Still smiling

I had a goal to run the Around The Bay 30K race in a PB time of 1:56. I trained hard through the winter and stuck to my schedule despite tough training conditions — freezing temps, icy roads, knee deep snow. Then, three weeks out from the race, I sustained a hamstring injury. It stopped me from training properly from there on in, but I was still hopeful that I’d be able to race. I laced up on race day and started out on goal pace. However, by 10K I started to struggle with tightness around my injury and by 13K I knew I couldn’t maintain my pace. Instead of risking further damage, I decided to slow down and jog and walk back while cheering on other runners.

So…

How am I taking this? How do I feel? What of all the work gone to waste? What’s next?

I feel fine, I’m happy for the work I’ve done, I’m optimistic and, most importantly, I’m still smiling.

After my race, my husband sent me a Winston Churchill quote. If you ever need to channel some optimism, grit, determination, inspiration and inner strength, look to Churchill. Here are some reasons I have to smile, backed by his words:

1. I’m smiling because I did manage to run through this brutal winter, and having a goal pulled me along where I otherwise may have run a lot less!
– “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

2. I’m smiling because I can still run. Being injured makes you realize how much you take for granted. I can’t run hard (right now) but I can run, which I’ll continue to do until I can run hard again.
– “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

3. I’m smiling because I’m optimistic about my future running. I’ve learned that I can’t take little things for granted, like not doing core/strengthening exercises. With my renewed focus I know I will come back stronger.
– “I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.” – Winston Churchill

4. I’m smiling, because if you’re not smiling, then you should stop until you can, and I’m not stopping.
– “War is a game that is played with a smile. If you can’t smile, grin. If you can’t grin, keep out of the way till you can.” – Winston Churchill