Wow, have my runs have sucked lately.
I’m training to run a half marathon at the National Capital Race Weekendon Sunday, May 24th. Each Sunday morning, I head out full of hope that this will be the day I regain the “top of game” feeling I had last fall, when I managed to squeak in under the 2 hour mark at Ottawa’s new Army Run. And each Sunday, I come back through my door dragging my butt and hanging my head (there’s a pretty picture), knowing I’ve managed to achieve an average pace just a notch slower than the week before.
There are lots of reasons and a few excuses. I’ve clocked fewer miles, gained a couple of pounds, and generally adopted an attitude on most runs that “just getting out there” is enough, never mind pushing myself. I’ve also been really busy and a little run down (those are the excuses). Regardless, there are not miracles in running. You get what you give.
The Runner I Married has reminded me that every runner eventually comes to terms with the fact that the running experience is not just achieving one PR (personal record) after another. There are good runs and bad. There are times when everything comes together beautifully and times when it doesn’t. Still, after a long stretch of one cool, new thing after another (my first 5K! my first 10K! a marathon!), I may be about to experience another new thing: my first big disappointment. Not a PR, but a PW (personal worst).
So be it. I’ll run this race, be glad for what I can accomplish, and learn from the experience.
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