Success and failure, two simple words to sum up my Bataan March experience. Success because I finished. Failure because running 15 miles was out of the question as soon as I walked out the front door.
The day appeared to be rather perfect. No freezing or scorching temperatures. No rain in the forecast. When I stepped outside I felt a slight breeze but didn’t think it was a cause for concern so I continued loading up the car for the 40-minute drive. When I went to open the gate I finally felt it, the gust. The gust that had been blowing all week (all month) hadn’t disappeared. I don’t know what causes windy and gusty conditions, The Weather Channel has explained it to be many times I just forget, but I do know that running on a windy day is awful and today would be no different.
The first 7 miles were a success. I ran with ease keeping an easy pace, running with the wind, but after a left turn at mile 7 I had to stop running. I was exerting twice as much energy running against the wind and I wasn’t a third of the way finished. So I walked, and I walked and I walked some more and eventually I finished.
It was still a good experience and a good cause, but last year was better. Maybe because it was my first one and I had no idea what to expect or maybe because the cold temperature left me no choice but to run, but this year’s race did not meet my expectations. I don’t know if I’ll participate next year. There’s a half marathon held at the end of March at my alma mater I would like to run next year and two big races in the same month wouldn’t be a good plan.
For now I shall not sulk in my disappointment. I shall continue to enjoy my east coast vacation (hence why this blog is a week late) and start back at square one when I get back.
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