lately when people ask me what i like about running, i’ve been leading with this: it helps me practice positive self talk. in no other aspect of my life, am i able to cheer myself on as reliably as when it’s me vs. the road. today, i ran a half marathon with one of my besties, and we killed it — despite pouring rain!
i’d been discouraged by my training over the summer. twice, i took about 2 1/2 weeks off. and i’d only managed 4 or 5 “long” runs leading up to the half (a 7 point something, an 8, a 9 1/2 and an 11. 25). running this summer was very difficult — so hot and humid. my 9.5 was mediocre, and even though my 11.25 was pretty awesome, i was worried. i thought i had let myself down by not following through exactly as i’d planned.
but today was race day, and as i said in the beginning, i’m so happy with how i did. i need to learn from it — #1) give myself credit for what i do (from my disappointment with my training, i nearly quit. that’s silly. things are still worth doing even if i’m less than perfect) and #2) challenge myself more and more. i can do more than i think i can. i’m the one who holds me back.
i also definitely would have bailed along the way — either during training or facing a rainy forecast — if it weren’t for the inspiration and accountability from my friend. there’s a lesson there, too. i’m learning not to waste time on the crazies and to invest my energies in people and activities that pump me up.
You know, I think about running 1 mile and I get the shudders, so when I see numbers creep into the double-digits, I am duly impressed and doubly horrified. 🙂 Congrats, though! I think the lessons you’ve pulled out of the experience are spot-on.
thanks, joseph! i *do* tend to horrify people. 😉 but i do like running & it’s good for more than just my body. helps keep anxiety at bay and reminds me about staying positive and working toward goals!!
if todays post was a reply to my poet-tree invitation,two metaphors came to the fore; 1st time I’ve expierenced a literary polemic 2nd ,I’ve been in firefights before, I certianly didn’t intend to make you feel threatened .its funn if you’d give it a chance
didn’t understand the earlier invitation.
Good for you. As Dove Chocolate once said to me, “It’s OK to be Fabulous & flawed.”
so true. 🙂
Way to go, Carolee! Finishing, whether you hit a time goal you have set or not, is more than most people do. I have been down on myself for struggling through my last few long runs in preparation for a half marathon in New Orleans late in October. You remind me to give myself credit for getting out there and doing it in the first place!
i did end up meeting my goal — good thing i didn’t quit!!