Reality Lessons
Do you know the hardest thing about about running for me? It’s the fact that I am suppose to compete against myself and forget the rest of the world. Now, that approach seems like a big excuse for not being as good as everyone else. Many a self help book (and people with a lot of common sense) remind us that we all have limitiations and that it is a good thing to try and exceed them. However it is difficult to not be frustrated when my individual limitation is not due to something in particular, like an illness, but rather is just a general “you suck at this” limitation. I am trying to suck less, true. But, as I read over my previous posts, I see clearly that I just don’t buy the whole ” your only competition is you” approach.
However, with that said, I have evolved in my thinking in a number of ways:
1. I believe my body can adapt to additional stressors and get a bit faster and much fitter.
2. I understand what good training looks like. It involves rest, and then pushing yourself. It also involves taking care of any nagging injuries.
3. Running is a disipline and to get better at running, I just need to run more.
4. I can loose weight if I change my eating habits. I may never be my goal weight, but I can always be fit.
5. Finding a safe place to run can be challenging, but there are ways of fitting it into your day and there are lots of great trails, streets and locations if you look for them.
6. When I run, play soccer, go for a swim etc, others also feel motivated to do exercise and something supportive starts to happen.
7. Having quality gear is important. Adidas running gear is great, particularly the sneakers.
8. Nutritionists are tough people who say terrible things about sugar, much like a straight talking best friend who telsl you your husband is cheating on you. However, they say it because it is true and if you listen, things will change.
9. I really like having a running coach and Tania is great. I think its a shame we have never met, or I never met the other winners or was a part of that great photoshoot in Toronto. However, Canada is big and budget’s are small and I am grateful for the support I have received. I highly recommend Tania and Goalspeed Coaching.
10. I don’t believe that my only competition is myself and I think I always will feel discouragement about running, because I like to be good at things. Other things I can stand being not good at and I always thought of myself a physically capable in lots of ways, but I am just average or below at speed. Another reality check.
Next week is my taper weeks and then I race and I will post to let everyone know my results. It is going to be tough for me to hit 60 minutes for a 10K based on my training times. I will certainly improve over my 67 minute finish last year and I will be in the neighbourhood of 6o. I guess if I make it there will be other lessons, same if I don’t make it. Perhaps that is a lesson to