Big Homie On The Move: 2019 Reflection

With 2019 winding down and all my races for the year being complete, looking forward to recharging the batteries.

Reflection

I had some success this year, but I did have a few setbacks. Setbacks are what show us how we get know what we are capable of. The real point is how do we handle the setback. How does one learn from the experience in order to move forward?

Bad Race Day

Every now and then you have a bad run. Some of us wasI ran the Mayor's Cup this year. When I run I like to still have fun and this is a great team event that I could participate in. The earnest lands squarely on me. According to my training plan, 10k distance was in the plan for my long run. The race was held at the Belmont Plateau, not a far travel from my home. I think I was too quick to sign-up for the race and participate with the Black Men Run Philadelphia. I saw that the race would be held on the trails and thought "that's no big deal, I can handle a little trail running. And its only 10k, I can handle that no problem."

I was in for a rude awaking. First of all, I do a lot of running on the roads. Yes, I do run a couple of trails however, for the most part these are easy access, smooth trails with a mix of pavement, gravel, and dirt. No roots, ruts, rocks, slippery stones to get in the way. I was not thinking trail running like when trail hiking. I was thinking trail running, as an in easy stroll on Sunday morning listening to Lionel Richie and sipping coffee looking at the birds and deer. To put it bluntly, I was not prepared for the terrain. And last point, I was still thinking in my mind, that less than half 10k was on the trail and most of it would be roads and what not. BIG mistake.

View from Belmont Plateau of the Philadelphia skyline

I was running with Black Men Run for the Mayor's Cup festivities. I have been a member for a while, but this is the first time I have been able to attend an event with the club in person. I arrive early, because I want allow plenty of time for fellowship before the various events. I had a great time meeting up with everyone before the 10k trail race. Only a couple of us were running this event. As I was walking over to the start area, our Captain David gives me some great advice, gives me the lay of the land, and cracks a couple of jokes. He could tell I was getting a little nervous. The most important advice he said was "... run your race and have fun." And that really was what I came out for the day to do. A lot of the clubs running today had members that were really familiar with the course due to that is big cross country training section with people in the area. I sigh a little bit to myself just hearing that. However when the start horn goes off, all that goes to the way side and I run towards the trail entrance with everyone jockeying for position before the trail narrows.

My personal goal was to stay within sight of the pack. This way I could see everyone stepping over and around various obstacles on the trail. A small trick I learned as a kid when I was in Boy Scouts when I would go through various hiking trails with friends in other troops at scout reservations. I should have listened more to the younger me, because about a mile into the trail, as I think I am making decent time even for myself, I get to a muddy section. I did not wear my real trail running running shoes. Merrell by the way. I was wearing my Hokas. Still breaking them in for my half marathon coming up September. As I was saying, getting to the muddy section, I tip-toed around...whoops. Yup, your man slipped. The spot looked firmed. At least the guy running with me checked on me. I was not hurt, just my pride. From this point I heard the young me say, "Didn't I tell you to just put on the trail shoes?"

As I said, I was not mentally prepared for the terrain. I should have listened to my inner voice and wore my trail shoes. That would have given me more confidence with footing. After falling, and dusting myself off, I did move slower around the trail. I had a lot of fun running up, down, around, over, and kinda under everything. There was one spot around the halfway point, where the course directors yelled out stay to the right, because the left side coming down hill was washed out and you could not tell from your advantage point. Really great looking out. However, I still got slower as the day went on.

Let me skip to almost the end of the race. As I get towards the 5 mile marker, I get passed by one lady, who thought she was lost. I could see the course markers and knew we were not. She exchanged pleasantries, and continued on to the water station. I figured, I will pick up the pace when after I got to the last water station. I get out for the final loop to the finish line and Ann (whom I met on the trail earlier that day) came running up to me. Ann thought I got lost. Nope, I was just enjoying the scenery. Then she broke the news to me, I am the last person on the course. WHAT! I mean, I know I am slow. And I have been one of the last people on a lot runs, but never the last person. With that news Ann ran with me the last mile to the finish line. She timed us and we covered that last mile in 11:30. I was really impressed because thats one my fastest miles to date. My finishing time was 2:00:00, and also placed DFL [Dead F***ing Last] for the 10k. Well, that was an experience.

What did I learn

Now I would normally be dejected from my performance that day. Going into the day I wanted to have a great time and enjoy a nice day at the Plateau. In hearing so many other runners stories on their worst race day, some of them reflected back on their bad race experience as a lesson in life. I asked myself how did I really feel about my performance? I think I should have ran faster if I was 1) More familiar with the terrain 2) Just listened to my inner voice and wore my trail shoes for better footing.

I needed to run 10k as part of my training program and I did that. I still felt great physically and really felt like I had more miles to run, even though it was August and really hot. I did have an excellent time with finally attending an event with BMR Philadelphia. Lastly I had fun. And having fun is what the day was about. Just running and having fun.

Not ever run is your best run. You will have good days and bad days. There will be times you go out and feel like you are giving it all you got. When you get home and look at your watch or running app on your smart device just to find out that it was not a great day time wise. Then there are other days, you go out the door, and the whole time you are out there, it feels like a struggle from the very first step. It feels like quick sand the entire time. The whole world seems to be moving faster than you. Then you look back at the data, and what do you know, it's one the best outings you have had in a while. I thick back on some of my not so fun moments for the year. I learned a little something each time:

Stay true to my fueling the day before a long run
Get enough rest and listen to my body
Hydration is still key, keep the cramps away
Cross training, even a little bit, can be beneficial
My timing is not the end

I on my agenda for 2019 that I would run at least one half marathon race. I did that by running two of them in the fall. Using the Rock' N Roll Half as a tune up for the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. Everything I learned along the way helped me get to my goal race for the year. And best of all, I still had fun along the way. So I will take that into my off season as I gear up for my spring races and try to tackle something else next year.

No matter what, keep up with positive movement. Good things will happen.