Feb 12 Adversity --- Boston 2012

Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.
Ralph Blum

This is a note about a friend of mine who overcame adversity on the way to a race and came out on top.  Those of us that live in the midwest are use to running in the cold, but let's face it, we all would love to run in shorts and short sleeves shirts in February.  So, if you get a chance to run someplace warm, you should take advantage of it.  Stephanie is one of the many talented runners in the Elmhurst Running Club.  Dedicated to her sport, she is always working on improving her times and has been sharing some good training and racing information with me.  

Stephanie like all of us runners, spend hours, weeks and months training for one race.  One opportunity to run a course that we have never seen before, or finish with a new personal record.  This is what we do.  We savor those moments.   We spend so much time controlling our body and food intake that we forget about the unexpected.  We forget that there are things that can come up outside of our control and they could happen on race weekend.  It is how we deal with the unexpected that determines whether or not we are mentally tough and ready for our race.  

Last Friday, Stephanie and a group of runners from the ERC headed to Birmingham to run the Mercedes Half Marathon.  All was good until the snow in Chicago started to wreck havoc with the flight schedule.  After a cancelled flight, and lost luggage she finally was reunited with her bag made it to her destination.  A good night's sleep and she was ready to tear up the course.  Then, more of the unexpected.  The temperature was unusually cold, in the low 20's.  Then, arm cramps at miles 7,8,and 9 and headwinds at 11,12,and 13.  Her hopes of a half marathon PR vanished.  However, she PR'd on her 10K split, finished 13th woman overall and got 1st in her age group.  Now that is what I call an All-Star performance.  Stephanie overcame a bunch of adversities, worked through the unexpected and came out a winner.  Her fight and determination are a good example of what it means to never give up.  Great job Steph!!!!!!  I know you will PR on a half soon and when you do, it will be one for the books.  Keep on running and inspiring.

Workout:       Planned 5.5 Miles

Completed:   6 Mile Run

Cold early morning run.  Out the door at 5:00 a.m. Street run in the dark.  Easy

pace.  Legs felt good.