Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Jitters and Confidence

Yesterday I ran with my run/walk buds and stayed with them the entire hour that we ran. They wondered if something was suddenly wrong with me. They seemed to have forgotten that I'm running a marathon on Sunday....yes as of today it's a mere 5 days away.

I'm getting nervous jitters...I know they will go away at the start line, or certainly by the time the first mile is history. I can close my eyes and see myself on the course and I don't see any struggles, even with the hills that are at the end of the course...these are the same hills we struggled over just over 2 weeks ago in the Tulsa Run 15k and I got thru them just fine then.

I close my eyes and see that dreamweaver taking me down the road, the tapestry is one of mile after mile filled with the jubilation of the effort, knowing that success is only steps away....I see that the pace is new, it doesn't come without some effort but it's there pulling me closer and closer. This feeling is so incredible, the journey to get here has been difficult, but the reward is like no other...what is truly incredible is that the journey is truly just beginning...moving forward, looking for ever to the front, knowing that I'll reel someone else in.

I pray each day for a safe race, not just for me but for all others, I pray for a complete race, and I also pray that I am allowed to run my best whatever that is for that day. I pray for peace and healing, feeling that by my running I am making a difference somehow, somewhere for others.

Is it possible to find that runner's high yet not even be on your feet? Not even sweating? In closing my eyes the visions that come are real, they feel so true, I am there, I hate to keep using the word incredible....but it's the single word that best describes what I feel. Is this a sign of training done to sufficient length to prepare for who knows what?

Yes I'm prepared for Sunday, yes I'm ready, yes I am jittery, but most importantly, yes I have the CONFIDENCE that I can compete and finish.

Monday's Easy Efforts

Total distance: 4.43 miles
Total Time: 1:03:01
Pace: 14:13
Avg HR: 120 Max HR: 141

8 comments:

Backofpack said...

You'll be great Randy! Go get 'em!

Jess said...

You'll be awesome! And it's totally natural to be jittery. If you weren't, something would be wrong with you.

runliarun said...

Even before I reached the end of the post, it was clear that confidence prevailed.

Looking forward to the race report.

J~Mom said...

I love this post Randy!!! You are going to do great!

Darrell said...

Go get it done, Randy!

The maniacs are routing for you.

teacherwoman said...

I can't wait to read all about it.... you will do just awesome! :)

Mary Gee said...

This post brought a tear to my eye. You are so ready and fit and healthy. What a great attitude you have!

Wes said...

Awesome post, Randy! You will be awesome!!!