It makes me sad when other people seem to place themselves below me when they come and talk to me about running. Running is not only my sport, it is a huge part of my life and who I am. I am passionate about running. I love to talk about running with anyone interested because I believe it has done so much for me. I want to share what I have experienced and learned with anyone willing to listen. Running has made me more confident, healthier and less stressed. It has also allowed me to meet so many great people. Many of whom are now close friends. Running is something that I want to share with everyone who is interested. It is the one sport that you can participate in at any level and where it is actually encouraged.
I believe that some people don't even try to run because they associate it with punishment. Remember when your coach would say "take a lap". It was the penalty you paid for doing something wrong on the field. That created a negative association with running. While running may have not been fun in the past, it could be fun now. I will tell anyone who asks me that running is an easy sport. It doesn't matter what speed I run. It only matters that I get out there and run. The distance is the same whether the person runs it at a 15 minute or 5 minute pace. I ran the same 26.2 miles in New York in November that Ghirmay Ghebreslassie ran. He just ran it at slightly faster pace (4:53 per mile vs. 9:46 per mile). The only thing stopping anyone from running is the gumption to lace on a pair of shoes and head out the door.
As I participate in the sport, I am welcomed by an enormous running community. The best part of being a part of this community is that everyone I meet truly wants me to succeed. The reason I started this blog in the first place was so that I could write about it. I don't really know if anyone really reads my musings on a regular basis. But in the end it doesn't matter. I know that whoever discovers my posts will benefit from what I have learned over the years. When I discuss running with my friends, I have found that they are just like me. They have had the same thoughts and fears I have experienced over the years. This is where the real connection point is between runners whether they are elite or mid-packers.
I believe strongly that being a runner adds value to my life in so many ways. It has taught me that I can set a goal and through hard work and perseverance achieve it. For me it started out just as a way to lose a little weight and get some exercise. Then I challenged myself to try and run a 5K in less than 30 minutes. Next I stepped up to the 10K distance. Before I knew it, I was crossing the finish line of my first marathon. What I want each runner to know is that the end goal is what drives me to improve so that I can reach my goals. Running always makes me feel alive. It makes me feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. Ultimately it allows me to connect myself to the greater running community.
Perhaps the reason that people seem to apologize to me about their runs when they share their experiences with me is because running doesn't hold the same level of importance in their life. Even if it isn't a huge part of their life, I still love hearing about their experiences. I love it when someone tells me that they ran their first race ever. I always tell them how excited I am for them. Reaching a goal is so meaningful. I never let them compare what they have achieved to my running life because it is an individual sport. I know that when a runner is just getting started, their fight is more much mental than physical. I usually tell than them that since they made the commitment to run that first race that they now have the mental strength to push through anything. They will over time find their runs enjoyable and something to look forward to.
Feb. 13 – 5.30 miles (45:36, 8:36 pace) - Speed Work
Feb. 14 – 5.20 miles (54:09, 10:25 pace) - Hill Repeats
Feb. 16 – 4.20 miles (35:29, 8:27 pace) - Tempo Run
Feb. 17 – 6.20 miles (54:57, 8:52 pace)
Feb. 18 – 9.30 miles (1:23:54; 9:01 pace)
Feb. 19 – 7.20 miles (1:03:33, 8:50 pace)
Feb. 20 – 5.50 miles (59:18, 10:47 pace) - Hill Repeats
Feb. 21 – 5.30 miles (44:29, 8:24 pace) - Speed Work
Feb. 23 – 4.20 miles (37:44, 8:59 pace)
Feb. 24 – 6.20 miles (54:28, 8:47 pace)
Feb. 25 – 9.50 miles (1:25:34, 9:00 pace)
Feb. 26 – 10.20 miles (1:30:12, 8:51 pace)
Total Miles: 78.3 miles
2017 Total Miles: 334.1 miles
1 comment:
Your comments are well appreciated by those who run or walk (like I do) on a regular basis we are all much better for doing it. As you stated the distance is what counts not the time it took you to get there. Jody did great for her 1st time. I'm certain she appreciated the support from her big brother.
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