Huge props to all who ran Boston yesterday! It was a sizzling hot exercise in perseverance to say the least.
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While I didn’t run Boston yesterday, I am a survivor and finisher of the very hot and cancelled Chicago Marathon 2007. I cussed up a storm through much of the race and immediately after finishing I vowed never again to partake in marathon lunacy. But once I cooled off, came out of my heat-induced delerium and regained some semblance of composure, I realized that even this heinous experience has its rewards:
- Unlimited Potential. If you didn’t know it already, you realize during your death march, that you are capable of so much more than you ever imagined. A lesson that carries very nicely through the other facets of life.
- Adaptability. You learn to let go of what you can’t control. Even though Chicago ’07 was my first marathon, I had a fairly well-defined plan of how I wanted to run that race: paces, fuel, outfit everything. It all went out the window with the rising mercury. I grieved for the loss of that perfect race scenario, (I may have collapsed into the Caveman’s arms sobbing before entering the starting corrals) but then I let go, sucked it up and adapted to what the day brought.
- Perspective. Extreme conditions have a way of making us let go of pretenses, vanity and competitiveness. When you’re death marching you pretty much don’t care that the chick in front of you has on a skirt that’s riding up. Or that there’s a strong shit smell in the air. You couldn’t care less how hi-viz your top is, what pace you’re keeping, how many people you are picking off or vice versa. There are far more important issues: like the guy next to you who is reeling from the heat, the never-ending drone of ambulance sirens, runners lining the road receiving emergency care, and the wheelchair racer who is still on the course but refuses to be helped up over a bridge.
- Creativity and ingenuity. Probably out of necessity, these qualities rise commensurate with the mercury. You learn to run in the shade of buildings, trees, whatever you can find along the course. You find respite in jamming ice under your hat, down your back and inside your sports bra. You delight in a soaking wet wristband or sponge. A simple orange wedge becomes an epicurean delight.
- Gratitude. You see that humanity is basically good. Perhaps this is a by-product of a soft-boiled brain, but under extreme conditions, with horrible things happening to people all around, you become hyper aware and uber grateful for everyone– fans and fellow runners alike. The ones who encourage you, cheer, drag out garden hoses, dish out freeze pops, vaseline, etc. All for your sustenance and comfort. You are compelled to return the favor and help those in need as well.
- Perseverance. Despite feeling ungodly awful you find qualities deep down within yourself that compel you to dig in and soldier on. Stubbornness? Stupidity?? Determination? In Chicago they turned off the time clocks and I wasn’t sure the finish line would even be open when I got there. But I didn’t come that far in my training and in that race to board a cooling bus.
- Resilience. Although I vowed I’d never run another marathon after that first brutal experience, within days the desire for a rematch smoldered inside of me and I was back shopping Marathon Guide for a redemption race. I suspect many if not all of yesterday’s Boston runners are in that same boat, or will be soon.
- Confidence. Your redemption race will feel like gumdrops and rainbows because chances are slim it will be the inferno you just experienced. When the going gets tough you’ll think back to Boston 2012, think back to the way you handled yourself and draw confidence from it.
- Respect. You gain new found respect for your body and what it brought you through both in training and on race day. You’ll also realize that despite some, ok maybe lots of whining and maybe some self-doubt, that mentally you ponied up as well. Mental toughness will take you far.
- Character Building. If it didn’t kill you, it made you stronger. Plus your badass quotient just went up exponentially. Think of the stories you have to tell your grandchildren someday!
What was your toughest race?
Congratulations Boston Runners!
Love this post. I am still hating the idea of running an incredibly hot marathon but all your points are exactly how I feel. I am so proud of my mind and body that it overcame something I never thought it could. I am sad that I lost my “dream” Boston Marathon but am so thankful that it was one I will never forget.
VERY well said! I don’t do heat well – it just slaughters me!
Well said! I struggle in heat, but i force myself to train in it when its hot. Because there is always a chance that race day will be 90 degrees. The best runner is the runner who is prepared for anything and everything!
I completely agree with finding out how you’re capable of more than you realize. Those Boston runners were hard core!
Chicago 2010 was an effing death march. Like you – my first marathon. And like you, I KNEW I could do better (hence my next was an hour and 6 minutes better).
A woman from our running club posted on fb shortly after “I have a new found respect for 5 and 6 hour marathoners” – there’s that too.
We are always capable of more than we think 🙂
I love this! I ran a very hot and HUMID half on sunday, recap is up today! It was miserable, humbling, and disappointing all at the same time!
TOTALLY! A battle of the mind and power! agree agree!
Marcia, this post is spot on. I’m a survivor of yesterday’s Boston Marathon and it made me realize just how capable I am and what potential I have as a runner.
Such a positive outlook, and lots of good points.
None of my running races (that I can remember) have been under really awful conditions, but I was on a 2-person team for a 6 hour mountain bike race last summer. The weather wasn’t bad at all, but getting back on my bike after a nasty fall was tough, and going out for one last lap was really hard to do.
