11 Struggles of the Madison Half-Marathon

The good news is that I have a reason to retrain. I can start anew. However, this time around I will remember to enjoy the training. It will be grueling some days, and you may push yourself to prove yourself, but there is no point in adding extra pressure on yourself for the sake of being "tough" or a "badass." The only badasses are those who are unapologetically themselves.

Sometimes I need those reminders: Stay in Shape and Be Yourself.

~Noah Rick