#trackshack

[xcgriff94]

#5k #trackshack #battleofbands #virtual #griffintigerstride (at Lake Weldona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUbxwlD1e1/?igshid=1nb0fcpk7b197

[magicrabbitdesigns]

I did the thing! #trackshack #reindeerrun2019 #seaworldorlando #5krun #notreally #morelike2miler #thanksflorida⛈️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B6DhYWTA6ey/?igshid=gzs1uo84jge5

[dlinesofamerica]

Photos from last month’s UCF 5-mile race. #drumline #drums #DOAlive #universityofcentralflorida #trackshack #ucf5miler #DrumlinesOfAmerica https://www.instagram.com/p/B5m5dlAhDlg/?igshid=13suoacx6wxjd

[iluvwinterpark]

LUV the shirt❕ 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻 Heads up along Park Avenue tomorrow morning for runners❕ 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻 Repost 📷 @luisitol22 : Packet pickup done & less than 24hrs away from the @orlandotrackshack Park Ave 5K!! Looking forward to running with fellow athletes and having fun with no expectations. . . #iluvwinterpark #iluvparkavenue #localluvents #trackshack #running #5K #raceday #packetpickup #runnersofinstagram #runwinterpark #floridahospital #iluvwinterpark #parkave5k #igrunners #igers_orlando (at I LUV Park Avenue)

[andreacaccese]

@iomusicofficial release was awesome - stoked to have been part of such a good lineup of bands! #trackshack #boston (at Boston, Massachusetts)

[teamrundisney]

It's the weekend and time to run! Where will your miles take you this week? #TeamrunDisney #TrDRunningClub #TrackShack • #repost @offrunning ・・・ Great 10k this morning!!! Love @orlandotrackshack • #InstaRunners #RunnersOfInstagram #Runnergram https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXgdEBHpBe/?igshid=1s4z6v05zhvk

[magicrabbitdesigns]

#babydolphin says hi and #christmastrees on the lake #seaworld #trackshack #5krun #reindeerrun https://www.instagram.com/p/BracVwugtJO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lh6iqhxy9o84

[dlinesofamerica]

Sunday funday! Live from the UCF 5-mile 🏃🏻‍♂️🥁 #drumline #drums #trackshack #adventhealth #ucf5mile #DOAlive #DrumlinesOfAmerica https://www.instagram.com/p/B4I3c2DBpSR/?igshid=1lahbmzn7ruj6

[andreacaccese]

@lilletblancmusic practice a few hours earlier - Show at #trackshack in #Boston tonight! (at Berklee College of Music)

[teamrundisney]

Where did your miles bring you this weekend? #TeamrunDisney #TrDRunningClub #TrackShack • #repost @doug_runs_disney ・・・ The first in person finish line of 2021. There’s nothing like running through the streets of Winter Park in perfect weather. 50° at the start couldn’t of been any better! Always love running with @schumacher_caroline and bonus to run into @uxwes #runOrlando #runDMC #winterpark #parkave5k https://www.instagram.com/p/CKMr5oHHcfC/?igshid=1riy9nchajvvo

[xcgriff94]

#NRC #Mycoach Recovery Run 4.75 mi #griffintigerstride #trackshack #headsweats #jabraelitesport #goodrsunglasses #applewatch #nikecoach #tracksmith #swiftwick #newtonrunning

[magicrabbitdesigns]

#finished #5krun #reindeerrun #seaworld #trackshack #orlandorun https://www.instagram.com/p/BraMd5NgxOj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=111mttmny5quf

[dlinesofamerica]

DOA went live last month at the OUC Half Marathon hosted by @orlandotrackshack 🏃🏻‍♂️🥁🇺🇸 #marathon #trackshack #drumline #DOAlive #DrumlinesOfAmerica https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRvOEfneCS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jghcbztk77yt

[beautyandwanderlust]

My First Marathon - Space Coast 11/30/2014

...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1

I started training for my marathon in June.  Twice a week, I would wake up at 4:15am, throw on my running clothes and drive out to Glenridge Middle School for either a track workout or a run through the surrounding neighborhoods with my group.  The first few weeks went smoothly.  I adjusted to waking up so early.

Saturdays became something I really looked forward to.  Long runs with my group.  The conversations that we would have over those long runs became a type of therapy for me.  Some mornings I would have to drag myself out of bed… but I never once regretted my decision to get out there.  I learned a lot about myself and got to know a great group of runners.  Some of them I'm sure will be lifelong friends.

I got sick… in August, in September, and again in October.  The flu, sinus infections, and head colds.  In October, I thought I had meningitis (it was strep throat) and ended up at the ER one terrible evening.  I missed some morning runs… I healed, picked myself back up and got back on schedule.

I switched jobs.  In September and then again in October.  I was tired, depressed, stressed, but determined.  I kept running.

