Amy Lu's View

Two years ago today I ran my first marathon, the Twin Cities Marathon.

I probably wouldn’t have realized that today is my inaugural marathon anniversary without the miracle of Facebook to alert me.

I don’t remember that much about the actual marathon, although I’m sure if I dedicated some time for reflection and blog reading more would come back to me. Mostly I remember the hours…and hours…and hours of training (and all the unflattering selfies of me all sweaty and redfaced).

But I do have lots of thoughts and feels to commemorate this anniversary:

• Disbelief: Sometimes I’m still shocked that I’ve run marathons (3 to be exact).
• Pride: Hell yeah, I’m badass.
• Regret: I’m NOT running the TC Marathon this year.
• Relief: I’m NOT running the TC Marathon this year.
• Inspiration/Strength/Confidence: I was able to do this! No matter what, I learned I can do far more than I think is possible.
• Self doubt/Weakness/Inferiority/Fear of Failure: I did something amazing then, but could I do it now?
• Gratitude: Despite this cocktail of contradictory feelings, gratitude overshadows them all. I’m so thankful that my life circumstances and health and the support of Chad and friends made it possible for me to do this. I’m also so thankful for the support and inspiration of my community of runners, most notably my First-Time TC Marathoners Class of 2017 Facebook group.

Of course the burning question on everyone’s minds is what does the future hold for Amy’s running career? As I’ve already said (admitted) I am NOT running the TC Marathon, or any marathon, this year. I am running the TC 10 Mile on Marathon Day and the 5K and 10K the day before (loving known as the “Loony Challenge.” But don’t be too impressed, last year I did the “Ultra Loony Challenge”–5K, 10K and Marathon in one weekend). These will be the first races I’ve run all year. Then Chad and I will be heading to Louisville in two weeks to run the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon (we ran this three years ago and all the bourbon we will want to drink is more daunting than the race).

Top questions about Amy’s running future:

• Why no marathon this year? Mostly because training takes SO MUCH TIME. I’m actually relieved I decided to “take this year off” as my job has turned out to be much more demanding.
• Will you run another marathon? Seriously considering it. I like the idea of running a marathon the year I turn 50 (next year) and also the idea of running a total of 5 marathons (at least).
• Will you keep running? Are you still a runner? HELL YES! I started running almost 20 years before I ran a marathon, I just wasn’t running with the same intensity. I plan to keep running at some level and frequency as long as I possibly can.
• Have you peaked as a runner? Quite possibly, at least as far as speed is concerned. Frankly, my training this year has sucked. I don’t know if it’s age, or weird injuries, or lack of motivation, or too many chips or too much alcohol, but I have slowed down. I’m nervous about how this weekend’s races are going to go, and how bummed I’m going to be when I don’t live up to past glories. But perhaps the biggest challenge now is to have the mental and emotional perserverance to keep going. See above: I WILL STILL BE A RUNNER.

In the not-too-distant past I came across a sticker at a race expo that read “There will come a day when I cannot do this. Today is not that day.” I immediately teared up. I may not do it as well as I used to (and this goes not only for running but perhaps also drumming, blogging, drinking, etc.) but I WILL keep doing it–and enjoying it and appreciaiting it–for as long as I can.

*The traditional gift for the second anniversary is cotton, and “Cotton to” is an idiom that means you understand something. I cotton to running, drumming, drinking red wine and bourbon, etc….Totally made up the “polyester” bit