Friday, May 13, 2011

Ready...Set...Go!

Months of training or about a years worth actually come down to this. Tomorrow I will run the 5/3 River Bank Run 25k.  A race a couple years ago I said I'd "never" run (if I'd only known then what I know now - hindsight being 20/20 and all). 

Throughout this journey, I've had ups (a few sub-30 5k training runs, my fastest 6 and 10 mile runs EVER, a great 10 mile race) and downs (more than a few crappy runs, sickness, back issues, self-doubt).  But, I've also had a tremendous support system.  From my family who has put up with a crazy training schedule, to my bloggy, twitter, facebook, and DailyMile friends who have cheered me on from afar.  I wouldn't be approaching that starting line tomorrow morning without all of you.  So, THANK YOU.

The River Bank Run also has a great network of supporters.  I've done my first group training runs with the Grand Rapids Running Club Mentor Program and Strider's.  I've gotten to meet Road Warrior, Keith.  In fact, it was Keith who said it best on his blog this morning, "trust your training. You’ve put in the work for months, now just let it do the work for you. We can’t change circumstances of race day such as weather, fatigue, or that missed aid station. What we can do is enjoy the day no matter what. Embrace the thousands of other runners and all of the spectators and volunteers who are the heart of this race. They are the ones who, coupled with your training, will see you through to the finish line."  

I need to embrace the day.  I need to trust.  Trust that my body will know what to do.  Trust that my mind will let my body to its job.  Trust that God and the spectators on the course will get me to that finish line some 15.5 miles from where I started.  Only, it isn't just 15.5 miles.  It's a journey that's just getting started.

7 comments:

  1. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! can't wait to read all about it.

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  2. I'm excited to read all about it when you're done - you're going to be great!!

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  3. Good luck Bari...I can't wait to read your report!

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  4. Keith is a very smart man. Trust the training and enjoy the day. It's not worth the crappy memories to not enjoy a race, trust me. I did this in San Diego and it makes me sad that most of the thoughts I remember having were negative. Enjoy the miles, baby! Enjoy the miles!

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  5. I am going to embrace the day and trust that your body will do everything right for you. I am so proud of you. The very best of luck to you!! XOXO

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  6. YES- embrace the day! That is what I did at Zooma and that mindset totally got me through the race. You are going to do awesome, I just know I and I cannot wait to hug you in just a few days. Good luck!!!

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  7. Wow! I hope your race went well!!!!! I love this "I need to embrace the day. I need to trust. Trust that my body will know what to do. Trust that my mind will let my body to its job. Trust that God and the spectators on the course will get me to that finish line some 15.5 miles from where I started." It's so applicable to life in general.

    (I'm just trying to check out as many fitbloggin' blogs as possible b4 next weekend. Maybe we will meet in the mass of bloggers. Bari is a super cool name and I will definitely recognize it!)

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