Embrace the Discomfort

As we near Halloween and have already had our first snowfall, the running season is all but over here in Minnesota. Sure we still have those Turkey Trot runs but soon I'll be having some quality one on one time with the treadmill and bike trainer. Part of me is sad as running in the great outdoors is so calming, I can look back on an incredible season. These post are always tough to write as one doesn't want to come across as boasting or bragging. Like fellow athletes who write such as Jaci and Mike Loween, the ultimate goal is to inspire or have a positive impact on someone else. With that, if you choose to continue on, below is my write up of the Fargo Mini.

Coming off of a PR at Dick Beardsley in DL and riding a high from being able to run with Dick Beardsley himself twice I was excited to see what could happen in Fargo. With my performance at the Matt Kjelland run, I received a signed poster from Dick where he wrote, "Keep running and keep winning." If you need any more motivation than that, I'm not sure what to tell you! SO, I cranked out some hard speed workouts and tried to rest a full day or two before the race. Those who know me know that the word "taper" is not in my vocabulary. My alarm was set for 3am, I had some breakfast and drove up to Fargo. I checked in, stashed my bag and had a 2nd mini breakfast and tried to stretch out a bit. Luck was on my side as there was a 1:30 pacer and the weather was forking perfect. A gorgeous cool, crisp and sunny morning in Fargo and it was Calm! As if that wasn't a good ENOUGH equation for a PR, the course was changed due to some flooding and we got to loop out around the Moorhead Country Club making for some great open country road running.

Just before the gun went off, the pacer asked who planned to go sub 1:30 and a few people spoke up. I ignored his question and just planned on hanging with him for as long as possible. As usual, the first few miles you see people going out hot and heavy and you know you'll be seeing them soon as they usually fade and it takes the first 5k to kind of get into rythm. I've learned to never pass up an aid station and actually took time to stop and drink some fluids without spilling 80% of it on myself trying to run and drink. I also religiously consumed my Cliff bloks to ensure my body had the fuel it needed. I guess I'm becoming a smarter runner too! Miles 7, 8 and 9 came and went and I was still hot on the tail of the pacer. Those miles, about 6-11 were great as we were on the outskirts of town and able to enjoy the open road. As we made our way back into downtown and found ourselves back on the trails and twist and turns, my legs started to feel like jello and my muscles were tight as could be. This is were you just have to suck it up and embrace the discomfort. Some call it the hurt locker, some people get to this point and quit or back off. I am guilty of doing this in the past, it's where I think I have improved the most to be honest. The mental toughness aspect, the ability to push on or even push harder. That is how 2019 has been such a success.

There I was, about half mile from Scheels Arena and stride for stride with the 1:30 pacer. He yelled at me to finsih strong and I found an extra gear. Well, not really an extra gear put somehow found a way to empty the tank and leave it all out there. As I rounded the last corner I could see the official timer clock and it had just turned to 1:29:00, I had somehow managed to go sub 1:30! I was beyond exhausted but the sight of chocolate milk gave me a reason to not just lay down somewhere on the floor. THere is simply nothing better than chocolate milk after a race, Nothing!!!

I will leave you with a comparison of my first ever half marathon and my new PR. Ten years SEPARATE the two, 20 half marathons and countless miles. If you goals don't scare you, they aren't big enough.

fargo Mini: 1:29:27 • 14th Overall • 10th Male • 2nd AG

Up next? YMCA Turkey Day 5k then Rock N ROll Arizona

Thanks to the folks at #TribeRacing because #TribeRules and the #WattieInkHitSquad for the support and motivation!