Over Labor Day weekend, I was reaching to grab something on a top shelf in my bathroom and I heard a tearing sound.  I realized it was coming from my right foot.  A few days later, I was told I had severe plantar fasciatis.  I only ran once during the whole month of September.  I went to five weeks of physical therapy, had cortisone injections, and had to do home exercises.  I healed.  I kept running.

On October 26, I ran the Lake Nona Half.  Towards the end my right pinky toe was in excruciating pain.  I finished (almost PR-ed!) and the next few days I could barely put any weight on my right little toe.  The diagnosis:  Bursitis.  I had to have my foot drained.  It was about as painful as it sounds.  I spent the next week with a bruised and very swollen foot.  It healed, I kept running.   

I got stronger.  My clothes got baggy.  I had to buy all new pants.

In June, I went through a breakup.  Cried.  Dragged my depressed self out of bed and I kept running.

In July, I met a boy.  I was happy.  I ran and daydreamed.  I looked forward to coming home after my run to make breakfast for us.  I smiled more.

At the end of October, I got my heart broken.  I cried, brushed myself off, got my butt out of bed and I kept running.  

I lost weight.  My body became hard in places it used to be soft.  My legs became strong.  I realized I could run for hours and not get winded.  I got abs.  

I thought about switching to the half-marathon, instead of the full.  I'd had so many setbacks… I just didn't know how I could do the full.

Finally, November 30, 2014 arrived.  I had decided that I would try and complete the full marathon.  I told myself that if I felt bad at the halfway point… I would stop.  I spent the night before at home relaxing and getting my race gear together.  I woke up at 3:15am, hopped in my car and drove out to the coast.  On the ride out there, I felt grateful that I'd been able to dedicate myself to something this difficult - and knew that I was about to face one of the hardest challenges of my life.

So now to the fun stuff… running a marathon is brutal.  All those months of training prepare you physically, but in the end it is 75% mental.  Your body starts to hurt in places you didn't even know existed.  All of your aches and injuries that you've accumulated while training decide to come back for a visit.  You get tired, deleriously tired, and start to doubt your ability to finish.  You tell yourself little lies, "It's only a 10K!" "I'm a THIRD OF THE WAY DONE - no problem!" "My knee doesn't hurt.  It's all in my head."

Then you make observations while you run.  Your mind wanders… you think about EVERYTHING.  You're able to see certain things clearer and certain things make you emotional.  Here's my observations:

Mile 1:  YASSSSSS… I'm running a marathon!  This is crazy.  Two years ago I couldn't even run a half a mile.

Mile 3:  Is that a dolphin out there in the river?  OHMYGOD it IS.  How precious?  WOW, what a sunrise.  God, it's beautiful.  I am so lucky!

Mile 6:  DAAANG… those people are already on their way back… they're on Mile 13 and my sorry butt is still at 6.  First 10K complete!  LET'S DO THIS.

Mile 8:  Time for a GU!  Man, I really like the flavor of those Salted Caramel ones.  I feel good still.  No plantar pain, knee feels solid, weather is nice.  I'm almost a 3rd of the way done!

Mile 10:  I have to pee… and why am I suddenly getting a cramp in my right calf muscle?  That's never happened.  Shit.  Where's the icy hot at the aid station?

HALF-MARATHON:  I DID IT!  Made it to the halfway point.  This isn't so bad.  I still feel good… I'm definitely going to be able to finish this.  Still no icy hot at the aid stations...

Mile 15:  It's hot and I am starting to get hungry and crave GU energy gels.  My butt hurts.  Dang, that dude already in Mile 20 is puking in the grass.  YESSSS ICY HOT FINALLY.

Mile 17-19:  Things are starting to get weird.  Now I'm running alone because some of the my friends passed me up and others fell back.  Too much time alone with my thoughts.  

Mile 20:  ONLY 10K LEFT!  I'm gonna run with that Galloway group in front of me.  They're doing two minute run, one minute walk - I can do that for 10K.  I'm at 20 miles!!!  There's no way I'm not finishing.  WOW, I'm gonna be a marathoner.

Mile 21:  SO MANY DUDES RUNNING BY WITH BLEEDING NIPPLES.  Why didn't they use Body Glide or bandaid them thangs?  Ew.  Also, I'm tired.  I may have to walk the rest.

Mile 22:  Another person puking.  My KNEE IS KILLING ME.  Gonna stick with the Galloway group for a few more miles.  DANG, that lady is laying in the grass yelling about her legs "not working."

Mile 24:  The bouncing motion of my boobs is making me want to scream.  Why do they hurt so bad?  i have to walk.

Mile 24-25:  PLEASE END MY MISERY.  

Mile 25-26:  I am gonna run it in.  C'mon knee, don't fail me now.  I cannot finish this race walking.

Mile 26:  YAY!  Track Shack people at the finish cheering me on.  I'm getting choked up… I can't believe I did this.

FINISH LINE:  SO MUCH CRYING.  I CAN'T BELIEVE I MADE IT.  Nothing, nothing, NOTHING will ever stop me from accomplishing something that I am determined to do.