Emerald City Half Recap

 Going into unknown territory with nothing more than your bones, muscles and a desire to succeed can be extremely overwhelming at times. Not knowing what to expect around the corner, or what problem may be thrown your way send most people into their programmed state of fight or flight.

Having confidence in your ability to handle and approach situations like these is pretty much what racing is like. As distance runners we all know that at some point that fun and enjoyment we get out of hearing the crack of a starting pistil will subside. and the reality of the situation will soon begin to take weigh in on us. Quickly, we begin to make equations in our head calculating energy vs. distance hoping that we can get the most out of our $0.02. It is at that point where often times we are defined. We must come face to face with our demons, and go to war with lactate.

Being okay with being uncomfortable is pretty much exactly what you wish to accomplish in marathon training. Preparation. Did I eat right all those nights? How much do I weigh? I should’ve taken it easier this week. I should’ve ran more miles last month. All of these thoughts begin to race through your head, but knowing there is a choice early on and preparing for war can give you a tremendous opportunity to find out your true potential on race day.

The battle within turns into a head game with your biggest enemies, and the only thing you can do is hope you’ve built that Orb to handle these uncomfortable and often painful situations. With increased fitness and a strong mindset, by God you can take on the world! Or at least that's what you think.

Emerald city was a great way to find confidence in my ability to be uncomfortable. Luckily, I had two of my friends Breydon Gates and Jeremy Anderson there to help me along the way. From the gun, Jeremy ran side-by-side with me helping me quickly get into a good rhythm. Clicking off mid 5:30’s and enjoying the Dublin countryside I was surprised by how "enjoyable" this was. Breydon met us at mile 9, and helped me cut down the pace for the last 4 miles. By then the legs started to get heavier and heavier, but found that I could override this feeling simply by not thinking much about it.

The last two miles I had a mix of feelings. I couldn’t help but think about how in just 7 weeks, I will be expected to double the distance I’m racing today. But I also thought about how good it was to get back on the roads, and be able to win these small battles within myself. How breaking a tape and crossing the line in first is something I haven’t felt in a very long time, and how in the grand scheme of things, maybe I’m doing okay for myself.

I had a mix of emotions, but all in all it was a great experience put on by M3S Sports and Ohio Health Network. Dublin is a beautiful place to race, and I’m happy I was able to run a new PR and win the Emerald City Half Marathon. Here’s to a healthy and bountiful 7 weeks of training before taking on the great battle the Columbus Marathon.

- BJW

Alone In The Woods

Solidarity and being alone are amenities one might find uncomfortable or hard to deal with, but for me these conditions are exactly what I need to create myself into the runner I most desperately needed. I have lived alone in a small one-bedroom home right outside the gorgeous Strouds Run State Park since May of this year, and it has brought such blissfulness and peace into my life.

I find that when put in a situation where you have no other option but to adapt to your surroundings, I become obsessed with the routine and free of all things that may have brought me down before. The ability and freedom to mold yourself into whomever you wish to become, and the realization that most of life's problems that are thrown at you is bull shit. It is a very rare opportunity to have, and I don't plan to waste it.

For me, I want to become a marathoner. I want to run under two hours and thirty minutes at the Columbus Marathon on October 15th, and I'll do anything to do so. I'm very new to the idea of racing more than 3 or 5 miles at a time, so being out there for 26.2 miles terrifies me. The only way I know how to not let that fear overcome me is out there on the roads. Focusing on The Task. Living by the clock, just like Quenton taught me to do. Trying to beat myself up, adapt, and become better than what I was yesterday. The cruel and rewarding lifestyle of the Trial of Miles. Within these realms of life, nothing can hurt you.

So here I am 74 days outside of making my marathon debut, wishing that the fitness and realization I have today would've arrived months ago; But, you deal with what you're dealt with. As I move forward I find that I'm at peace with where I am today, and excited for who I may become tomorrow.

Seems fitting to end with a passage from Rudyard Kipling's "If" heading into marathon season...

"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to nerve your turn after they are gone, 

and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'"

- BJW