In my ten mile race this past weekend, I was not last…but very close to it! While no one ever wants to be last, I have to keep reminding myself that I am not racing everyone else, I am racing myself! I am racing the old me…and the new me is winning.
When I start to feel insecure about my times—I look at where I started and where I am now. When I first started, I could run only a few minutes of my 2 mile runs. These two mile runs were hard work for me and it took me over thirty minutes. I would average about 16 minutes a mile. Now, I can run an 11 minute mile. My “easy” run days are 3 milers and I can finish in about 35 minutes. While 35 minutes for a three mile run may be terrible for some, for me it’s awesome!
I have been thinking a lot about my 9/11 Run to Remember 5k coming up. My sisters and a few friends will be doing it also. My goal is not to beat any of them, but to beat my time from my June 5k. I did the Baltimore Women’s Classic on June 26th and came in at 41:44. I have done lots of 5k practice runs since then, coming in at around 36-38 minutes. So, that is what my goal will be: to finish the 5k in less than 38 minutes. If I achieve my goal, I will cut my 5k PR by almost 4 minutes. Not bad for less than three months of a time difference.
Do you compare yourself to other runners? Do you find it helps or hurts you? How to you make yourself stop?
A dream is a wish…
--Amy
***Blogorama starts next week! I have an AMAZING prize for you to win! It is by far my favorite giveaway to date and from a company I really believe in. I can’t wait for you all to see it!
I do this all the time. It's so hard. I think I do it because I'm looking at where I want to be. I will get so annoyed when I finish 10-15 minutes behind them. And then I forget that I've come a long way from where I started. What awesome progress you are making. Keep it up!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I get upset with myself because I'm slow but I also need to remember that a few months ago I couldn't run for more than a few seconds at a time. Now I can run a few miles with no problem at all.
ReplyDeleteI had a 5K on Monday, and your comments really hit home with me. I compared myself to the other runners and walkers (some of the walkers were out-pacing me!!!)...like, "Oh my gosh! That race walker just passed me!" Well, I shook it off, and started to realize that the only person I was racing was ME. So, my goal was to beat my last 5K time. And, I beat it by EIGHT minutes!!! I was very proud of myself when I finished, and though I didn't run a spectacular time, I did my personal best! I have another one in 10 days, and I am hoping to beat that time by at least a minute. It pushes me to keep improving myself--no one else!
ReplyDeleteKate
You're so right. And while I was nodding and agreeing with you, I then read your times and felt crappy about the fact that I haven't improved as much as you have since my 43 min 5K time in June. I'm even procrastinating running another 5K because I don't want to be disappointed! In addition to aerobic fitness, running is challenging my humility and patience! Sigh. :)
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