The Zen of Ultra Running

Run with Scissors was back in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) again this year. Yay! I ran my first marathon ever at this race in 2016 and the double marathon in 2017. Then, I switched to volunteering at the race because they needed volunteers at the race.  This year they changed the start time for all race distances. The double marathon started at 9am, the marathon started at 3pm, and the half marathon started at 5pm. I did not know that when I signed up for the marathon and T. told me about the new start time.  Leading up to the race, I was really busy with the study abroad program and other stuff. I also tried to make sure that the pain in the right knee was taken care of before it got worse. So, I was not sure if I could /wanted to run the marathon.  The morning before the race we stayed home because I wanted to reserve as much energy as possible for the race and I just knitted all morning.  I showed up at the race about 2:30pm, picked up the packet, talked to friends, etc.

 I love when someone does any race distance for the first time. It's so much fun seeing them accomplish their goal. P. started running during the pandemic before we went to the Galapagos Islands because I told him he had to be physically fit to scuba dive in the Galapagos as it could be pretty dangerous due to the strong current. So, he started running 1-3 miles regularly. Then, after we returned from the trip, he continued to run pretty regularly (except during the winter. He is a fair-weather runner who only runs outside and refuses to go to a gym).  Earlier this year he came home from his Saturday run and he said he ran 10K. I said if he could run a 10K, he could run a half marathon. Then, I started looking at a fall race so that would give him enough time to train (and be mentally prepared LOL). September races were out because I had an Ironman. October is pretty busy as I also have my own races to run and volunteer at. Then, I found the Columbus half marathon in October, which