Through late June and July, Jess marched up through double digit runs, hitting her PDR (personal distance record) with every long run. I read all of her posts with tears in my eyes, remembering MY very first marathon training cycle. I felt every one of her "OMGs" and "I can't believe I'm doing this!", and lived all of her "but 26.2 miles still seems so far away".
On August 21st, she ran her first 20-miler. I remember the beginning of this post, and getting the chills:
20 milers
20 MILES
20 FREAKIN' MILES!
...holy crap, we actually hit super-ridiculous double-digits this morning.
We celebrated together, through an exchange of about 74000 emails, texts, and tweets. It brought me back to the day I finished my first 20 miler, and not being able to wipe the smile off my face the entire day. I knew what she was going through, and I was so excited to be able to watch her have a very similar experience.
As she charged towards 22 miles, we exchanged many messages about tips and tricks. The one important message I relayed to Jess was one that I've chanted so many times during a long run:
"Let the run come to you"
So simple, but sometimes so hard to do. At times we get caught up forcing a long run, and manufacturing it to get it just right. Not wanting to have the slightest of errors, we end up "chasing the run" to no avail. I suggested Jess open her mind, and let the run come to her. And with that, she made her first attempt at 22 miles this morning.
She not only ran her first 22 miler of her life, she demolished it. Her words, not mine. And I am so damn proud.
Having this experience with a friend is something pretty damn incredible. Being able to experience all the "firsts", the heartache, and all of the celebrations is awesome. Being able to share all of the knowledge and lessons learned over the past years, and knowing that it might help someone else is such a rewarding feeling.We've talked fueling, lost toenails, socks, and even bra chafage. We've shared the stories of long run hunger, as well as the frustrations of that run that we couldn't get just right.
In 3.5 weeks, Jess will be toeing the line of the Chicago Marathon, which is a race that I absolutely love. It's really the perfect place to experience her very first 26.2 mile distance, and to say I'm excited would be an understatement.
The last few weeks before your first marathon tests your nerves, anxiety and patience. The amount of emotions you can feel in such a short time is pretty surreal. And before you know it, you're waking up race morning, and standing at a line with 40,000 of your closest friends.
Jess - soak up every moment of this experience; you only get to train for your first marathon once. I'm so damn proud of everything you've accomplished, and I cannot WAIT to see that picture of you crossing the finish line in Chicago.
Absolutely love this post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks H - it was fun to write :)
DeleteLove love love this post. You are such an incredible friend. I remember my first 20 miler. Oh my, it hurt so bad. I remember my first marathon. It was so awesome but hurt so much. Your reminder on my half marathon on Sunday that I will never have a first half ironman again was the perfect reminder. The firsts are ones we never forget, so thank you for reminding me to soak it even more in.
ReplyDeleteJess, soak it in. You will have so much fun in Chicago.
I remember screaming at you Sunday "you only get your first Half Ironman, so enjoy every moment". I wanted to let you know that as much as it hurt in the moment, you only get the "first one" once. And you did it damn proud. Congrats again R :)
DeleteOh friend! Now it's MY turn to cry while reading your post. You are quite simply a blessing to me. A beautiful running soul, a friend I am so damn thankful to have in my life on so, so, so many levels. You've helped to instill the confidence and the JOY in me that I can, that I AM doing this thing. I never, ever thought I'd see that day that I'd happily and joyfully cross off "22 miles" from my training plan. Seriously. I have you to thank for helping me let that run come to me today. I am sitting here in such awe. Feeling so thankful, so blessed for the love and friendship and support of beautiful women like you. LOVE you friend, so much. xoxo PS I PROMISE to do you proud on October 7th, PROMISE!!!
ReplyDeleteYou've already done me proud.. Thank YOU for being a beautiful inspiration.. xoxoxo
DeleteGreat post Meaghan! " Let the run come to you" Love that, so true. Jess is going to demolish Chicago ;-) can't wait to have a beer with her and Scott after the race. Well,.. Wine in Jess's case lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim! She IS going to demolish it.. And next time I'm out in Chicago, lets grab a drink and a run!
DeleteAbsolutely! Sounds great.
Delete*barging in* I 'll be there too for a drink! ;-) hehe.
DeleteGo get em Jess! Nice write up Wikie! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joshie!! xoxo
DeleteLove this post, friend, this was the sweetest, most heartfelt post ever, and it was written out of passion and love and pride. And I agree with Jess, you are a beautiful soul and every time we get together, talk, email, I am struck by how much I wish we knew each other sooner! Lots of catching up to do! #creeperstalker (and if I haven't said it enough, thank you for your advice, encouragement and support for Jess's marathon but also my run-journey. you're the best).
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to do a marathon - what a good friend you are :)
ReplyDeleteWow, this was so incredibly well written and such an inspiring way to put training! Jess's posts give me chills every time I read them. She and Scott are truly inspirational! I'm just now starting to run and love it. As a trainer, I really only set out to learn more so I could train my clients. Since then, I've fallen in love with the movement. I just signed up for my first 5k in a month and I'm terrified and excited all at once. Thank you for sharing these thoughts on training. I love the sentiment that you only get your first time once! Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCame across your blog after reading Jess's. Similar to her I am running my first marathon (Marine Corps) next weekend and have been training w/ my husband. I'm sure it was awesome for her to have a friend and supporter like you to provide encouragement throughout the training and to reminisce back to when you were in her shoes. Sounds like you have accomplished quite a lot as your blog is very inspiring! Here is my blog if you're interested. Keep up all of your determination and being a role model for others!
ReplyDeletehttp://imarriedamarathoner.blogspot.com/