Yep, I finished a half marathon.
I posted its image on my personal facebook profile right after the race, and received tons of accolades for a jobs well done. People were incredibly positive and incredibly kind.
But I felt bad about it.
Don’t get me wrong. 13.1 one miles is not an easy feat. I think it’s a great challenge that people should take on. I’m moved by the images of people pushing themselves to a new level of fitness. I’m moved by people who dedicate months in the training process. I think it is a good thing. This particular race was made even tougher as it took place the Sunday right after we “sprung ahead,” so all runners had one less hour of sleep on that early morning.
Again, it’s quite challenge.
But I know I didn’t do my best.
There are a few areas where I am proud. I still did the race even after my flight the night before was delayed and even if my training wasn’t the best. I could have just not done the event, but I did it.
Here’s why I’m disappointed. I know I didn’t do my best.
I signed up for the half marathon in October, but didn’t really get into training until January and even then it was spotty. I did improve certain areas. I was getting better at running, but I started too late. My longest run before the race was 8 miles which I did at about a 12.5 minute pace. After that, I skipped a run here or there or spent the minimum amount of time at the gym.
For this half, my time breakdowns went as follows:
5K:: 31:51 (10:15 pace)
10K:: 1:06:13 (10:40 pace)
10 miles:: 1:55:51 (11:36 pace)
13.1 miles:: 2:40:38 (12:16 pace)
I’ll do the basic math for you. My last 3 miles averaged about 15 minutes a piece.
I can actually excuse some of the earlier increases in time to a bathroom break line, a bit of fatigue, and a steep hill at mile 9, but the last 3 miles?
That’s just poor training. I could have done better. I know I could, but I didn’t train well enough. My 10 miles was already a faster pace than my final 8 mile run, but that was just it. I didn’t train well enough to finish strong. The race was a wakeup call–1st in my ability and secondly, in my need to push myself more. I was 10 minutes faster than my half marathon time in 2004, but that half was part of a full marathon–not a finish line.
So why this post?
I think it’s easy–especially towards this part of the year, to accept mediocrity as success. To say that simply achieving something is good enough.
That we simply need to cross the finish line.
Yes, there are times when that was the case. My marathon in 2004 was one of those moments. That race was about completion.
But other times it’s about our approaching and us tapping into our true capability.
Real success comes from a daily effort. I didn’t commit to that to the best that I could for this half. I didn’t give up, and that’s good, but I didn’t fully dial in either.
As you approach these last few months in this school year, ask yourself the same question. Are you really doing your best work, or are you just getting by?
I for one don’t want to just get by.
It’s been one week since the half. I’ve hit the gym several times and I’ve already hit new records for lifting. I’m dialing in. My fiancee and I are already making plans for our next half later in the year–that one will be much better!