With half an hour until the half marathon began, I was nervously excited. It was a dark and cold October morning. The sun had yet to rise, and I shivered in my spandex shorts and long-sleeved shirt, secretly wishing I had worn warmer clothes.
There was a flurry of chaos; hundreds of other female runners and walkers from all walks of life descended upon the starting line, physically and mentally preparing themselves for the course ahead. While many did light jogs to warm up, others talked among friends or family who had come to watch. Upbeat pop music blasted in the air, boosting the already joyful morale.
At that specific moment in time, I wasn’t worried about what my time would be when I crossed the finish line. It didn’t matter to me what place I finished in. All that mattered was that I was ready. I had diligently trained for months for this moment; now was the time to go out there and compete. I was going to race the half marathon to the best of my ability and cross the finish line with the confidence that I gave it everything I had. There would be no regrets.
At 外网天堂, I ran for the cross country and track and field teams for four years. These years were some of the best years of my life. I cherished simple pleasures like going on long runs after classes in the fresh air with my teammates and competing in meets on the weekend, representing myself and the university. I graduated in May of last year with joy and pride. I had accomplished what I set out to do as an athlete for MSJ, making the all-conference team for the HCAC championship cross-country meet my senior year and setting new personal records.
But graduation was just the beginning. Unlike in other sports, my athletic pursuits didn’t have to end after college. One of the most significant advantages of running is that it is an individual sport at heart, and you can do it in your free time without requiring a team. Being a runner for most of my life, starting in grade school, the desire to keep going was never a question on my mind. Besides, I have goals I still want to achieve. It's in your blood when you dedicate yourself to running five to six days a week. Running is a key part of my life, finding and being reminded of my inner strength through every step and every mile. More than a sport, it is something I’m passionate about and a reliable outlet when I need it most.
After graduation, I set my sights on the next great white whale: running another half marathon. Previously, I ran two half-marathons in high school. They were both for the Honor Run Half Marathon in Florence, Ky. When I got to college, I put the goal of completing another one on the back burner due to my commitment as a student-athlete and the designated training plan that comes with it. However, once I graduated, that goal was again on the table, and I knew I could make it a reality. I decided that I was going to run the Queen Bee Half Marathon in October. Over the rest of the summer and into the fall of last year, I ran almost every day, going for runs after work and gradually building up my mileage week after week. Soon, I was ready for the task at hand.
Initially, one of the most demanding challenges I found in being an athlete after college was making time for running and adjusting to accommodate it within my busy schedule. As an athlete at MSJ, I had a designated time slot for practice and training. But, after college, you have greater demands on your free time through working a full-time job, which takes up a good chunk of your day. Finding time won't be an issue if you practice the values of discipline and organization. Discipline motivates you to stay committed to your sport and keeps you on track for positive progress. If you’re disciplined, you remain focused on the goals you’re working towards, avoid distractions, and your actions reflect your commitment.
I stay dedicated to running by setting aside at least 30 minutes and, at most, an hour every evening after work to run. Also, I like to squeeze in a run or two on the weekends. If 30 minutes is too long, you can shorten your workout depending on your day. Not every day will be the same; some days, you’ll do less, and some days, you’ll feel like you can go the extra mile, and that’s okay. Ultimately, you’ll make time for the things you genuinely care about. As an individual, it is essential to do what you say you’ll do, and you must hold yourself accountable, especially if you’re an athlete.
There are three valuable insights I learned while running in the Queen Bee Half Marathon:
Bee Bold: The thought of running 13.1 miles at the beginning of a half marathon can be daunting, but it’s not something you have to fear. Running requires feeling, not thinking, and diving headfirst into the unknown. Where would it get you if you ruminated over every step while you ran? Your mind would be in a pile of knots, and your performance would suffer. Running is best when you let your gut do the talking. Focus on your breathing and get into a comfortable pace that can take you far. Take that first step and see what happens. You don’t know if you don’t try.
After the gun went off, I released my anxious energy and used it to propel me forward. Listening to my gut, I settled into a pace I knew I could maintain for a long time so I wouldn’t burn myself out later. The atmosphere was electric; crowds lined up on each side of the road, cheering and waving. They held homemade signs and yelled words of encouragement. I focused on remaining consistent and putting one foot in front of the other, enjoying the buzz in the air and the increasing warmth of the sunrise.
Bee Brave: Around the sixth mile of the half marathon, I felt the one thing every runner dreads: a cramp. It wasn’t an ideal situation; the pain was coming from the left side of my stomach. If I had chosen to stop, I would have lost the substantial ground I had already gained. That wasn’t an option. In running and life, you must face pain and inconveniences head-on, even when it hurts, and every part of you wants to give in. It is through the pain that you learn how to overcome.
Perseverance is a wonderful thing. It teaches you how capable you are and of your inner power. I didn’t give up; I got creative. Massaging the cramp with my hand and taking deep breaths in and out, the cramp eventually faded until it was gone completely. I was free. My steps felt much lighter. Staying determined will get you through challenges and take you to places you never imagined you could be.
Bee You: I recently read a profound quote in a book: “Be the person you needed when you were younger." When I first read this quote, it brought tears to my eyes because of its stark truth. As a younger runner, I put too much pressure on myself and never allowed myself to let loose, trust my abilities, and have fun. It wasn’t until I started college that I truly embraced who I was as a runner, which was the key to unlocking my full potential. I released my self-doubt and let myself race the way I wanted to without the desire for perfection.
Today, I’m running the best I ever have. I’m where I’m meant to be, which brings me back to the Queen Bee. It was nearing the end of the race, and I could see the finish line approaching. My legs ached from the hard effort exerted throughout the morning. But I was so close. I could taste the victory of the finish line on my lips. Now was the time. When would I get this opportunity again? I had to stake my claim and take what was mine.
With all my energy left, I sprinted as hard as I could towards the finish. Time seemed to stand still as I crossed and accepted my medal. I had reached my goal and achieved a personal record for the half marathon, finishing in an hour, 34 minutes, and 20 seconds. I placed 34th overall. It was an immense accomplishment, and I felt nothing but gratitude and happiness; it swelled inside me, threatening to burst like a balloon. My final piece of advice is this: lean into your inner greatness. Never give up on yourself. Believe that you have what it takes because you do.