This running thing, it’s not my thing. I am jealous of all of you that love to run. Those that look forward to the scheduled run days, that lovingly lay out run shoes and fanaticize about putting in enough miles for a new pair. It’s not that I haven’t had some great runs. There are days that I really have enjoyed my time on my feet – but it’s very rare. There are a few places that can make me smile … but more often than not running is a chore.
The biggest reason I don’t like to run? I suck at it. How can you suck at running? Really? Two year olds do it … why can’t I. I have mile-long legs so it should be something I am good at.
I’ve wanted to like running for as long as I can remember. I showed up for summer information sessions for cross country, got my schedule and taped it to my door. I envisioned myself, fleet-footed and proudly wearing my school colors. I put on my cutest umbros and t and went outside ready to tackle the world. I made it one block. One block, if that really, I don’t remember. My breathing was ragged and I hurt, but I was able to put an X on the first day of training. The success didn’t last though and I was done by the end of the week. I was no thoroughly convinced there was no place for me in the runner’s world and as such reverted back to music dork and went on with my life. In college, I gave it another go when I realized my weight was spiraling out of control. Sadly, I achieved the same longevity as a runner as my first attempt.
Now I call myself a triathlete – and as such – I run. In training, I run a few times a week – some runs are transition runs, some are long runs and some are tempo/speedwork runs. In addition to the runs tacked onto my tris, I have completed four open half marathons and six open full marathons. With all this running, I still don’t like to run. This fall will be the first fall that I do not have a distance run (half or full marathon) on my schedule. I have gotten tired of ending my season doing something that isn’t fun.
I may not like it – but I keep plugging away at it. My run is currently one weakness I am actively trying to work on in my racing. I pass so many girls on the bike, just to lose it on the run, and in order to get better, you need to run more. So I run. When I jumped into coaching, I chose a coach and a package that would allow extra concentration on my run. Once a month, I have a one on one run with my coach. While its intimidating, its really shown me what I am capable of. All summer we have taken advantage of the long days and have been working tempo-runs out on the trail. Last night, we transitioned back to the track, driven there by early sunsets and cool temps. The last time we were at the track was MAY!
Track workouts give you a great idea of where you are and your progression. Back in May, I ran mile repeats plus a hill effort x4 (that one makes me queasy just thinking about it!). Last night it was step-down mile repeats. I was so nervous when Jack told me we were going to start at 8:30s and see where we could push it. For reference, my May repeats were at 8:35. Last night my repeats were as follows: 8:23, 8:07, 7:51, 7:35 with a 2:30 rest between each. Admittedly, I thought I was going to pass out on the last one, so its clearly outside the my comfort zone. Discounting that fact (and not remembering what my perceived effort was on the May repeats), I am left with the thought “HOLY HECK! I dropped a MINUTE on my repeats since MAY.”
Coach Jack always tells me to believe in the work and trust the effort that I have put into my training. On a day by day perspective, it can be hard to see the improvements. I’m still one of the weakest runners in my group, and I still get passed by a lot of people in a race. But … when I take a step back, the improvements I have made are HUGE. My feet turn over better, my posture is better and I can push through the mental wall a lot better. I am not “floating” yet, but I no longer feel glued to the ground either.
I still might not like running, but I sucking less day by day. I don’t have to love it to be good at it … but I think as I improve, I’m starting to embrace the challenge. Every day I lace up my shoes – I am getting one step closer to my goal. Watch out world, I may yet be a runner.
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