Mental will is a muscle that needs exercise, just like the muscles of the body

Back in Denmark! Seems like it was yesterday when I landed in Estonia. Times flies fast when having fun! Anyway, last weekend I found myself standing at the start line, bib number on the front of my shirt. Even though I didnt do any special preparation for it (sauna and barbeque day before), I had full confidence to run a good race. 16km, muddy track, quite cold weather and 770 runners.
When the gun goes off, then everything changes… the world changes… and nothing else really matter! I probably went out too fast due to excitement of the race (rookies mistake) and realized slow down after 1st km in order to avoid running out of gas early in race. The race covered 2x8km and halfway (after the first lap), I saw a women's race leader just behind me. I followed her 2-3km until she created a 5 sec gap. Hard as I tried, I couldnt catch her up ...but I really wanted to chase her down so I didnt let her go. I passed her 500 meters before finish and crossed the line in 1 hour and 35 sec. 27th overall and 10min behind the winner. Great race, great people, well organized! 2 pics: 1)Ready to race 2)post race recovery meal.