Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Something True

I like to invite friends to my races, but I usually invite them in a totally ironic way. Look, I know spectating isn't really fun for most people, so I don't actually expect people to come watch. I especially don't expect people to come wait for my to run a race that will take 5 hours!

Once I invite people, if they agree to come cheer, I usually try to dissuade them after the fact.

So one of the things I'm most nervous for this weekend has very little to do with the race...it has to do with my buddies! I can't help feeling like it's selfish to ask people to hang out on the course to cheer me on...and I hate to think of people waiting at the finish line for me! I'm nervous to let people down by taking "too long"!

I am overjoyed that Megan and Kristina will both be running the half, and I can't wait to see them, but I already feel really guilty about cramping their style because I'll still be running hours after they finish!

Kristin is tentatively planning to come spectate, and I've tried to talk her out of it because she drove all the way to Space Coast last year with her daughter and I feel like that's more than enough, but she seems to want to come!
Kristin and Claire drove hours to come see me race, stayed the entire time, and even ran with me a little bit around mile 21!
My sister is driving up from Boca to spectate, too! She was supposed to work but traded the day to someone else so she could be there.

And there are a couple other maybes from friends who are going to come if they can.

I feel totally humbled by all this support. I have never been someone who toots my own horn or asks for recognition, especially for something I'm barely mediocre at. In a way, I don't feel deserving of these kinds of friends or this kind of friendship.

I am just so incredibly lucky. I hope I can make them proud!

Do you invite friends to spectate your races?
Do you ever feel this way?

ABK

10 comments:

  1. I can only speak for myself, but you should not feel guilty at all. The next best thing to running a race is spectating it. I'm very excited that I'll get to do both on the same day. I'll text you as it gets closer to the weekend. I'm driving up Saturday so maybe we can meet up at the expo depending on what time you're planning to go!

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    1. Megan's flight gets in at noon and we'll be at the expo right after that, so close to 1. I hope we can see you there!! I'm hoping you guys will be willing to camp out around mile 2 because then I'd get to see you at 11, 15, and 22! :o)

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  2. I also feel weird about asking people to come spectate! In fact, I have definitely asked people not to for some shorter races. I just fear that they probably have things they'd rather do on a weekend morning than wake up super early and stand on the side of the road. I do try to get people to meet me for brunch or lunch afterwards though.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one!! Especially for a 5k...is it worth watching 30 minutes of a race...or is that better because they're not standing around for hours? I don't know which is worse!

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  3. I am extremely excited to cheer for you! You are not cramping anyone's style. We are runners, and we support each other. I am honored that I get to be part of YOUR awesome day. :) You deserve it all, Ali.

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  4. I don't think that's selfish at all! You train so hard and to see the final result is an amazing thing to have family and friends witness! My family never truly understood what running was about for me until they watched me race a local ten miler in Newfoundland. It was really emotional for me and I could see just how proud they were.

    I am totally jealous of the ultimate blogger meet up you girls will have. ;) Kick butt blogger pals!

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    1. The first time my parents watched a race was a half marathon of mine, and I do think it really changed their perspective. I definitely got emotional!!

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  5. I believe they would tell you that you make them proud everyday just by getting out there and training....and I bet to heck they are stocked to be there for you! Go get'em girl!

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    1. I just keep telling myself they wouldn't come if they didn't want to be there! haha

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