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Maybe just A mile?
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 2013-10-22 5:50 PM |
 Seattle |  Subject: Maybe just A mile?Yesterday, Meb had an excellent FB post. He said this: Today (October 21, 2013), my family is celebrating our 26th anniversary in the USA. I am kind-of obsessed with numbers, so here are 26 of the most memorable miles I have raced in my running career.
Now, it might get a little cray if we all write 26 of our favorite miles, but how about we just write one. What was your most memorable mile and why? Edited by Asalzwed 2013-10-22 5:51 PM |
| 2013-10-22 6:09 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Regular  866   Central Coast, CA | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Mile 13 in my first half-marathon (just a few weeks ago!): Realizing every step I ran was a step further than I had ever ran. While not much in comparison to the 26 listed above, it was a personal accomplishment from someone who only started running less than 2 years ago. |
| 2013-10-22 6:13 PM in reply to: MOlsen |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? I guess it's not that important to me to pay attention to things like that. It's just running. And if I had a list, it would be going back and making something relevant out of something I didn't think was relevant at the time. Mostly because I'm not a "runner". I'm someone who runs, if that makes sense. Never raced it or anything like that. BUT, looking back, maybe the last mile of my first IM? Upcoming? Maybe if I have kids, the first mile I run with them? |
| 2013-10-22 6:15 PM in reply to: MOlsen |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? The first time I watched my son run a mile.....he ran a 5:18 at his 8th grade middle school track meet.....I had to stand behind the bleachers and watch so nobody could see my eyes. |
| 2013-10-22 7:10 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Expert 3145  Scottsdale, AZ | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? The last mile of my very first marathon, Rock n Roll AZ 2011. It was my second ever "official race" (I ran a half two months prior) and I was coaxed and encouraged across the line by my cousin who might as well be my brother. I had always looked up to him and his running prowess as he was a track and xc stud through school and I just a lowly soccer player. Running that marathon with him was amazing but that last mile, when I knew I was going to make it and he turned to me and said, "Let's put a kick in it and get to the line in style" was the most amazing.
Guess who owns a faster marathon now? |
| 2013-10-22 7:13 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Memorable in a few different ways-- The last mile of my first marathon. I was fourteen, clueless, and undertrained. I was also winning it, and about to break three hours, if only I could actually run. As I recall, that mile lasted at least an hour; it couldn't have, though, in reality! I was being escorted by a guy on a bike, and the approach to the finish line was marked with orange cones. I was really struggling and I remember him saying, just run to the next cone, then the next, and so on. Then when you turn the corner it will only be 200m to the finish. I swear those cones went on for miles. Then, at the corner, he asked me what my favorite song was. I told him "Chariots of Fire" and shortly after, a band began to play it. I may have been dying, splattered against the wall, from 23 miles until that point, but I floated those last 200m. 2:59:52. Winning the state championship in the two mile my last year in high school. I was leading from the second lap until about 50m from the end, when the girl in second (an 800m specialist with a big kick) caught up with me. It was probably the one and only time in my life I've outkicked someone who wasn't clinically dead--I held her off and won by 0.32 seconds. Closest I've ever come to heart failure in a race. Probably for my parents and coach too. Last 1/2 mile of NCAA XC Nationals in college. I was somewhere MOP, running fifth for our team (last scoring member). Our coach yells, "If you catch red, we'll win." It was an uphill finish, to my advantage. I ran my brains out and caught red. We won. Later I found out that the team we actually needed to beat was in green--I'd passed her en route to passing red. My brief moment of collegiate glory. Can't say I won it for my team, but I didn't lose it, which was what mattered at that point. The last mile of the Olympic Trials. I wasn't winning it, of course, though I was the youngest at 18. It was hot and hilly and I'd had a tough race. I'd struggled with cramping, probably as I hadn't hydrated enough in the middle 10 miles. But the last 10km was fairly flat, and I started to feel really good. Everyone else seemed to be feeling worse and worse. I was well off pace for a PB but I just started going for it. I had to run some ridiculous time for the last few miles to PB, but I actually did it. My last mile was something like 5:30. (I was probably in shape to run a much faster overall time but hadn't executed it right and had too much left.) Finished in 2:43:53, a PB by 18 seconds. Probably no one else at the line had any idea why I was so excited about being 45th. I was literally doing a dance in the last few meters before the finish line. I've had lots of other memorable runs and races but it would be hard to pick out the most notable mile of them--those come to mind! |
| 2013-10-22 8:43 PM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Master 1457 MidWest | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? I don't know that I can pick just one! Mile 13 in 2011 at Heights Half--it was my first half and Mike was there to see it! Miles 1-13.1 in 2012 at Indy Mini--memories of my grandpa and I throughout the city Mile 10 at McNotAgain---That was one tough SOB!
