A few posts ago, I talked about how things inexplicably fell apart every time I ran in the Garden of the Gods 10 Miler. When I was diagnosed with bronchitis a week before the race, several friends asked if I was still planning to run. My attitude was this: “I might run, I might walk, but I will finish. At least this year, the falling apart will have an explanation.”

I took almost the whole week off running, and when I showed up on race day, the most inexplicable thing of all happened: I didn’t totally choke.  It’s true that my finish time was slower than some of my training runs on the course, but it was still a race PR by over four minutes.

So, what happened?  I can’t know for sure, but here are some of the things I did differently than I had in the past:

I didn’t psych myself up for an important race. I slept only about 6 hours before the race, but it was sound, anxiety-free sleep. I showed up with curiosity instead of determination. I didn’t even wear my race flats.

While I was on the course, I was truly aware that the race was not about my fellow competitors. During the run, I knew that each step I took was about me, and my personal best that day. This liberated me to give 100% to every section, with full knowledge that my 100% looked different than anyone else’s.

On a related note, I gave myself full permission to be exactly where I was. When I was winded and exhausted, I slowed down. When I could push, I did. On the most grueling stretches, I gave myself permission to walk if I needed to, but because I was totally aware of what I needed, I never did.

I took water at 75% of the stops. In most races, even half-marathons, I usually do not slow for water, fearing I’ll choke or it’ll create extra mucous. But yesterday, I took water and ran slowly enough to place my trash in the receptacles provided.

Those were the things that I did differently. But some other things happened that contributed to a great day as well:

The weather was incredible. It was the coolest Garden I’ve ever run, and possibly the most beautiful.

The race organization was superlative. It seemed everything had been thought of and taken care of in advance to ensure a smooth run for all participants.

I saw many friends before the race and on the course. My father and stepmom came out to cheer me on. At one point, I knew I would see them within a quarter mile, and I still choked up when I did. And of course, I had the added benefit of having teammates on the course. 

It was not the fastest race of my life, but it was the best day I could have possibly hoped for.  And I couldn’t be more grateful, because none of the things that made it spectacular happened in isolation. The people I love and admire made every step possible and made me appreciate each one.