Age Group Award - Detroit Free Press Marathon

It took over 2 months but age group awards were sent out last week for the Free Press races that took place on October 18th and 19th.  Considering that they are personalized and engraved, plus the number that had to go out, the wait makes sense.  The timing was good, coming during week 7 of my running hiatus.  Yes, because of my hamstring injury I haven't been running for SEVEN WEEKS!  So yes, the little reminder that I could once run was nice.

I've won my age group in races before - even in my first marathon - but I've never been as proud of winning as this.  This wasn't an easy race to run.  I was injured before the race even started, my pacing went to sh*t at mile 1, everything was hurting by mile 12 and I had to really push myself to keep going.  My time was 3:08:48.  I finished 15th woman, 118th overall. I qualified for Boston 2016.  But when I was done, all I could think of was that I wanted to have run it faster.  And the fact that I could barely walk.  Now all I can think is that I want to run again.  

It's interesting how a couple months can change things.  Looking back, I am thankful for the race I ran, for what it taught me, and for everything I learned leading up to it.  I love that I fought hard and earned this award, and for that I will cherish it.  However, I will also let it be my reminder to train smarter and pace better.  And to listen to my body so that I will be ready to run again.  

Photo credit: Brian Wolski