Great list. My toughest race was Big Sur and yes, it is one of my favorite races. The climbs were tough and beautiful. Best of both worlds I guess. I started cramping early and it made the run really difficult. But I fought through it and ran the spectrum of your list above. It does make us stronger.
What a great post, Marcia. I agree whole heartedly. Everyone in my group said today that as hard as it was, and as bad as our times were, in some ways it was our favorite marathon. I know how deep I can dig now and I’m happy to have that knowledge!
I don’t know if I would not run the race, but I would not have been acclimated to the weather and would have been pretty miserable. It is always safer to not run it and not get sick or injured. And you get to look forward to it next year. Yay!
Chicago 2010 was my first marathon (and only so far). Not as bad as 2007 at all, but still pretty extreme at 84+ degrees. I struggled so hard, thought I’d never do another. But I’m working on my rematch right now and training for Seattle RnR. Love this post on how dealing with the high temps helped you!
Congrats on finishing Chicago ’07! I’ve never ran a hot marathon before but I can only imagine how tough it would be. My first marathon, NYCM ’10, was pretty rough because I was injured and under-prepared. Thankfully, it was not hot!
Yes – well said. My first marathon was in the pouring rain. After watching the rockstars who ran Boston yesterday, I have to say I would much rather run 26.2 in the pouring rain again than those temps!
What a great way to look at things. My toughest race was the San Diego RNR in 2004. I ran it with TNT and it was my first race EVER. Way to start out with a bang right? My itband injury made it so I could barely bend my knees for the last 5 miles or so, but I finished and was so happy to be done.
i totally love this post because I have always said that the imperfect run or the bad race simply teach us so many amazing things.. i’m now trying to remember that in other areas of life 🙂
Wow! *That* Chicago was your first race? Awesome that you finished it, Marcia! That really shows some mental toughness. Love all your points! Hope some of the Boston runners will take something from your post.
Great post. It’s put down in words all the things I was thinking while reading about Boston.
I hear you on the costume thing – so frustrating when someone else wants to have a say. Good luck with all your diplomatic skills.
“death march”! best description! While my 2nd mary was no Chicago (omigosh, that was ridiculous) I wanted to tear a muscle rather than finish…but I stuck through it.
Great post. We learn so much through adversity!
Love this post – great way to look at it!
I am SO glad I can live through your blog! I have not had to experience a sweatfest like Boston 2012 yet. Hope I never have to. Even when it was only 60F there, I wanted all the otter pops I could get.
So true! Although I can’t speak from personal experience, and honestly, hope I never have to… but you’re right that there is so much you can gain from an experience that tests your limits. I especially love the gratitude line- I love that those moments cause everyone to watch out for each other.
I agree, it does give you some character and some bragging rights, but you have to be cautious!
I used to run in New Orleans, in the summer, with 487% humidity. Every race was HORRIBLE. 2 miles was like a marathon!
I am so glad you posted this. These were my very thoughts. So wonderfully put into words 🙂
Great post! Overcoming adversity like that helps you realize how tough you really are, both physically and mentally.
You are such a studly runner! 🙂
My first marathon in 1997 had no heat, but it was raining and let’s remember that back then, wicking fabrics were pretty much non-existent. My cotton long sleeved t-shirt weighted about 40 lbs. I didn’t NOT enjoy the race, I did, but it just took a couple years for me to get my brain wrapped around doing another.
Love it! Man up. We run/race in grossly hot weather all the time in the south, but it is nice to be acclimated before you jump in. Still, hearing everyone complain about running in the upper 80s makes me feel better about my summer training runs. If the pros are 20 minutes slower, I don’t feel as bad about my slowness.
Very good post with wise thoughts.
My toughest race? The first after the surgery even if it was only a 5km race.
Great post!! My hottest race– the 50k I attempted last month. I collapsed in the heat and got to ride in an ambulance!
Great post and totally agree. I’d add…be SMART in there as well. I know a friend of mine did not finish and ended up in hospital. I know she hydrated but I don’t think she took into account she’d be out there wayyyy longer than she has ever had to be as she is a fast runner.
Pittsburgh marathon was my toughest. Barfing @ 25km isn’t fun…
You’re so right on all of those points! I think running in the heat is the hardest, by far. You can get yourself conditioned and acclimated to a point, but I don’t think I’d ever run a marathon in those kind of temps voluntarily!
Agree with you 100%!
I haven’t done a marathon yet, but my toughest race was a half marathon in 75-80 degree weather with sun beating down on us the entire time. I probably felt the same way many of the marathoners felt on Monday. I got my redemption race 2 weeks later though!
What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger-totally agree. Congrats to those who ran Monday!
Wow! That is such a wonderful way to put all the lessons together. Very well said.
Oh!! This post is dead on. You have to respect the weather as a runner – I have actually enjoyed all the articles about running in various weather that came out because of Boston. Eye openers!!
I had that book that the unicorn pic is from as a child – there are dragons in it that eat them….I have no idea what it’s called but the main character one has a star on it’s forehead or something. random
the most difficult race I’ve run was the relay – injured and hot but I made it through.
What a wonderful attitude to have about hot marathons! I love the list of rewards.