I'll warn you, the post is kind of long, but I couldn't help it. It may have only been 3.1 miles but the effort it took to do it the way I did it was pretty big. I worked out 6 days a week, even when I was tired after a long day of chasing kids, even when there was no convenient time to get it in, I did it. I did some tough speed training; tempo runs, intervals, mile repeats, and long runs. It wasn't just the race, it was all the work it takes to get there.
When I started "running" a year and half ago I always felt a little self conscious calling myself a runner. I had no previous experience, no team training, nothing but the articles I could find online and in magazines to help me figure out this new hobby. And while it seems pretty simple, put one foot in front of the other, I still felt like a wanna-be sometimes. After this race though things changed. I was walking back to the car with Taber, it was pouring rain and I was exhausted from my effort. I was trying to process how I felt about the race and finally the words came, "I feel like I'm a runner now." Taber laughed, "Well of course you are!" But no, this time I really really feel like one. I ran fast. I was 117 out of 1063 runners. I was 20 out of 287 in my age division. Of 22 pages of results, my name was on page 3. These are probably silly statistics to a lot of people but to me they felt like a reward to my efforts. Like a confirmation that the more you do, the more you become. And I've gotta say, I think I've become a runner : )
Becca You are AWESOME! I totally know what you mean about being a runner though. I've done a few 5K's and a Triathlon and I've run for the past 3 months straight! But I won't feel like a runner till I finish a marathon or run a race under a 10 minute mile. I don't know why that would make me a runner, but in my brain it does! Good job reaching your goal dude and sticking to your training. I'm proud of you!
ReplyDeleteDude, Totally Naomi! That's exactly how I felt! Weird huh? Maybe it's because we know Kevin, and he's like, a REAL runner, and has set this crazy high standard for everyone. Geez Kevin!!!
ReplyDeleteEven after I qualified for Boston, I still felt like I was a faker. :/ However, for me, I feel like it's how long I've been running (for over a year now) and how much experience I've had running races. I now feel like I know what I'm doing and can give advice to other people about running. I still feel like I cheated or something to qualify for Boston though! :)
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That is an awesome performance! And however unreal it sounds, you ARE a runner. I don't think those are silly statistics at all. They are a statement of how far you have come and how much effort you put into it.
I already found you!
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