9.10.2006

100th Post!

Yes, this is my 100th post! Aren't well all lucky?!

After completing my 5k run in the Badlands of Medora this past weekend, I will be looking forward to starting fresh and really concentrate on becoming a better runner. Before my race, I was so focussed on just getting the mileage down, hoping to not take in any injuries.

Will I ever be able to run 3 miles?

Is it my shoes? Is it me?

Did I get a few good 3 milers in this week?

Am I ready for these 6 miles today? 8 miles?

If I go out tonight, I won't be doing any running in the morning...or will I?

Will I be able to get this long run in before I have to head to work?

Am I going to be able to run 6 miles and then stand on my feet for 4 hours, .... or 5 hours and enjoy working with any customers??


So what if I only ran twice during the week? So what if I had a couple beers last night? So what if I ate a heavy dinner? Will these things really make a difference?

Does it matter that I didn't run the entire time I was out there? How am I supposed to focus on quality when training for half marathons are so focussed on quantity?

Why can I run 3 miles one day, and then struggle with 2 the next? Why can I run 6 miles and then struggle with 3 miles two days later?

Will I ever be ready for this half marathon? Will I be ready for this 10k trail race? Will.... I...ever...be...ready? ....Mentally? ......Physically?

These are just a few of the many the things that have consumed my mind during the whole training process.

"Top results are reached only through pain. But eventually you like this pain. You'll find the more difficulties you have on the way, the more you will enjoy your success."

...So true...so true. And it describes me as a person....as a runner. And, somewhere in my training, I had forgotten this quote. I need to remember this quote. I do enjoy pain. I have always enjoyed the pain I have gained from doing anything physically active. Doesn't everyone? Doesn't it give us a sense of accomplishment? Especially when it follows a run we never thought we would get through? Or a 10 mile bike ride with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour...leaving our quads feeling like jello?

*sigh*

Now, it is time to push myself a little harder. Push myself to become better; faster, stronger, and heighten my endurance. With some wonderful advice from you all, and a little extra research and reading, I have decided to tweak my future workouts. Thus, hoping that my schedule with school and classes won't deter me too much from my running. I am not going to "train" for a specific race right now. Yes, I am still going to run. God yes, I am still going to participate in some shorter races. (who would give up that...with free t-shirts and all?) I am still going to log those miles. I know I can run 6 miles now. I know I can do 8 miles. I know I can take part in a 10K race.

I just want to become better... I am going to run for me.... not for a race....

JUST...FOR...ME....

4 comments:

MNFirefly said...

Congrads on number 100. I am getting a little closer myself.

VERY awesome post.

Blaine and Steph said...

Well said Stace! I'm proud of all you have accomplished since you first started running, way to stick with it through all the pain and difficulties! I'm glad you are going to focus on your self; it sounds like an excellent idea.

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your 100th post. Glad to hear about the race and I look forward to hearing about more in the future.

Anonymous said...

Happy 100th and what fun it was!