In my heart, I'm a Kenyan

This morning, I dragged my ever widening ass through 8 miles of a run. I had issues. Namely, I am coming off two weeks off and a cold. Still, part of my issue is psychological. If I'm going to do this half in September, then I need to suck it up. Get out there and run. (I am having issues getting back into it -- I miss the sea.) Fall is coming I can feel it. The sun doesn't sear any, like it used to.

The Man announced that he wanted to see the "start of" the marathon, I really wanted to see the "end of the marathon." The Boy didn't want to se the marathon at all, but he's out-voted, that's what happens when you live with runners. You end up watching the whole Olympic Marathon.

It happens. Then you wonder what's so hard about a 2h06 marathon. Seriously Wansiru made it look easy, it weren't for all the guys who kept falling behind you'd think he was on a little 5K run around the block. The strain started to show around the 40K mark, a bit of a grimace. But weren't they just incredible. All of them. They just run. And it was hot and humid. Hard to believe it's a first for Kenya. Eh?

(As an aside there were two commentators on CBC, the British guy was fabulous. A runner of the people -- "One the interesting thing about the marathon is that whether you do it in 3h10, 4h10 or even 5h10 it's the same experience." The other announcer did not have a clue. "Well, it's going to take him all day at that pace," he said of one of the runners. Given this runner was clearly hurt -- it should be pointed out that qualifying time for the IOC is what 2h30 or something. Not slow.)

As an aside, I love the idea of misting stations. Would have made all the difference during the Ottawa Half that's for sure. And the crowd in the bird's nest -- imagine 60,000 people cheering for you. All to say, I was inspired by the whole thing. Maybe the swift kick in the ass I needed to work towards seriously training once again.

Distance: 8 miles
Goal Tempo: 13:19 actual 14:05 minute mile (I had issues.)
Song of the run: 40 miles of Bad Road, Dead Moon.

Comments

[Marcy]

Wasn't it crazy?! I was like . . ."you don't even look fatigued. What in the world?!?" I can't even imagine. The pace that they run is just insane.