On Being Slow

Stopping in the middle of a training run.... This sign says it all!

I am not a fast runner.  I state often how slow I am.  When someone congratulates me on a race, I always feel I need to follow up that compliment with a "well,  I run really slow".  When I end up talking about running, even to people who really don't know me, I always feel like I have to clarify that I run slow.  As if running slow doesn't qualify me as a runner.  Its a problem I have.  I've thought a lot about it why I do this.  Part of it is I really don't feel like a "real runner".  But, honestly, I also want people to understand that if I can do it, they can too.  That running doesn't have to be fast to count.


There seem to be two line of thoughts.  Those that believe that to be consider a "real" runner, you need to be competitive.  You need to have thoughts of Boston on your mind.  Others believe that as long as you are going out and putting in the miles, you are a runner.  The funny thing is that I believe that as long as you are out there running, then you are a runner.  Except for me.

I work hard at my running.  I push my heart rate.  I might only be running at around a 10 min/ mile pace, but my heart rate is in zone 4.  I run 3-4 times a week, logging my miles in consistently.  I follow training plans.  My pace is not because I am a casual jogger.  My pace just is.

So one marathon, one half-ironman, countless other tri's, half-marathons, and other races..... I still have to tell myself that I Am a Runner.

Who is your inspiration?

I am tagging onto my last post.  I love reading about inspirational people.... but honestly?  Most of them that get written about, I don't find my inspiration from.  Although those marathon winners, Olympic athletes, and race winners are amazing, they are out of my league.  So I want to spend some time talking about who I actually get my inspiration from.

Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall are amazing athletes.  But no matter how many Yasso 8
00's I do, I will never be considered fast like Bart Yasso.  So for me, these people don't really inspire me.  I respect what they can do, how hard they work, how fast they run.  But they don't inspire me to run.  That comes from the people that I know personally.

One example is a friend who I think has the mental toughness of a battleship.  She quite often uses her runs to work out the many difficulties that life is throwing at her.  She doesn't spend her time on her runs wallowing about how life isn't fair (and it isn't.... she has had to deal with more than what is "fair") but buckles down and lets her body work.

My coach and training partner both inspire me.   Both of them are two of the most upbeat people I know.  They make me laugh, they live their lives with no regrets, and they both have hearts the size of Texas.   They both have achieved great things athletically, but I find that is only part of the inspiration.

Me and my girl after her first half marathon.  And, yes, she beat me!

My last example are my daughters.  My middle one decided she wanted to run in 7th grade.  She started out running with me and barely being able to run 200 yards.  Just this past year, as a freshman in high school she completed her first half marathon.  Now, that?  That is inspiration.

There are so many other examples of people who inspire me.  For this purpose, I tried to limit it to those who inspire me to run, bike, and swim.  But I could go on and on with people around me who inspire me to be better.

How to Become More.......

I got a wonderful compliment from a friend recently.  My first instinct was to dismiss it..... "nah, not me"  Then after some thought I decided that maybe I should just accept it.  But to accept it, I also had to think about why I could believe it.  I know I am being very vague right now.... but stick with me.  I think that being vague is actually better here.

I decided I could believe it because I do believe that as I get older, I get better.  I am not necessarily faster, prettier, skinnier, or any of that which we most often judge ourselves and others.  But I am better.  I am better at figuring out what is important.  I am better recognizing my strengths and laughing at my weaknesses.  I am better at stretching myself to discover new things.  When I was in high school, my athletic ability was being able to march in marching band.  Within the past week?  I have learned that I am capable of finishing a half ironman.... and within the legal time limits!  The person I am today is NOT the person I was 25 years or so ago.

Now.... back to the question about why I could believe it.  Or, maybe the better question is why I have gotten better at those things.  That, I believe, has everything to do with surrounding myself with strong amazing people.  I remember as a teenager, instead of choosing my friends based on similarities, I tried to choose them based on their social standing in the school.  Obviously that didn't go over well.  Now, I could care less about social standings.  Instead, I have chosen to hang around people that I find interesting, that I have stuff in common with, and that I find inspiring. This has taken time and work.  I am not good at making friends.  But I have found them.  And  they are all amazing people.  They are constantly inspiring me to become better.

So, my advice is.... do you want to run?  Surround yourself with people who love running.  Do you want to cook/bake?  Surround yourself with those who have mastered that art in the kitchen.  Do you want to write?  Read more and surround yourself with those who have a passion for reading and writing.  Those amazing people are out there.  And when you surround yourself with them, you become more amazing as well.  And maybe..... just maybe..... you can help inspire someone else to find their own little bit of amazingness.