Ok...had a GREAT post started (in my head) yesterday. Included a few choice words (some of which were "obscene"). But I vaguely remember it. Should have written it down. Damn it's a bitch gettin old(er)!
I do know that I am not crazy nor am I going crazy. It's been documented by a real doctor, which of course I find amusing. But at least I now have an idea of what the hell is going on with my body and that's always nice. Which reminds me that if any of you are pre-menopausal please me-I gots me some questions to ask. It's been a bit of a roller coaster, and I'm dealing well, but I could use some advice.
I ran (mostly walked) the Track n Treads 5k yesterday here in edwardsville. It was a great course (went through the woods) and I had the opportunity to meet up (and chat with for a second) with another blogger Kate. If you haven't visited her blog you should check her out. She's a great inspiration, funny, and not crazy either (although we teased that she was by doing a 28 hr race; the LBL?). Anyhow, two pals came along for the jaunt. None of us had a CLUE about the course and were overwhelmingly surprised by what we went through. About a mile of it was on sidewalks, the rest went through the woods. It was hilly, thin trail, and a challenge. We are used to road 5ks. For me, Once I was able to shut my brain off, I was reminded of years past and long forgotten. I was able to remember how much fun I had running the streets, out to the creek not far from home. It's safe to say that we all fared well and are willing to do it again. My one friend even managed to come in 2nd for his age group.
The beginning of the run is always hard for me. I am MUCH slower than my friends. They can do their first mile in 7 mins; it takes me 10ish. I'm still amazed that I can do a mile in 10 mins. Anyhow, I'm much slower and cannot yet continue to run an entire 5k. By a 1/4 to 1/2 mile in I'm encouraging my friends to "go ahead" because I just CANNOT keep their pace. I can understand not being able to keep up with D (he's taller and has a bigger stride) but H is my height!! I feel like such a loser. My legs lately often feel like I've got cinder blocks as thighs. A mile or so into Saturdays race I had managed to convince myself that I didn't need to be doing anymore races, that obviously my head isn't in it because I was not getting any better. Races aren't for walkers; they're for competitors. I'm not a competitor; I just want to finish and to do a lil better than the last race. I mentioned this to H over lunch. she said I was being silly. She might be right. I don't know. I honestly don't know. I love participating in 5k's and half marathons but those things are for runners (or so I've heard) and I haven't been able to get my head on right so that I can continue to run (rather than run/walk). I keep finding barriers. Some of which are mind made....
You are SOOO not a loser. I think just a little tweaking of your perspective may be needed. 5k's, 10k's, half marathons, etc. are NOT necessarily for racers! Yes, they can run and race and compete... THEY can. But for the rest of us, it's about doing something FOR OURSELVES! That fact that you are out there moving your body is freakin' awesome!
ReplyDeleteDo you know how many years I sat on a couch eating crap, feeling miserable and thinking I could NEVER be in a 5k because that was for athletes? I used to think anyone who did that was just a majorly physical person. And now that I can actually run - I see it's not about athletes AT ALL - but it's about making personal goals that push you to greater heights! It's about conquering your OWN FEAR and showing TO YOURSELF that you can do it. The only one you compete with is YOURSELF.
Think of all those people right now who can't run... who are too obese to run or who have a handicap or disability. You running and walking a 5K makes you a HERO to them. Anyone who did a 5K was and is a HERO to me!! Because it takes guts, it takes practice, it takes mind over matter... YOU ROCK GIRL!!!
Sorry to ramble... just wanted to stand on a soap box for a minute.
God bless...
~Margene
Thanks for rambling....you bring up valid points. And you're right, it does take Mind over Matter; something I sometimes forget. xoxo
Deletea 5k is just that a 5k, and as long as you finish who cares if you run/walk/crawl? NEVER compare yourself to others, as long as you improve that's all that matters. there are always gonna be others who are faster/thinner/smarter/richer/betterlooking than me but as long as i'm the best timothy i can be i'm happy.
ReplyDeleteLOL thanks Timothy! My friend reminded me that when she first started out I kept telling here "don't compare yourself to others. YOu are you and you are doing hte best you can. Just keep striving to be a lil better each time. You'll be fine." It's very hard to turn my brain/the voices off...I try to run to find that "peaceful spot" where all goes quiet and I just enjoy the moment. I've been there once and it was amazing. I want to be there again! :O)
DeleteYou should check out the tri club website for the photo links. There's a good one of you on the run course.
ReplyDeleteI was so glad to meet you Saturday! It's so funny that you were writing about races not being for walkers but for competitors, because a) I wanted to die for the first 3/4 mile of the run, b) I wanted to quit for the second half of the bike, and c) as I mentally work out my post about why I would title my blog SuperKate when I'm so clearly not super, there was a line about anyone can do it as long as they're not afraid to fail.
You're a competitor...you're out there. One of the coolest things about being a tri club member has been meeting and being friends with all these AMAZING athletes--these people are so fast--and finding out the great respect and admiration they have for ANYONE who's running, regardless of pace or form or anything. The "good" runners don't judge whether you're a runner by your speed, and neither should we. You're a runner if you run (even if you only run part of it, and Saturday was the first time I've ever been able to run that whole course). And I know a year ago you weren't running any 10 minute miles, so give yourself some credit! :)
Thanks Kate! It was a pleasure to meet you Saturday and a pleasure to get to know you. I know I'll get through this "hump" way or another!! :O) I'm still thinking about joining the tri club...gonna wait until after the half marathon to make a decision. With spring hitting things are picking up and I need to get a "schedule" down!
DeleteLOL...I was looking at the tri website from the moment I got home until they posted all the pics! My picture cracks me up because I didn't know he had a camera until I was about to pass him. I saw him from a far but was having an argument with myself and wasn't paying attention until he said "what, you're not going to smile!" You're photos are awesome-love the striped socks and big smiles!