On Saturday, the training goals called for a 2500 yard swim followed by a six-mile run. As soon as I got to the YMCA, I realized those goals were going to be missed.
As part of a presentation to 7th graders at a local youth organization, most of my triathlon gear was in a bag. At home. Included in that pile of equipment was my swim goggles. The idea of swimming 2500 yards without goggles was unappealing. Thankfully, I could fall back on the run.
The quickly revised plans called for an indoor duathlon if there was a spin class. I would run until the class started, spin for 60-90 minutes, then finish with another run. An hour later, I was about eight miles into the run, and forced to acknowledge there would be no spin class. So, I kept running.
I figured a 10-miler would be a suitable replacement for 2500 yards plus six miles. When I got to 10 miles, I decided to keep going, as it was barely 7:30, and I had plenty of time. So, I decided to complete the 13.1 miles of a half-marathon. Based on the stated track distances, it was actually just over 13.18 miles. I may have even set a half-marathon PR.
So here's where perspective comes into play. Some people will read about running a half-marathon on a whim and cringe at the thought. For a new runner, the idea of running that distance requires considerable training. Others will shrug their shoulders. "Been there, done that." And some can honestly look at it and grin. "Hah! A mere 13 miles? I ran that as a warm-up for the real training."
The cool part is that we all started from the same place. Whether young or old when first starting endurance training, we all have to train to improve. And we all must have the patience required to progress to the next level. Once upon a time, I looked at a half-marathon as the furthest I would ever run. Then I completed a marathon.
As I completed more marathons, I never contemplated going further than 26.2 miles in a single day. Then I started triathlons. Now, I consider the idea of RUNNING 50 miles extreme, but running a half or full marathon on the spur of the moment is doable. Perhaps someday I will complete that 50-mile run.
Then, I'll look at people who run 100 miles as odd. After all, it's all a matter of perspective.
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