Expectations are a hell of a thing to live up to. Your own. Others'. They can make you feel like you are on top of the world when you meet or exceed them. Or, they can suck you into a self-loathing abyss when you don't quit hit the mark.
On my run Saturday with Jill I had the expectation to run 8 miles. This is always established up-front so you push toward a goal. I can tell you, I did not meet the 8 mile mark. I came up short. The reality of that run was that either allergies or recycled airplane air wreaked havoc on my sinuses - hence making breathing difficult. I just couldn't get enough air. I was completely frustrated as I had to walk throughout the course of that run and with each walk-break becoming more annoyed with myself. I kept apologizing to Jill as she stayed next to me throughout what would become a 10k. Her response was always that it was fine. Not a big deal. Just happy to be spending time together.
Jill's expectation was a bit different than mine - her focus was spending time together. Mine was completing an eight-mile run. Despite the utter frustration associated with my lack of performance, I walked away from that experience thinking that I really just need to set the expectation that I'm spending time with my friends and getting a decent work-out as a fringe benefit. Maybe, just maybe, setting a lighter expectation will yield a more impressive result.
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Race
This original blog draft was something to the effect of, "I came, I saw, I conquered..." ...all of this based on my race training tactics and ultimately the results of my efforts. However, this approach has been kyboshed based on some recent experiences. Realizations if you will.
Tonight I put on my Labor of Love Race shirt that was distributed with the race packets yesterday. I looked in the mirror and became fixated on the verse that resides on the front of the shirt. "...run with endurance the race that is set before you." (Hebrews 12:1) Let that one simmer for a while while I dive into a few real life applications that have bubbled up here in the past couple of days.
Sunday evening I suited up in my apron and hair net at the Haven as I do on a regular basis. Every time I go I always walk away feeling like I have received more than I gave, but it is not always a result of a particular experience. Or, in this case person. His name is Joel. Joel was the team leader on Sunday evening. Accepted to the program at the Haven - the program which will help guide him to (once again) become a positive contributor to society through rehabilitation programs, housing, in-house work and meals which are provided to him - Joel's race is a bit different than mine. Sporting some pretty spectacular ink may at first glance give you some preconceived notions about who this person is. What he is about. What he aspires to be. I had the great privilege to spend the evening working along side of him, talking with him and learning from him. What an incredibly intelligent person whose life steered off course for a while. He's back on track. He's training. He's running his race with endurance and I will add, with grace. It is my hope that he continues to endure, to press toward the finish and does so with the encouragement of those around him.
As a few of us were standing on the sidelines waiting for the one mile racers (the kids) to come in to the finish my friend Jill's sister, Becky, was cheering on every single person who was making the approach to the final stretch. With each passing runner, she was clapping and cheering them on to keep going. "You're doing great!" "Keep going!" "You're almost there!" I looked at my friend Scott and said, "It is the people like Becky who stand along the race course cheering you on that keeps you running when you feel like you cannot go any further." It is those people who carry you to the next mile marker when you doubt your physical and mental stamina to carry you to the finish. Course cheerleaders prove to be an invaluable resource when you are running a race and enduring the course.
This evening I called my friend, Rose, on the way home from work. She asked me to give her a ring, so I did. The last time we saw each other was in California in June. We had a splendid time together - as we always do when we meet up. Tonight her tone was different. It was sober. The exchange of pleasantries was short-lived and she cut to the chase. "Lisa, I have breast cancer. There are some people you just really don't want to tell this news to and you are one of them." My heart sank. Rose is undergoing chemo, has endured surgery and will continue to undergo treatment through the end of the year. Her race is one of life or death. Her life depends upon her endurance. She's an incredibly strong woman. Terribly fun. Full of life. I will take a page from Becky's book and cheer her on to the next mile marker for as long as she can put up with me.
It's ironic how life is constantly put into perspective. Funny how all of the little nuances of a Labor Day race and a Bible verse can change the message of what "racing" really means. Run your race with endurance. Be a race supporter. Train like your life depends on it - because it does.
Tonight I put on my Labor of Love Race shirt that was distributed with the race packets yesterday. I looked in the mirror and became fixated on the verse that resides on the front of the shirt. "...run with endurance the race that is set before you." (Hebrews 12:1) Let that one simmer for a while while I dive into a few real life applications that have bubbled up here in the past couple of days.
Sunday evening I suited up in my apron and hair net at the Haven as I do on a regular basis. Every time I go I always walk away feeling like I have received more than I gave, but it is not always a result of a particular experience. Or, in this case person. His name is Joel. Joel was the team leader on Sunday evening. Accepted to the program at the Haven - the program which will help guide him to (once again) become a positive contributor to society through rehabilitation programs, housing, in-house work and meals which are provided to him - Joel's race is a bit different than mine. Sporting some pretty spectacular ink may at first glance give you some preconceived notions about who this person is. What he is about. What he aspires to be. I had the great privilege to spend the evening working along side of him, talking with him and learning from him. What an incredibly intelligent person whose life steered off course for a while. He's back on track. He's training. He's running his race with endurance and I will add, with grace. It is my hope that he continues to endure, to press toward the finish and does so with the encouragement of those around him.
As a few of us were standing on the sidelines waiting for the one mile racers (the kids) to come in to the finish my friend Jill's sister, Becky, was cheering on every single person who was making the approach to the final stretch. With each passing runner, she was clapping and cheering them on to keep going. "You're doing great!" "Keep going!" "You're almost there!" I looked at my friend Scott and said, "It is the people like Becky who stand along the race course cheering you on that keeps you running when you feel like you cannot go any further." It is those people who carry you to the next mile marker when you doubt your physical and mental stamina to carry you to the finish. Course cheerleaders prove to be an invaluable resource when you are running a race and enduring the course.
