Zaka Bowl

Back to the Front

It was the last 10 miler and Chris knew that the series would be decided here. Chris had edged out his main competitor for the series title in each of the last three race distances by the slimmest of margins. His lead in the series amounted to only a minute or two, and his training was suffering due to an unusually heavy school schedule. The junior year of college is a tough time for many students, and Chris was no exception. He was nervous. He felt undertrained and knew a repeat of the course record setting performance at last year’s ten-mile race was unlikely. Back then he had come home to Memphis several weekends prior to the race in order to put in some hard training on those famous switchbacks. This year that kind of “on course” training was totally impossible.

He found himself lined up at the familiar start line in Shelby Forest nervously pacing back and forth trying to find that magic spot in his head that would drive away all his doubts. Focus is key to a great performance, and doubts left unsubdued tend to eat away at a runner’s confidence as the miles mount.

The race started and Chris was surprised not to see his competitor sitting on his shoulder. Was he hanging back, biding his time, hoping for Chris to collapse? Was he just having a bad start? Could he pull things together and rally later in the race?

The uncertainty was a little unnerving, but Chris had to push all that out of his head and focus on the task at hand. He was definitely slower than last year, but that was to be expected. He still had to put as much distance as possible between himself and whoever was behind him. The miles rolled by.

At long last Chris approached the finish line and he took a quick look back. He was all alone, and knew his victory was secured. He also knew the series title was most likely his as well. He was minutes ahead in this race, and those minutes would be added to his previous lead times to give him a cushion going into the half marathon that was nearly unbeatable.

Chris let himself smile for just a second before his attention turned to a more pressing issue. There are certain advantages to finishing first, chief among them at that moment was that the porta-potties were available for use.

Back to the Middle

Conditions were as good as they could be for a half marathon. The temperatures were comfortable, the winds gentle and the course familiar. I had no excuses. The time was ripe for definitive action. I decided to go after that elusive sub-two-hour mark.

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