Watch out Boston Marathon, Here Comes VingNation!
On Sunday May 10th, I rose at the ungodly hour of 4:30am, ate breakfast, dressed in my running gear, laced up my Asics and hit the road to Mississauga. I slept only a wink the night of the 9th; the anticipation of the Mississauga Marathon had gotten to me. I was a bundle of nerves and a mountain of excitement. It was finally race day and I was so ready to own the road and kill it!
My brother was the lucky one whom got to drive me to my race and we dance partied my little nations nerves away-- car styles!
I hit the start line at 7:25 am as close to the front as I could get, set my Ipod+nike, and did my pre race ritualsa big hug to myself, a rub to the earlobes (don't ask) and three big bounces. At 7:30 am they let off a canon and all 1392 of us hit the road running. As soon as I began I knew the day was my day. I felt strong and steady and ready to own those 42.2 Km with every ounce of my being.
It was a chilly morning, which in all honesty I was not prepared for. I was hoping to sport my dark pink sleeveless dri fit shirt but unfortunately I had to wear long sleeves that had me in all black. It annoyed me some but I put it out of my mind and focused on the task at hand. About 15K into the run, I gots to thinking about how I was wearing all black and how in all actuality it was quite fitting. I had set out to kill that marathon thus I started seeing it as though I were the grim reaper of the race and it only increased my motivation and my strength.
As you can imagine when out running for 3 and half hours you have an extravagant amount of thoughts and thorough thought processes. My top ten that day were the following:
1. My pace and staying on target. I wore a breakdown of my pace on my left wrist. It was broken down by every other km and the time I would need to complete my goal. It was amazingly helpful but also an awesome distraction.
2. The songs buzzing through my ears left me inspired and motivated. Each song on my Mississauga Marathon Playlist represented someone or something in my life that continuously inspire and motivate me, just by being so great.
3. I focused on smiling the entire race. I have always been told that it takes much less energy to smile then to frown therefore I was saving energy to put towards my hard working legs.
4. To instill positivity I thought about the people and things I loved. I chanted I love yous to all of those amazing individuals in my life in my head.
5. I celebrated the little things. At 21K I stomped on the race pad furiously and cheered feverishlyI am half way there! Only 21.1K to go! Spectators looked on and I know were probably saying wow that girl has gone and tots lost her marbles.
6. I believed in the run with every ounce of my being. I consistently reminded myself that this is what it is all about and that I was actually loving everyone milli second of it.
7. I cheered on other runners. At around the 25 or so mark (I think) we ran a loop so I gots to see the first place runners. I cheered for them with all the excitement I could muster. I also had the pleasure of seeing some runners from my clinic, I cheered for them with so much excitement, I am not going to lie it left me a tad zonked. Thank god for my gels!
8. At 2K to go I looked at the man running next to me and gave him a hellz yaanother individual whom most definitely probably thought wow this gal is on a crazy train.
9. I chanted my mantras and pictured 3:30 BOSTON IS MINE in my minds eye. Starting that war, digging deep and believing in that 3:30 kept me going!
10. I reveled in every single moment. I opened my heart and my being to everything and everyone around me. I did not want to ever forget how wonderous every inch of those 42.2K felt.
I had a million dollar day. I was 5 minutes ahead of pace for the majority of the run and I felt amazingly awesome. With 2K to go the tears began flowing. I knew I was going to actually do what I had set out to accomplish. Boston was so mine. As I approached the finish, my personal cheering squad stood anxiously awaiting my arrival. They were screaming, cheering and cryingas was I. I hit the line through my hands up and had a full on happy tantrum. I get chills and a tear in my eye when I think about it. My heart was smiling so big it almost burst. I can assure you I will always remember that particular moment as one of my happiest.
My results were as follows: My Chip time was 3 hours 29 minutes and 15 seconds. I came 201st place over all; I was 11th in my category and 25th in my gender. My overall pace was 5 minute per km. I owned the Mississauga Marathon and Boston 2010 is so mine! I cannot wait to gear up my little nation and rock the roads in Boston. Hellz ya!
 Sarah Vingoe | |
| About the author: | |
Vingoe's column will share her perspective on the everyday things that enlighten her, the people in her life that inspire her and the places and products that motivate and excite her. An avid blogger, Vingoe is to the point, sincere and always looking for a way to learn a lesson, shed some light or discover something new about herself or others. | |
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Congrats on a great run and an amazing time!