What if I.....DLF???

[AmyBeth68]

Ugh....need some good vibes . I've been busy working and, frankly, licking my wounds from the Applefest Half Marathon where my legs rebelled on me . Now it's a few weeks later and I'm contemplating a CHALLENGING 8 Mile Trail run up steep hills and through densely wooded forest. It's a slow course, with less than 60 runners typically AND....they are all very speedy runners. Put it this way, at a 10 mpm pace which is FAST on this course for ME, I risk being dead last. Do I swallow my pride, steel my ego, and just go for it? I think back to Bingham's words..."the courage to start". I know I'm well trained to finish this race, having run three 13 milers on hills in the past month. But geeze....this somehow feels harder, different and definitely MORE FRIGHTENING! I don't know if I have the courage to start tomorrow, knowing I'll be bringing up the rear. I'll be showing up alone, with nobody to run with. No shame in that...I know that.

So...anyone wanna' slap some sense into me????

 

[tiberius]

Amy,

First off, the WISH motto includes that DLF is greater than DNF!!

Second, last year I was finisher 518 out of 520. There were one male and one female runner back behind me somewhere, but I'll bet you that many of the DNFers wished they could have finished like we did!!

Third off, you need to do this for yourself. Who cares that there are lots of faster runners out there? There are lots faster than me, but you'll not see me shy away from the course!

Fourth, many experienced runners will be able to appreciate that your effort is as good or more than theirs--even though the results are not [How many 2 hour marathoners do you really think want to run for 6 hours at a time!!] and will respect you all the more.

So get off your butt and go run that race!!

The real last place finishers are the ones too afraid to try, you will be a winner once you cross that start line and a true victor once you cross that finish line!!

Your PR times in your signature are way better than mine (22 minutes in the HM and 5+ minutes in the 5K, so I think I know a thing or two about being slow, from where I sit you seem pretty fast!!

 

[MomofCKJ]

I finished 18 out of 21 today in my first ever 5 mile run. I was 5 minutes from being DLF but you know what? Even if I was, I would have been so proud of myself just for finishing and getting out there and doing it. I say go for it! I wore my WISH shirt today and I was happy to have the DLF motto on the back as a reminder.

Allyson

 

[Calcio]

Amy

I completely understand your thoughts and worries. You are such a good runner, quick and strong. You always finish well into the front part of the pack, and the thought of a DLF isn't pretty. We all take a lot of pride in our ability and performance, and seeing yourself finishing behind everyone else in a race is tough.

All I can add comes from Chariots of Fire.

"Where does the strength come from to finish the race?"

"It comes from within."

You're one strong woman. If you decide to step up tomorrow, Good luck.

Craig

 

[Maherae]

Oh, Amy!! {{Hugs}}!!

I can not add any more words of wisdom than what's been said above.

If this is a race you really want to do..go for it. It's nice to be challenged, once in a while. As Craig has said, you are usually up there in the front of the pack, so, sure...this may be different being closer to the back (IF that happens..as JB says, "Adrenalin is a wonderful thing!!"), but so what??!! You are out there for YOU!!! Your WISH team will be with you whatever you decide!! Here's some good vibes for ya---> Anne

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks guys...I needed that kick in the butt. And I *KNOW* for sure there's no shame in finishing last...just finishing...or just starting something that scares ya' is more of a reward than the overall time. We all have our demons...and I know that I need to go slay this particular one tomorrow . I don't like to race alone...so I'll be thinking about you all tomorrow as I struggle up the single track trails! I appreciate your words of wisdom and advice!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow Amy

 

[princessrunner]

Amybeth, I am little late but I still wanted to send you and for your race today. Remember you are never alone when we are all thinking of you!!

Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!

 

[momof2minnies]

I am late to the party too.But I wanted to add that you may just surprise yourself once out there.My first half was here in town where I thought I might know alot of people but said I have to go. How will I feel if I didn't? Never know what I could have done-glad I did.

Remember what you have said to me too.You can never predict race day.I suppose that goes for the positive too.You may feel great others may not,you don't know who lines up at the start,others may feel like you do.

Let us know how things went,

Linda

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks again to everyone!!! You are all so kind and inspiring. I did go to the race this chilly morning. The weather was beautiful though and I finished, despite twisting my ankle a bit in the first mile, and I actually wasn't the last finisher. Close...but not last. Not that THAT would have mattered because I'm just proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone today and doing something that scared me!!

Going to post a race report on the race thread.

Again, you are all so wonderful and I appreciate you so much!!!! I was thinking of you as I was out there in the woods and knew I wasn't alone .

 

[dsnyfan21]

Yeah AMY!!!!
I am so PROUD of you !!!!
I was away and couldn't give you some encouragement, but glad you decided to go out there and do the race!!!!

TRacy

 

[tiberius]

Good work, Amy!
I am more proud of you for going beyond where you felt safe, than for you actually finishing(I am proud for that, too!)

 

[postesf]

You went outside of your comfort zone and did this!! Yay for you. I'm so proud of you!!!

Stacie

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Yay Amy!! I'm glad you ran the race, and who cares if you were last or not (but you weren't so double-YAY!). WTG! What a WISHer...

 

[corinnak]

Nice job putting yourself out there, Amy - it's never easy taking that step outside one's comfort zone, but you did it and that is so awesome. I know we as a group always say that DLF >DNF >> DNS, but when you're the one who may DLF or DNF, the choice to DNS starts to feel more appealing, for sure! Nice job!