Sunday morning, 10-mile running race.
I had signed up for this race several months in advance, as is often the case for popular running events — this one attracted 5,000 runners. Not bad for a 10 miler!
Last event -- end of the swim in my latest sprint triathlon
But several months in advance means you are planning to be ready then; but… there is a but… you just don’t know what the day might hold for you, or if you will stay the course with your anticipated training program.
It takes a lot of dedication to stick to the training. Lately I’ve put my time into blogging and my running has suffered. Something’s gotta give!
Today I ran despite the lack of preparation because…
- I had committed myself to (and paid $60 for the registration, I hate to waste my money!)
- I was looking forward to running with my friends and my husband
- It was a beautiful day, actually it was a perfect day for a run
However I should have run more in the weeks leading up to the event; I’ve let an old injury be the excuse for the slacking (I really did hurt my knees at some point) and I had not run at all since my last race, a spring triathlon two weeks ago.
I am not completely naive, I know I will hurt tomorrow!
But I wanted to share what helped me go through this run nonetheless.
- The shirts of other runners that read: “Pain is temporary, pride is forever” throughout the course. Well of course this motto is directed at marathoners, but I’ve been there, so I know how it feels. When you run 26.2 miles it helps to remember why you do it. However on that stretch of 10 miles I really needed that form of encouragement.
- At mile 4 a residence we passed on the course was blasting the radio with Bob Marley, but all I heard was “No running, no cry… No running, no cryyyyy…” It made me smile.
- Around mile 7 a reggae artist was singing with his eyes closed. So I closed my eyes to help me up the hill.
A little while ago, I wrote that anyone can be a triathlete, maybe I should have started with running, because the investment is minimal, and the pay off is incredible.
For me, the anticipation to go for a run isn’t always there.
I don’t just tell myself, “Great, if I wake up super early I can make the most of the next 45 minutes by changing into my running clothes, socks and shoes, then oh crap where are my sunglasses, and my visor, and my watch…” I won’t lie like that. Getting started is the hardest part.
Running actually does feel pretty good — it did not at first, but now it really does!
And the post run is the most enjoyable time, almost like a feeling of invincibility which lasts for much longer than the actual run, so it would be foolish not to do it.
About a mile before the finish a lady sitting in a chair was cheering the runners passing by her enthusiastically: “Great job runners, I’m sitting in this chair because I could never do what you do”. My friend yelled back in response “Oh yes, you can! You can!”.
I believe she is so right!!
For those who might still think they will never run because they have found a good enough excuse (too old, too tired, too busy…), I want to say: What if you tried, then see what happens?
“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.” John Bingham
If you are just getting started, I’d recommend this book: Galloway’s Book on Running. Despite the dated cover, the basics have not changed. I still skim through the book every once in a while.
By the way? I will need to get on with my running training soon because… I’m planning to run the Paris marathon in April 2011!!
Some of my readers are big time runners some aren’t; so tell me, what makes you run? What prevents you from running?
It's so good to have you back! Share your thoughts, I LOVE comments!
I was waiting for this post. I just knew it was coming. I have missed moments like today. For the past 10 months- between being pregnant and just having a baby- I could only run so much and run so fast. This was my first race post recovery. I have missed the hurt…and so much more. I run for so many reasons. Way too many to list and perhaps some too personal to share. But I am one of those dreamers who believes that anyone can accomplish anything. As long as one has the courage to start and the will to keep going, the possibilities are endless. A little cliche sounding? Maybe…but it’s true. Oh, and that Galloway book is excellent!
Erin, I knew you’d be the first one to comment to this post
Welcome back, we have missed you, but if you remember, you ran all the way through your pregnancy even though not as fast as you used to. Your break from running was much shorter than the average, that makes you a superhero runner or something. Me? I took an entire year to attempt running again and to this day, I am still struggling! Oops!
I am so glad we ran together, I would have never pushed that hard without you by my side.
Congrats on finishing the race!
I’m an on-again off-again runner. I usually pick it up in the summer and take the winters off (of course you will find me in the gym during the winter). This summer I decided to take an extra long break from running, mostly because we are trying for a second kid, and the extra stress of running on my body didn’t seem like a good idea. But man do I miss it.
Allison @ Alli ‘n Son recently posted…Cucumber- Tomato and Dill Pasta Salad
Oh that’s great! The baby making part I mean. You’ll get back into running, you have your entire life to do that kind of stuff if you want to. For babies, not so much
Take care!
Maryline recently posted…Run no matter what
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maryline O, Maryline O. Maryline O said: Run no matter what http://bit.ly/dgCSOL [...]
I need a kick in the ass, and you are the right person to give it to me. I WANT to run, I know I SHOULD run, I spent a FORTUNE on running shoes… and I’ve used them 3 times.
3.
Because…
it’s raining, it’s sunny, it’s too cold, it’s too warm, C is unhappy, C is happy, C is with the nanny so i should catch up on reading/writing/sleep/scrabble, i just ate, i have not eaten, i am tired, etc, etc, etc. Oh, and the streets are so unsafe.
I have to run, dammit.
Awesome, I’m going to practice my ass kicking on YOU! Be prepared
I used to run and could so relate to this post: the hurting knees, the exhilaration of completing a run, the feeling of invincibility! I ran a half marathon in ’98 and on challenging days I’ll often think “If I can do THAT, I can do anything.” and it gets me motivated again.
Thanks for the memory and congratulations for kickin’ ass
Sandi Amorim recently posted…Burning Down the House
That’s right, as Erin commented earlier, you can do anything you set your mind to. Love your attitude, you must be really good at what you do, coach!
Half marathons are by far my favorite distance, challenging enough, usually large crowds to cheer you on, and well-supported events overall, without feeling too beat up the next day as you would be with a marathon.
[...] so sore from my Sunday run, I still climb the stairs with difficulty, but going down is worse. Why is it that the second day [...]
Holy cow you are a rock star! I’ve been training for 13miles. And don’t have nearly enough time to prepare but am enjoying getting back into shape. Just yesterday I finally made it up all three training hills without stopping!
Andrea recently posted…would you hit your gardener
Aww thanks!! I’m finding a new wind to actually get serious with the training (to prevent injury!!), I cannot wait to do more races. It brings me so much joy, to run but mostly to cross that line, and tell myself I go on with my day with XX miles under my belt!
Good for you, hills repeat are not my favorite… to say the least.