My Best Half Is A Fun Half

Here we are again, another Thursday! You know what that means! It's Runners' Lounge Take It and Run Thursday with this week's theme being "How To Run Your Best Half-Marathon In 2009!" I have this to share on that topic:

My "best half marathon" rating would be based on how much fun I had! From someone who ran 6 half-marathons in 25 weeks, I say it can be fun, if you want it to be!

Up until the second before the gun goes off to start the race, I was in control of pretty much all the variables that went into getting me to the starting line. The variables range from my choice for fuel, when I ran, where I ran to who I ran with. The weather is a variable but that's a whole different story. I was the boss and what I said, went!

Once the gun goes off, the dynamics change! I am presented with an array of variables that are out of my control! My fuel and my pace are mine for the taking but that is about it. This is where my half marathon turns into a game which makes the time fly and me fly too!

I can't choose who runs with me! I pay attention to those around me looking for fashion and gear ideas. I take this as an opportunity to learn. As the race goes on, I look for those that may need encouragement and extend it. This makes me feel stronger and more powerful.

I can't choose the route we take! I pay attention to the scenery around me looking for that which may be unique trying to notice three to four things that I can include in my race report blog post. I acknowledge home made signs along the way and pass along a thank you here and there, after all, these folks are doing this for me, someone they don't even know!

The only time I ever appreciate a large number of people yelling at me all at once is when I am running down the homestretch to the finish line. I let their enthusiasm bring out the best in me!

How fitting on this "Take It and Run Thursday", I have the opportunity to tell how I am able to make my best half marathon a fun half marathon when I am thrown an array of uncontrollables, I just "take it and run"!