Thursday, February 17, 2011

Five Minutes

I had what my 7th grade math teacher called a "Tornado Day" yesterday. Just one of those, whatever-could-go-wrong-will, Murphy's Law kinda days. It was already kind of an annoying day where I was slightly frazzled and annoyed. And then I got a text from a good buddy, Running Coach Kara, saying this:

"u need to run 3:35 this year for Boston"

What?!

What the...

I checked my email and she had forwarded us the link to the BAA's announcement yesterday about the new qualification times for 2012. And I totally get why they are doing it. I heard how fast it sold out this year, and I get it.

But this year. IT HAD TO BE THIS YEAR, DIDN'T IT?

$%&$%^^&@(&^#!)^%@@!

So then I was PISSED. Like really really pissed. I drove home with what I'm sure was a ridiculous scowl on my face.

FREAKINGFIVEMINUTES

To which my husband replied, "It's just five minutes."

Spoken like a guy who's never ran a marathon before, right?

So I thought long and hard about it. I slept on it. I lack of slept on it. I got up around 3:58 to pee and couldn't fall back asleep because I was thinking about it. And I realized something.

When on earth have I ever been afraid of five minutes?

I had a long conversation with myself.

And I made a decision.

I refuse to fear five minutes.

And I later confirmed that these five minutes won't affect me in May--all it really does is ensure that 3:40 will be my time until I'm 40. Not until next year, or even this fall, like originally thought.

3:40 it is.

3:40, I'm out for you.

I don't need no stinkin' five minutes. In fact, I would like to state something for the record. In the words of one of the greatest fake Indians players ever, "I say, eff you, five minutes. I DO IT MYSELF."

5 comments:

Dave said...

Just to be safe, you might want to sacrifice a live chicken the night before. :)

Anonymous said...

:-)

Mischievous Meg said...

Maybe they shaved off those 5 minutes because they are fearful Nike will invent some new kick butt shoes, which will heat up the competition even more.

Be on the look out for these shoes. They will be called the "Zeus" line. "Shoes of the Gods."

IronMin said...

Just think...you will be walking around with a ridiculous grin on your face saying, "Yeah, I qualified for Boston. Not just any year..the year they made it HARDER!"

You're tough - your run splits inspire me to push myself to get faster -go get 'em!

tri like mary said...

With that kind of resolve you WILL do it!