Hello friends!

Last weekend I raced those two. Was NOT the day I expected but I’ll give you a quick run-down.

I was “trained”, that is in quotes as I had to pause training for about 7 weeks right at the thick of it because my heart was doing some funny things. After a bunch of tests, time off, etc, I resumed training as best as I could to make up time.

The race itself was amazing. The Championship setup, not so much. Took us a long time to be able to enter on race morning, the tent and portapotties were run over and too crowded, getting to the start was messy, etc. The organization promptly sent an apology and hope they correct those issues for the next championship

After all that start drama, I got to the corrals and was ready to see what the day had in store for me Let’s go! 

The weather was actually perfect. Amazing. Like world record-breaking times weather. Not a spoiler at this point, but the world record actually happened.

Soon after I got moving, around a mile and half in, I knew things were not great. I felt something strange, I couldn’t pick up the pace, my heart rate was weird, I looked down and it was high, really high. 

I then had a “little bit” of an anxiety attack.  Actually, I am not sure if I got anxiety because I wasn’t feeling “right” or because I saw my heart rate spike. Or, if my heart rate spiked because I was having anxiety about how I was feeling. I am really not sure of the order of things or what happened as a consequence of what. It is a little bit of a blur. What I know is that I spent the next 24 miles trying to manage my anxiety, and also dealing with sensory overload. I think because of the anxiety, my senses felt a bit attacked. Everything felt loud, too close, too much. 

It was a bit to manage it all, while keeping my emotions and pace in check. It was not as fun as it always is. But I did my best to keep it all in check, enjoy the bits where I could relax, and keep a decent pace to a strong finish. 

I am quite happy with how I managed the day. It was not easy, and some portions were a struggle but given that I had never had an experience like this, finishing in ok shape was a huge win.

Also, please notice my gorgeous red kit. I got these at adidas the week before. And how amazing is it that I don’t need to test run stuff because I already trust the brand, the materials,  the fit, so I can just roll into a marathon, take the tags off and move along?!?!?! Ha! Check out their gear especially this fab sports bra at their site.

The biggest point of doing this race was the actual Championship. The truth is, given how I felt in the first two miles, I am not sure I would have kept going if it was a regular marathon…  but hey, an age group world championship finish plus two medals were at stake!!!!!

Time to rest, recover, get things looked at, and start getting ready for the next adventure! The New York City Marathon in 3 weeks!!!