Every mile that I have raced has so many memories attached to them. My first trail race. My first group run with ladies that are now my best friends. My midnight trail runs! I have learned so much about myself the last 2 years! This has been an incredible journey and I can't wait to see where it leads me! |
| 2013-10-22 10:24 PM in reply to: BAMBAM66 |
Master 4452 | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? First of all, a 13:11 5km (#13)? Holy shyte. Ok, I have 3. Mine may or may not be in km The last mile of my one and only marathon. I had been good up to km 35, then started to fade. I did a fair bit of run/walk in the next 6km, but I ran the entire last km. Missed my goal time by 44 seconds. The last mile of my first HIM. It was hot, hotter than I am used to. I had not 'hammered' the bike; I had stuck to my game plan, but it was just a bit too aggressive. I got through that last mile by running to the next tree, then to the next pile of sponges, then... And probably my most memorable was the last mile of a 10km I ran with my 9 year old nephew last year. I was with him and my SIL--she had run the entire thing, 2km longer than she had ever run. They had trained together and I was so proud of both of them. My nephew wanted to haul azz the last bit of the race. My SIL had already informed me that it was up to me to keep up with him... I kept him in sight anyway, but he dropped me with about 300m to go. It was so amazing to watch him go. To top it off, it was a night race and we all wore headlamps. So cool. |
| 2013-10-23 12:16 AM in reply to: #4882504 |
Supersonicus Idioticus 2439 Thunder Bay, ON | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? I was swimming a mile once and my teammate was beside me, stroke for stroke. Of course I wamted to win. So with 300m to go, I sprimted like it was the end. That was such the discouraging blow that, even after I slowed down and swam easy to the finish, I won by 5 seconds. |
| 2013-10-23 4:49 AM in reply to: So Fresh So Clean |
Elite 4435 | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? i remember swimming a mile at school - we had to do 48 laps of the pool - no touching the wall, just swim in a rectangle. It seemed to take forever - only about 3 of us made it to the end. My legs wouldn't work when i got out of the pool. As the 'unsporty' kid of my family i was as proud as i've ever been. |
| 2013-10-23 5:24 AM in reply to: jobaxas |
Master 8247 Eugene, Oregon Bronze member | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Hadn't even thought about swimming a mile! I remember when I swam my best time for the 1650 in HS (no dramatic wins there, I might have scored a point or two for the team but that was about it), I was so exhausted my teammates had to pull me out of the pool. Plus the water was FREEZING. The heat had broken down in the pool building so we were wearing coats until the start. Our coach told me to swim fast and I'd get warm but I never did. I still remember that for some reason I was seeing double for almost an hour after--I think my eye muscles froze or something. The water was colder than some of the wetsuit tri swims I've done since! |
| 2013-10-23 6:13 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
| Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? When I was just out of HS I applied for a job that required running .75 mile in under 10 minutes. I did it in 9:30 and almost passed out. I couldn't drive home for close to an hour. When I joined the Army, the first run was such that I threw up half way. When I graduated from Warrant Officer Basic Course, where we ran 8-10 miles a day, every day, I ran the fastest mile I've ever run in my life 7:50. I hated that run. When I went for my current job we had to run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. I barely made it. I honest to goodness have hated every single step of every single run I've ever done. Those are the only ones I actually remember. I black out about 1/4 mile into every run and come to when I see the finish line. |
| 2013-10-23 6:15 AM in reply to: So Fresh So Clean |
| Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Swimming I remember. SCUBA school. When we showed up, we had to swim 1/2 mile before we even started the class every day. 1 mile regularly. I liked that!  |
| 2013-10-23 8:15 AM in reply to: DanielG |
New user 410 | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? I Love this question because I just got to relive it! Mine is my first mile upon resuming an active lifestyle in this middle age time of life. I was preparing for a half marathon, it was my first ever this last spring. I was planning to walk most of it. I was doing my training building mileage and adding some jogging to the mix. I used a 1/10th mile track at the Y. I would walk/jog with jogging only being one or two laps to equalish parts walking. So I took off in the HM with a surge of excitement and was jogging along. I was going to jog a part of the first mile according to how it went. My race plan was formal and evidence based I know! So what to my eyes did appear but the flipping 1 mile marker and I had jogged non-stop!!!!! I was sure only 5" or so had passed!! Turned out to be more but I didn't care I was so amazed I had just ran a Whole MILE This first mile was really impactfull in that I did something I didn't think I was ready for yet. The confidence was truly valuable. I have now run 13 miles and learned a ton through reading and improving. However that first mile lesson remains one of the most valuable and put a BIG smile on my face this morning. |
