Enjoy your hard work.
With many other inspirational chalk memos along the road during this race, this one stuck out to me. It was around kilometre seventeen, which is usually when my long runs actually start to feel long. I read this memo from below my feet as if it were written for me. A second wind to take me to the finish.
This race in Port Angeles, Washington was my first half marathon. I know some people might be surprised since a big part of my identity is being a runner, that I hadn’t run even a half until this year. In fact, I had actually started training for a half marathon when I was in the twelve grade and my triathlon coach AND future college coach both told me to stop. It would hinder my speed. So as much as I love running and I love distance, triathlon keeps me happy with the hours of training and being patient with the growth of my running distances.
My first half took place a ferry away from my current temporary home in Victoria. I had been watching the Olympic mountains in Washington from across the ocean all year from the island. I found myself drawn towards these mountains; and in search for a June race, it was booked. The next thing I know I find myself in a cheap, retro motel with those very mountains just behind it.
Race day started with a 5am wake up. I had to walk 15 minutes to the finish line to catch the shuttle. Being shuttled to the start line, where there was no shelter, was a cold wait. To make things worse (or maybe interesting), as I was waiting in the endlessly long porta-potty lines, the grass sprinkles started going off! Everyone scattered and screamed, I was so glad to be lucky enough to stay dry.
The North Discovery race is a mountain front and ocean front race that also goes through sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail. Thick, mossy trees and ferns tickling the edges of the paved trail; and a layer of morning fog slowly rising just to finish the last half of the race in sunshine.
Finishing within my goal time, and taking home 2nd place in my age category, I felt happy with my first half marathon, and am itching for the next. For now, I am enjoying my hard work.
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