Half Marathon at Boston Qualifying Pace

Today's race was unbelievable in 5 remarkable ways.

1. The weather was cool - in the 70's
2. My husband sacrificed his club bike ride to take and support me for the second race in less than 2 weeks - Team Weaver working over time
3. The course was beautiful - much was on trails through a park - my favorite.
4. I ran despite the lack of sleep and training in the last 3 weeks since I was hired.
5.  I was able to run at my marathon pace.I finished in 2:03:08!!!!!!!!!!!

I still cannot believe I was able to keep that pace for 13.1 mile.  My goal was 9:30  per mile, and when I looked at the times, each mile was just a little under - 9:26, 9:23. 9:24.  It was fairly consistent. One mile - 11 - was over 10 minutes.  I remember that subtle climb beside the highway and running into the wind.  And one mile - 12 - was considerable faster - 9:15.  I don't remember much about that mile. What really made the difference was I stuck to the plan.  All those . 04 and .03 seconds less that 9:30 worked to to bring my pace to 9:28 despite the 10 minute mile.

I had two hours to think about all this training and wondering  if it would pay off.  I have actually been working toward qualifying for Boston for a year and a half.  Things I realized about my self:

1. I like to dream big and start things, but I'm not good at follow through and ending well.
2. I think about quitting the closer I get to the end, and the harder it gets.
3. I am very task oriented and independent.  GIve me a goal and I will head toward it.  That is why I like running, I don't have to pass the ball to anyone or depend on someone to play defense for me.  I just have to run my pace.
4. I have  gotten better at this since I' ve gotten older.  How can I ever forget the college P.E /weight management class I dropped two weeks from the end of the semester because I was getting a B for not following the food plan. I've come a long way.

And finally, here are some observations of and lessons learned from goals

1. Goals are achieved one step at a time  and over time.
2. Some goals may not be achievable especially if you just pick them because they sound impressive.
3. Goals can be adjusted to be reasonable.

Can I qualify for Boston in a month at the Chicago Marathon?  Can I run this pace for 26.2 miles with more sleep and better training for the next 4 weeks? If I do qualify, how will I get off work in the middle of state testing? 

All I really know about goals and my race today is that is that my goals are only good and attainable if they are in God's will and by His power.  That is what happened today.  I asked my Father, the God of the universe, to help me keep that 9:30 pace.  He said , "Sure." Thank you Father.