Kick that motivation into gear!

Yesterday I ran this Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Half Marathon in Albany, Georgia. It was a GREAT ego boost that I really needed. The journey to this race was an interesting one but the end result was perfect!

I originally signed up for this race as a marathoner participant in early January. I then the next week came down with the flu which knocked me on my toosh for one week. Then the next week I had a mole removed from my toe that prevented me from running because of the pain. I was all ready 2 1/2 weeks behind schedule in an all ready shortened marathon plan. I made the hard decision to drop down to the half marathon in order not to have my legs fall off after I attempted to run a marathon without training.

After this decision I struggled with motivation to keep training and motivation to get a hotel room and take the 3 hour trek up to Albany Georgia. I had mentally resigned that this would be a donation to the race that I would not be running.

My wife 2 weeks before the race told me she was looking forward to taking the road trip. So that night we booked a hotel. What was even more exciting for us was that our dog, Pikachu, would be joining us because the hotel was pet friendly.

The week previous to the race I felt my motivation and excitement and nervousness growing. It had been a while since these legs raced. I was not tapering for this race so I ran as much as I wanted this week but I did notice getting out the door at 4:50 in the AM was easier. Also, I was looking forward to my runs. A strange thing was happening. I was motivated.

Motivation for running had been lacking in my life. My wife and I recently moved down to Eglin AFB in Florida from Boston, I started a new job with new hours and we have spent the first couple of month adjusting to our new lives. I was still running occasionally but I found myself making excuses not to run and then acting on these excuses. I was becoming soft…..

Now, back to this race. The weather was perfect, the crowds were great, it was a perfect size and parking was not horrible. I finished in 7th place overall with a second place age group award. It felt great to be passed on the course and trying to keep up, waving to spectators, slapping high-5′s and crossing that finish line and feeling great.

If you were to talk to me last week I wold tell you that I was horribly out of shape for me and lacking motivation. This race is something my running and my spirit needed. It told me to HTFU!

Now, for all of you who might have stumbled on this post because you wanted to know about the race and if you would like to run it. Here is a list of Pro’s and Con’s

PROS
1. Great Parking
2. Great time of year for weather
3. flat course
4. The last 5k was fun with the spectators and people dressed for Mardi Gras
5. Finish line was at a park right next to a river
6. I missed the number pick up and I spoke to the RD who was very accommodating and allowed me to pick up my number on race morning.
7. Prize money for pro runners
8. The host Hotel (Hilton) was beautiful
Cons
1. Not a HUGE race (If you like the large marathons like Boston or Chicago)
2. Some of the mile markers were off at the 2011 race. I ran mile 4 in 7:30 and then mile 5 in 5:48 (Felt like I was running at the same speed)
3. The race shirt was a tech wick (which was good) but it was not a athletic fit and it looks like I am swimming in it

Hopefully that helps you with your decision. As for me right now, I’m going for a recovery run on this drizzly day to get my run in!

Talk to you all soon,

Mango