project262.com | Marathon Training for Patrick O'Brien

August 16, 2005, 6:30pm: The Victory Lap

GOAL: 3 miles RESULTS:
3 miles

LOCATION: Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri

CONDITIONS: 81°, sunny

SUMMARY: TIME: 31:18
PACE: 10:26/mile

HEART: N/A

TOTAL TRAINING MILES TO DATE (walking & running): 503 miles

Leaving Work to Run for the Last Time
On my way out of the office to make my final run, I ran into Steve Mills, the Local Sales Manager at the station. I talked with him about my marathon. It was so cool to tell him all about it, now that it was my last day. As I was telling him about my training and about the trip, I realized just how big of an accomplishment it is to do what I've done. And here I was with a confident smile, telling him about my experience. He wished me the best on the trip, and I hit the trail as if it was my victory lap.

The Victory Lap
Once I got out to the park, there was something in the air that made me feel strong. I was draggin' all day today, but when I hit that track for the final time, it was a complete turnaround. I started to think about the past 4 1/2 months of training, thinking that this final day of training was so soooooo far away. And here I am...500 miles later...on my second pair of shoes...20 pounds lighter...heart stronger...lungs stronger...mind stronger. I've made it.

The Run
It was a relaxing run. I didn't feel like wearing my heart monitor or GPS device and I kept my cotton shirt on from work instead of my usual runner's shirt. My legs felt great, and the infection I've been dealing with over the past few days seems to be going away with each passing day. The weather was perfect and with all the rain from the past couple days, the air was refreshing.

THOUGHTS: The training is over. Just relax, eat right and don't do anything out of the norm. The only stress I should have right now is figuring out what to pack!

WHAT I'LL
REMEMBER MOST: Reminiscing about the past 4 1/2 months of training, and all ups and downs I went through each time I went around Forest Park. I'll miss the running, but something tells me I'll be back.

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