Greenland 25K

Last month after running the Xterra 24K, I was a bit disappointed in my race results. The best way to describe it was that I wasn't a bit sore the day after the race. My kind and helpful husband signed me up for the Greenland 25K to give me a chance to remedy the situation. I'd worked really hard for three weeks between the races and was feeling quite optimistic until the week before the race when the usual butterflies and doubts made their entrance. Husband to the rescue for the second time. He talked me down from the edge by reminding me that this race was going to be fun. And of course, he was right as usual. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the sounds of birds, cows, and trains along the course. It also helped that we had talked through a race strategy. When the pain came, I was able in small measure to push it aside and focus on the plan. I'd read an inspiring race report just days before. (I bet you can guess who pointed it out to me? That's right him again!) In the race report, the writer had mentioned the idea of hunting down the other runners in the last stages of the race. Long ago, I'd loved passing runners at the end of races, but have recently lost my hunting instincts to the point of letting other runners pass me near the end of races. I'm happy to say that no one passed me in the last four miles of the race. Even on the hills. The final time wasn't all that I'd hoped, but still faster by a bit than last month. (This race was a mile or more longer than last time around.) I did get to pass about five or so other runners in the last four miles. Not a bad turn around from the way that I've gotten used to running races. It was a mental victory! I must also add that this afternoon, heading downstairs to hit the treadmill, I was still gingerly lowering my weight to account for the pain in my thighs. I guess I did meet my goals after all!