| 2013-10-23 8:45 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? How about some biking miles? * Don't remember the year (maybe 1995), but it was the Tour de Malaga (Wenatchee, WA) road race, a big loop that we did twice, basically a big climb, then a descent, then 2 miles back to the climb. I'd ridden away from the pack on the first lap and caught a solo break just before the summit. On the second lap, I dropped two others to solo over the top of the climb. I kept thinking "this is what racing is all about." * Taking a flyer in a crit (Rosalia, WA, maybe 1996) the day after crashing in the road race, with lots of road rash. I had one arm warmer and one leg warmer holding the bandages on... Anyway, I had a team mate in a break with one other rider, and that team was chasing the break down! So when they caught it, every one sat up. I took off, and soloed to the finish (thanks to perfect blocking by my team mates) for the last 8 laps. I had enough of a lead to do a Euro salute into the finish. * 2012 Five Mile Lake Tri -- riding with Lisa. No push to go as fast as I could. Just riding with her. And a running mile: * My now 12-year-old daughter did her only tri (so far -- there's always hope) at the tender age of 5. The bike leg was 3/4 mile, the run 1/4 mile. I jogged along side her while she did the ride, and then watched her take off at a dead sprint once she was off the bike (and I was trying to put her helmet on the bike). I had to really run to catch up to her. I've got a great picture somewhere of her some 50 yards ahead of me... |
| 2013-10-23 8:56 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Master 6834 Englewood, Florida | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Mine would probably be the final mile of the first bike ride I did with the Big Dogs, a local riding group. As the name implies, these guys ain't slow. I hung on for the whole ride and the final mile is down a bridge, off a side road, and finish in a local park. I had been dropped on the bridge, but I fought back through the last mile to catch and pass all but 3 of the guys in the group. The 6 mile ride home from there was not as enjoyable Running would be any mile that involves trails and wildlife sightings. The eagles, owls, hawks and ospreys here always seem so majestic. |
| 2013-10-23 10:09 AM in reply to: Chunga |
Regular 5477 LHOTP | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Originally posted by Chunga I Love this question because I just got to relive it! Mine is my first mile upon resuming an active lifestyle in this middle age time of life. I was preparing for a half marathon, it was my first ever this last spring. I was planning to walk most of it. I was doing my training building mileage and adding some jogging to the mix. I used a 1/10th mile track at the Y. I would walk/jog with jogging only being one or two laps to equalish parts walking. So I took off in the HM with a surge of excitement and was jogging along. I was going to jog a part of the first mile according to how it went. My race plan was formal and evidence based I know! So what to my eyes did appear but the flipping 1 mile marker and I had jogged non-stop!!!!! I was sure only 5" or so had passed!! Turned out to be more but I didn't care I was so amazed I had just ran a Whole MILE This first mile was really impactfull in that I did something I didn't think I was ready for yet. The confidence was truly valuable. I have now run 13 miles and learned a ton through reading and improving. However that first mile lesson remains one of the most valuable and put a BIG smile on my face this morning. So AWESOME Mary! I love it :)
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| 2013-10-23 10:15 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Regular 5477 LHOTP | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Super cool thread and thanks for sharing Meb's list. Woah. I have memorable running moments, but no specific miles that stand out. Lots of moments from my first Boston stand out (start, Wellesley, HH, last 800 on Boylston). The finish from my HIM this summer was pretty awesome--steep downhill and I was feeling great about being done and having a good race. Running with my girls. Winter runs on the snow early in the morning when the trees are covered in ice. The first warm run of spring that has no chill in the air. The days when tempo feels easy. Moments, not miles :)
