As I was writing last night’s post, I was hit with a heavy dose of drowsiness. I actually fell asleep with a finger on the space bar: that’s how tired I was. I actually wanted to elaborate a little bit on what that quote was all about. See, I’m not entirely sure if it’s completely apparent what’s so special about it. I was going to write out a good explanation. Unfortunately, sleep won out so I just published the post.
So.
“These days, I’m actually able to run with people.”
Way back when I was just starting out, I always had issues keeping up with everyone. I’m sure weight was a factor, as well as my apparent lack of athleticism, but to me it wasn’t enough to sour me on the whole running experience. Each time we were given a route, I was determined to just finish it. That was the important thing. It didn’t matter if I came in much later. I knew I was slow, so I just accepted it. Sure, I wished I could go faster, but in the end simply wishing isn’t going to get results, right?
What were the implications then? Well, sure, in the earlier clinics the group leaders and occasionally the coach would be with me as I plodded along, but I knew that it would be wrong of me to expect them to be with me all the time. Sure, they may have been next to me, but in truth they weren’t really running with me. Does that make sense? I recognized that they had their own goals; they wouldn’t be able to reach those goals as long as they ran alongside me. I encouraged them to go ahead without me. As long as I knew the route, I’d be fine. So, after a while I just got used to running on my own.
By the time I got to half marathon training, I was still on my own a lot of the time. This time though, I had a few more people checking in on me from time to time. They weren’t necessarily running beside me, but they would at least keep an eye on me from a distance. I guess it was necessary due to the long distances. No one wanted me to just keel over mid-route. During these long runs, I learned to listen to my body, and recognize the difference been being a little tired and having true heavy fatigue. I was making little improvements here and there, but not anything drastic. It wasn’t until my third time through the training schedule that things really started changing.
During this third time through the schedule, I was asked to be a group leader by the coaches for that cycle. Of course, I questioned the rationale for such a decision, but they insisted that my consistency with training would be valuable. It didn’t matter if I was slow, because this time around there were people that were just as slow as I was. So, through the training I stuck with them and encouraged them as much as I could. Over time, due to slowing down, I actually found myself becoming a bit of a stronger runner. Shocking, really. I made it out of that training cycle with my best half marathon time.
My fourth half marathon training cycle happened this past summer. I was determined to make the training count, so I diligently followed the plan and tried to challenge myself whenever possible. I did find myself getting a little faster. I really do think that this was my breakthrough cycle. My body finally figured out what to do with itself. Sure, the resulting race was kind of crappy, but under more sympathetic conditions I know I would have improved my race time.
That all leads me to this clinic that I’m coaching right now. Due to my position, I’ve been doing my best to train earnestly just so I could set a good example. I’ve been pushing myself and I’ve been getting results. Also, I’ve been losing weight by counting calories. I’m sure my lighter frame is helping me to move better. Somehow it clicked that I was suddenly running more mid-pack than at the rear. It wasn’t something I was intentionally aiming for, but it’s almost as if it just happened.
So that’s been my progression over the past few years. It’s definitely heartening to see that persistence and training really do pay off. Perhaps it’s slower for some people than for others, but it just goes to show that sticking with something makes all the difference.
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6 comments
OmegaRadium says:
Wed. January 20, 2010 at 8:59 pm (UTC -5 )
You know, I just recently started running with my coworkers and I fell in at the back of the pack for various reasons. I’ve never been fast, but simply sticking with it for a few months lead me to some improvement in speed and endurance. I’m glad to see others have had this issue too, and you’ve helped motivate me a bit more to keep at it.
Jay says:
Wed. January 20, 2010 at 9:22 pm (UTC -5 )
Mentally it can be a tough thing being back there. Thing is, you have to realize that it’s going to be hard to ever catch up. That’s because as much as you’re improving, they’re improving as well. So, more than anything what needs to happen is a change in perspective. Running isn’t about other people. It’s about you: you’re competing against yourself.
I hope you keep it up!
kyleen says:
Thu. January 21, 2010 at 6:27 am (UTC -5 )
This analogy can be applied to life in general.
Even if you don’t think you’re keeping up with your peers, if you keep at it, you will be successful.
The key to EVERYTHING is never, ever, give up or give in.
By the way, you’re totally awesome for making such positive changes in your life! I’ve told you that privately, but I think a public statement is always welcome.
Jay says:
Thu. January 21, 2010 at 2:49 pm (UTC -5 )
That’s a great point. Your measure of success should not depend on the success and failure of other people. You need to set your own standards.
Thanks for the compliments. This journey is long and unending, but it’s good to know I have people cheering for me.
ClaireSuzanne says:
Thu. January 21, 2010 at 11:31 am (UTC -5 )
I admire your perseverance. I don’t know if I’d have the patience or the drive to do that. But I’ve been thinking about doing a couch to 5k training program when it gets a little warmer. I’ve never run before, but I think I might try.
Jay says:
Thu. January 21, 2010 at 2:52 pm (UTC -5 )
Thank you! I think everyone has the patience, but it’s something that you need to build toward.
I really do encourage you to do the couch to 5K. That’s basically what I did when I was starting out with no prior experience. Better yet, do a Learn to Run Clinic with your local Running Room store. They do the couch to 5K, but at least you’ll benefit from the group mentality. From my experience, and other people that I’ve coached, the program is such that it kind of gets harder before it gets easier. So, more than anything, stick with the program if you do it and it will pay off in the end!