My race time: 1:03:39 = 10 minute 40 second mile time!!!!
It was a beautiful Fall morning, one where it is still dark outside when you wake up, and you have to use your wipers to wash the dew off your car wind shield. I didn’t know what to expect. Driving into the lot of IBM felt like I was entering a world of the unknown. I literally saw tents all around me and people milling about. But I cold not find my team.
When I found Sharanya at the Team Asha Table I felt ready. I pinned my number onto my bright red Asha shirt, and it was time to run my first race ever. The IBM 10K would be 6.1 miles, with about a mile of a warm up run totaling seven. I never in a million years would have pictured myself at the starting line of a running race, but here I was.
What brought me to train for the half marathon in the first place was the thought of doing something for myself, something where I would have to depend on no one but myself - for a sense of purpose and power. I was responsible for the first spark of energy to begin training, and I was responsible for carrying my momentum across days of training and through my first finish line without giving up on myself. In a world where we are constantly grappling to maintain a sense of control over a life which tosses us endless curve balls, running a race makes the journey seem worth it!
It was the best feeling in the world coming around the five mile marker and speeding up to push my hardest for that last 1.1 mile. When I saw the finish line I began to sprint, feeling the adrenaline pumping my heart, arms, and legs faster than they have ever gone before. I thought about all the negative feelings I had from the week, and threw them away at that last stretch. I was nearing the finish line, and all I wanted to feel was pure gratitude.
They called my name and number and at that moment I felt a sense of accomplishment that nothing else in this life has every created for me. I slapped my team members high fives and grinned one of the best smiles I had ever felt. The happiness came right from my heart and went right back to it. It began with a simple step and ended with a more complete sense of life.
Me running toward The Finish
2 comments:
Halley, I'm so proud of what you did out there today! You were looking really strong and kept up a great pace! Isn't it an amazing feeling to cross that finish line after all the hardwork you've put in? You have such great attitude! I really enjoyed reading your race report.. very insightful... :)
!!!!I'm proud to have you as my teammate. :-)
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