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| 2013-10-23 10:23 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Champion 10550 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? This is an easy one for me - the last mile of IMAZ last year. Actually, my recollection of the entire mile is quite fuzzy and muddled after being out on the course for 15 hours with little nutrition due to a stomach that just didn't want to hold anything down. My legs had been cramping up for hours, I couldn't run at all anymore, I wasn't going in a straight line, and it was dark and cold out. But I had Tony with me, holding my hand, telling me that we only had a mile to go to the finish. I closed my eyes for a minute and willed my feet to keep moving. Eventually you make a turn and suddenly there are lights everywhere, you hear the roar of the cheering crowd, the announcer's voice telling those finishing before you that they.are.an.Ironman, and at that point I KNEW we were going to finish. Hand in hand we crossed the finish line with the biggest smile I think I've ever had on my face. I spent the next hour and a half in the med tent trying to get calories in, but that was a mere blip in the feeling of accomplishment of that moment of crossing the finish line. Just keep moving forward |
| 2013-10-23 10:32 AM in reply to: Asalzwed |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Mile 5 of my first 10K. I ran the race in honor of my mother who had just passed away and at the time I had never run more than 4 miles. So much was going through my mind when I passed the 4 mile marker. Love you mom, miss you... |
| 2013-10-23 11:28 AM in reply to: mrbbrad |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Originally posted by mrbbrad Mile 5 of my first 10K. I ran the race in honor of my mother who had just passed away and at the time I had never run more than 4 miles. So much was going through my mind when I passed the 4 mile marker. Love you mom, miss you... That's beautiful. |
| 2013-10-23 11:29 AM in reply to: thebigb |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Originally posted by thebigb The last mile of my very first marathon, Rock n Roll AZ 2011. It was my second ever "official race" (I ran a half two months prior) and I was coaxed and encouraged across the line by my cousin who might as well be my brother. I had always looked up to him and his running prowess as he was a track and xc stud through school and I just a lowly soccer player. Running that marathon with him was amazing but that last mile, when I knew I was going to make it and he turned to me and said, "Let's put a kick in it and get to the line in style" was the most amazing.
Guess who owns a faster marathon now? That is soooo cool! Nothing like some sibling rivalry! I need to work on my siblings. However, my sister send me a text saying she dreamed she ran a marathon. I congratulated her. Gotta start somewhere! |
| 2013-10-23 11:30 AM in reply to: DanielG |
| Seattle | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Originally posted by DanielG When I was just out of HS I applied for a job that required running .75 mile in under 10 minutes. I did it in 9:30 and almost passed out. I couldn't drive home for close to an hour. When I joined the Army, the first run was such that I threw up half way. When I graduated from Warrant Officer Basic Course, where we ran 8-10 miles a day, every day, I ran the fastest mile I've ever run in my life 7:50. I hated that run. When I went for my current job we had to run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. I barely made it. I honest to goodness have hated every single step of every single run I've ever done. Those are the only ones I actually remember. I black out about 1/4 mile into every run and come to when I see the finish line. Hey man, consistency is king! |
| 2013-10-23 11:49 AM in reply to: mrbbrad |
Master 2167 Livonia, MI | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Originally posted by mrbbrad Mile 5 of my first 10K. I ran the race in honor of my mother who had just passed away and at the time I had never run more than 4 miles. So much was going through my mind when I passed the 4 mile marker. Love you mom, miss you... Originally posted by Left Brain The first time I watched my son run a mile.....he ran a 5:18 at his 8th grade middle school track meet.....I had to stand behind the bleachers and watch so nobody could see my eyes. I really enjoy seeing the softer side to some of the tough guys around here. Without too much thought, probably the last mile of my first marathon. I remember thinking around mile 22 that I was home free.....until that last mile. The mile itself only took about 8 1/2 minutes but it felt like an hour. |
| 2013-10-23 1:01 PM in reply to: noelle1230 |
Veteran 2842 Austin, Texas | Subject: RE: Maybe just A mile? Dang, I'm not supposed to get misty, what with being a manly man reading a tri site at work (put those together, and it might make my coworkers tear up). Really enjoying this thread! Best mile would be the first "race" all three of my kids did (The Better Half and I ran with them). They all podiumed, and we have a picture of the three of them with ties around their necks ("Dad's day run, the race that always ends in a tie..." See what they did there?) and arms around each other at the finish. Was awesome to see them push like that and then all be together at the end... yep, still chokes me up just a little. I'm with Switch, though, for my "own" miles. More about moments, and I'm crazy lucky enough to have more than I would want to bore you all with (but I'll do that with kids' stories, for sure!). Matt (sotto voce) ...ahem, Salty? |
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