"What is passion? It is surely the becoming of a person."
John Boorman
Passion is the wind beneath my broken wings...for it has been a difficult week. Yesterday, I ran a 5K tempo run that, based on how I felt, should have been at an amazing pace...NOT! I was tired and it was hard, I could not seem to make myself go faster. So my overall time was a good two minutes over my best 5K time last week. Then today was my running group run and we were doing a 7K steady run. I was steady all right...steadily last. Within about two minutes, everyone had passed me and I remained a good 500 meters behind the second slowest pair for the whole run. Although, around 1K before the end, one of our trainers came and ran with me...she's so sweet. She wanted to know how I was doing and telling me to just listen to my body. It made the last K go by much faster. Still, it was hard tonight and again I added two minutes onto my last weeks 7K time. Hopefully, by next week things will be back to relative normality (not loving the prednisone low).
What keeps me going you ask? You weren't even wondering were you? I'm tell you anyway :) Of course, there's more than one thing that motivates me, but one of those is surely passion...I am nothing if not passionate about running. Yes, I am determined to reach my goal, but that's because I love running, I love how it makes me feel, I love the idea of being an "athlete", I love following a training program and wearing running clothes and talking about running and reading about running and well...I think you get the picture. I am passionate about running...so even though I'm having a tough week, the idea of not running is not an option that I consider. I knew I would be slower (hard to believe that is even possible)...but, I did it and I'm proud that I did it. Saturday, I have 18K planned, my longest run so far...so please, send lots of energy vibes my way!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Cheers!
24 comments:
I think that we all have rough weeks...I know I do! And then there are those days when you have an awesome run and it renews your faith in running. Hope you have a great run this weekend!
Hugs from me!I will send you all my energy on Saturday, promise!
Also, if you keep reminding yourself that running is yours for LIFE, a bad week like the one you are having might be easier to "digest" :) set backs like this are part of the deal... and in your case, you even know what is causing it so you don't have to wonder why are you not doing better... it's just a matter of a few days before you get out of the prednisone low zone... hang on and just ENJOY being (physically) able to run!
Good for you for getting it done and your winning attitude! Sending lots of positive vibes!
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
Sorry you're having a rough week - it happens. Hope your long run goes well this weekend!
Way to keep getting out there. Good luck on the 18K!
oy, ebbs and flows baby right? I hear you on that. tonite I did my threshold run and I thought i'd hit the numbers..uh, well didn't happen. But I still did it, and tomorrow brings another day right? (didn't somebody famous say so??;-)
I will totally be thinking about you this weekend! You wil do great...not matter what! There are always tough days that make me questions my running ability...it's normal. Good runs make all the differance.
So sorry you are having a rough week. I'll be with you in spirit on Saturday - I have to do my long run then, too. Hang in there!
I have these bad weeks as well. The good thing is that once I'm over it I usually feel and see good progress. I think our bodies just need to back down from time to time. You'll be running much better soon. In the mean time take it easy. You're still logging the distance and that's awesome. I do most runs just for the distance, not for the time.
Enjoy your 18 km tomorrow. I like your thoughts about the passion for running. Other motivations: our log-book, the album with the pictures, the hardwares (I have lost all of them when I changed house). Don't worry for the rough week, sometimes it happens, especially in early spring.
I think most runners have these bad times. I certainly do. I would say goals motivate me. I will run no matter what even if I feel crummy and slow. I just hope the next time will be better and it often is. How nice of that runner to come back with you.
I hope the rough week is over and that the 18k is awesome!
Luckily you realise that not every run is going to be epic. With having said that, good for you to get out there and sometimes a slower, shorter run is just as good as a fast one. You are not racing, you are training....and often it is about endurance not speed when you are actually running your race.
Similarily, as a group leader, I would go back and forth within the group and I'd run with someone who wasn't having the best of days....that always gave me the insight as to the determination of that runner and what they were dealing with, in turn, they gave me strength....it is all about sharing in this little running community of ours.
xoxoxo
My bondiband is off to you for sticking it out the way you do. It's so hard to be last when you're running with a group. Many would've given up long ago. You are awesome for following your passion. Running has been very good to me and I know it's the same for you. A much better run is always just around the corner. Now go rock that 18k this weekend!
have fun on your run!
The highs and lows come with the territory in this sport. Hope your next run is better! Keep the passion alive!
Anne,
I love running too and today I had a tough one as well, I love to hear people talk about what gets them through the hard times! Great post and good for you!
Sorry it has been a rough week! But you kept going - I guess that is what runners do huh? I guess that qualifies us as true runners, right? Hope your 18K goes well tomorrow - look forward to your report!
Sending good thoughts your way . . .
Several people have mention tough running this week. For me, April and May are tough months to run. I share your passion for running. This too shall pass. Hang on, and good luck this weekend. Sending good vibes your way.
You're right Anne, running makes us happier. I think that there's a relationship between phisical activity and mental penformance.
Have a nice training session again.
Sometime we have it and sometimes we don't. But during it all we need to keep going . . . and you are certainly an example of staying on track.
Good luck tomorrow with the 18K. Run and Enjoy yourself. ;-)
I needed your large dose of running passion today, Anne. Thanks!
Ditto on your second paragraph. This week has not been good to us. But it will get better. :)
When I was a competitive swimmer, my dad used to say, "Nothing behind you matters," which I don't necessarily agree with in life, but in sports it makes sense. Keep your eye on the prize and forget about what you left behind.
It just IS like that sometimes - you are having a HARD week but you're sticking with it which is fantastic. You will be back in there at some point and you'll know it is good because you had this week. Keep up the good work!
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