Loop de Loop Half Marathon #10

I had to take a few moments following half marathon #10 to take in the awesome feeling I had about

I finished half
marathon #10!

coming this far in my journey.  After the first few races this year, I knew I had a shot to run one a month but getting to this point feels a little surreal.  I know I still have a journey in front of me and I can’t simply coast by to make it.  I’m ready to give it my best shot.

I was given the opportunity to run another race doting on the Iowa countryside.  Half marathon #10 took place in Decorah, IA along the Trout Run Trail. The trail has received regional and national recognition and I can see why. The trail starts in town but quickly transitions to bluffs, farmland and wide open space.  I definitely want to go back and bike this trail.  During my half marathon journey, I’ve been exposed to the most beautiful trails. I may need to start a travel blog to share the top 10 to-do list in these great towns!

We ran the trail backwards, which had its pros and cons on this particular day.  A pro was the first part

There was a unique trout statue that
we ran under during our race.

was much more hilly and we finished the last few miles on relatively flat land. A con was that there was super gusty winds right in our face most of the race.  In addition, while the temps were cooler (low 60s), the humidity was high. It was partly cloudy and did start to rain near the end.

I’m glad the trail was unique and fun because my race was not. I ran my last race two weeks ago.  The last time I ran races two weeks a part, the second race was better.  That just wasn’t the case this time. I didn’t feel like my body had fully recovered from the last one and I could feel it as soon as the race started. My legs were sore and stiff.

While I had put in the run training for this race, my fueling and mind were not set. Everyday life took a toll

The Trout Run Trail is a multi-use
trail and I highly recommend
running, biking or walking on it!

on my performance. I don’t feel like I ate to fuel in the past couple of weeks, instead eating to indulge. I was also stressed at work and let my worries control my thinking. We all struggle with these challenges. I know that if I can work towards prioritizing my efforts, I can find a balance.  It just wasn’t there this time.  It’s great learning lesson to remember that it takes more than just going through the motions or thinking that training alone is enough.  It takes a balance of training, fueling and mindfulness to get the best out of myself!

Despite the challenge, I didn’t let myself give up. I lined up for this race and I finished.  That has been my goal from the first day.  Now my time reflected my effort at almost 1:49 but I know I worked for each step and each mile of this race.  It was a pretty hilly course for the first several miles and I even walked a couple of times.  The fall scenery of turning leaves and corn ready to harvest was calming and beautiful.  It helped me appreciate just being out for a run, especially thinking about how I’d have 131 race miles completed once I crossed the finish line (what a cool feeling! Now I need to add up all my training mileage!).  I have much to be thankful for as a part of this journey!

Miss FitGab