Tag Archive | Virtual marathon

Done is Done…. Again:)

Oct25

I did it!

It wasn’t pretty. It most definitely wasn’t fast, but it wasn’t about time. It was about getting it done. It was about raising money for Sandy Hook Promise. It was about grit and determination and just making it to the end.

Saturday was a PERFECT day weather wise. Actually it was a pretty perfect day all the way around. I wish all those running the in person NYC Marathon the same weather as I had…. Not too cold. Not too warm. No rain. Sun. Perfection!

There was less pressure than preparing for an in person event, but I still had to prepare. I had my loop all set. 4 large loops in and out of a local park where my care was located. I used my car as a water station keeping extra water and fuel in it. I also picked up some friends along the way. I had no set pace, so I just did whatever was comfortable for those joining me. We walked. We ran. Most of all we laughed.

I was had company all during miles 6 through 15. Then on my own. Anyone who says that a virtual marathon is easy might underestimate how hard it is to keep going when you are not on any assigned course, crowds, and your own your own. Every marathon it really is just you and the miles, but when literally it is just you and the miles it is a different thing. Plus…. It is STILL 26.2 miles.

Overall I know that I went into this undertrained which is why my goal was to be smart. To come away with no injuries. To protect my feet (side bar I think I might now be a Brooks girl, but hat is different post). To just make it to the end. In order to do this, I needed to be smart. Smarter than going in under trained. I needed to throw any and all expectations out the window. I needed to realize that this would be what it would be.

You know what? It worked.

I started off walking because to be honest it takes my muscles a bit to warm up. It was a cold morning and unlike in person event there was no walking a mile to corrals, start and what not. So I walked. Then I ran. Then I walked some more. Then combo. It all worked out. Towards the end, I had nothing in me to run, but just kept walking. I tried to keep my walk at a decent pace but it did slow towards the end. My feet were a little sore, but I’ve had worse. My quads were tight. Even my butt hurt. But….

DONE IS DONE!!

I stopped my watch for nothing. So this time was more a race click which never stops! This includes pit stops at car, bathroom breaks and stopping to massage feet. a true race clock.

So honestly while I am happy to say that I completed my 10th marathon, I am even more honored to say that it was my 4th for Sandy Hook Promise. A promise is a promise. So I am doing my small piece to do all I can. I actually was offered a spot on the in person team this year which I turned down as I wanted others to have the experience of running for this amazing organization. Then Uvalde happened and I immediately messaged an amazing Sandy Hook Promise contact with simple message, “I’m in any way I can be.”

More this week…..

https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/christine-chaillet-1

Am I Ready?

Oct12

I’ve been trying to answer this question. To see where I am. What my body can do. What mentally I am prepared to do. I think I have the answer.

Am I ready to run a virtual NYC Marathon?

Hell no.

Am I ready to complete 26.2 miles for Sandy Hook Promise for a NYC Virtual Marathon?

Yes…. With in reason

I need to be smart. I need to be reasonable and most of all…… I need to check the ego.

This past Sunday, I went out with one agenda. Ok maybe 2. To plan my route which will consistent of “loops” from a local park. I am hoping to have people join me for parts of the “race” and thought this would be a great way to do it. There will be loops in the park going out to longer loop leaving park. This way some can come for shorter or longer distances. I went with no pace plan. No time frame. No nothing. Just the loops and to hit 13 miles.

I did it.

Not too shabby either

How you ask?

By not being an idiot. Ok, anymore of an idiot than thinking of finishing a marathon. I walked. I ran slowly. I walked. I stopped at my car at end of first loop. I stopped to rub feet. I refuled. I took my time. I had no… I need to be faster. I need to hit this pace. I should blah, blah, blah

I just did it

I did it knowing that I could do it. I did it knowing that I could do more. I did it knowing that my body has done this again. I did this with the thought never again….. but maybe I just mean a virtual. Most of all I did this knowing that honestly there will come a day that I can’t do this, but (blank) no, that day is not today. So I will do this.

It will be hard. My feet will hurt. My hands will swell. I will be tired. I most definitely will be sore. I will be slow. I will like every marathon question my wisdom, BUT I PLAN TO FINISH WHAT I SET OUT TO DO!

So the date is set, October 22.

The time is set…. Starting at 8:30

The pace is what it will be.

The reason is clear……… I am running for Sandy Hook Promise and the promise of a better day for our children.

https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/christine-chaillet-1