This evening I called my friend, Rose, on the way home from work. She asked me to give her a ring, so I did. The last time we saw each other was in California in June. We had a splendid time together - as we always do when we meet up. Tonight her tone was different. It was sober. The exchange of pleasantries was short-lived and she cut to the chase. "Lisa, I have breast cancer. There are some people you just really don't want to tell this news to and you are one of them." My heart sank. Rose is undergoing chemo, has endured surgery and will continue to undergo treatment through the end of the year. Her race is one of life or death. Her life depends upon her endurance. She's an incredibly strong woman. Terribly fun. Full of life. I will take a page from Becky's book and cheer her on to the next mile marker for as long as she can put up with me.
It's ironic how life is constantly put into perspective. Funny how all of the little nuances of a Labor Day race and a Bible verse can change the message of what "racing" really means. Run your race with endurance. Be a race supporter. Train like your life depends on it - because it does.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Running the Hills
Today I ran...and as much as I hate them, I ran some hills. I loathe them and I know they are waiting for me, laughing. Waiting to suck the last bit of energy and breath from me. Today, I conquered them.
Training on hills is a must if you want to build strength, power and endurance. It's not easy - quite the contrary. Hills make your legs burn, your breathing heavy, your body exhausted. But, what a feeling of accomplishment when you've made it to the top.
As I was running, I was thinking. If you don't "run the hills" in life, you never really can know what you are truly made of.
I've had a lot of hills over the past several months, but I keep running. It's painful. It challenges my will-power. The burn sometimes gets the best of me and I slow my pace. But I keep going.
Funny how a bit of running advice from Runner's World translates into a real world application. I hope some motivational speaker out there has taken this nugget of wisdom and tucked it into a book or used it in a speech to inspire people.
Everyone should train on hills...at least once in a while.
Training on hills is a must if you want to build strength, power and endurance. It's not easy - quite the contrary. Hills make your legs burn, your breathing heavy, your body exhausted. But, what a feeling of accomplishment when you've made it to the top.
As I was running, I was thinking. If you don't "run the hills" in life, you never really can know what you are truly made of.
I've had a lot of hills over the past several months, but I keep running. It's painful. It challenges my will-power. The burn sometimes gets the best of me and I slow my pace. But I keep going.
Funny how a bit of running advice from Runner's World translates into a real world application. I hope some motivational speaker out there has taken this nugget of wisdom and tucked it into a book or used it in a speech to inspire people.
Everyone should train on hills...at least once in a while.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Clear
Tonight I ran. It was the first time in several weeks that I have been able to run and clear my mind doing it. I've been battling a number of mental obstacles and where I once found running to be a haven, I've lately found it to be a means by which I further entrench myself in sorrow, anguish.
It was different tonight. I focused only on the music I was listening to. The pace at which I was running. The calorie counter ticking up with each stride that was being made. It was productive, both physically and mentally.
It was invigorating to be able to find my release again.
It was different tonight. I focused only on the music I was listening to. The pace at which I was running. The calorie counter ticking up with each stride that was being made. It was productive, both physically and mentally.
It was invigorating to be able to find my release again.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sucking Wind
There's no worse feeling than trying to keep up with your breathing while running. I got to experience this yesterday when I decided to brave the "dreadmill" again.
I took a week off while I was sick. Good for my body and bad for my training.
I'm back on the horse--hopefully I don't get bucked off!
I took a week off while I was sick. Good for my body and bad for my training.
I'm back on the horse--hopefully I don't get bucked off!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Forrest Gump
When Forrest Gump hit the theaters, I was all over it. I loved the movie. When it came out on VHS (yes, that's right, VHS) I bought it. Couldn't get enough of it.
Run Forrest Run! One of my favorite movie lines...have used it over and over again. Usually in jest.
Every time I hit the pavement or the treadmill I think to myself "Run Forrest Run." I was not always a runner. In fact I loathed running. Sprints, suicides, laps--I detested it all. I was an athlete, a jock, but not a runner. Now I find it to be therapeutic. A stress release. A way to stay nimble.
The inspiration for my running was my friend Shannon. As we were chatting at work about an upcoming 10k race, she suggested that I run it. At first I had my reservations--fear really--that I wouldn't be able to do it. But, I like a challenge more than I like perfection (or so I thought) so I accepted. To ensure that I would go through with it I registered us. Now we were locked in.
The mystery for me was training. How would I (the non-runner) train for this 6.2 mile race? I hopped online and found a host of training regimens at my fingertips. I bookmarked the one that I liked best and set my course.
In short, I ran it. I finished it. It was hard. My time sucked.
I'm a perfectionist. As much as I wish it weren't so, it's true. While I kept telling myself (and everyone else) that my goal was only to finish, I really wanted to finish at or under 10 minutes / mile. When it was all said and done my time was 11 minutes / mile and I was less than thrilled. To console my ego, I told myself, "it was a grueling course" (and trust me, it was!) "it was my first race," "I only trained for 5 weeks prior to the race." All of these things were true. So, why couldn't I just be happy that I finished? I let my obsession with perfection get in the way of the satisfaction of conquering something that I never dreamed of doing.
I no longer run against myself. I run for myself. For the satisfaction of knowing that I run because I can. For all of the same reasons that Forrest Gump liked running.
Run Forrest Run! One of my favorite movie lines...have used it over and over again. Usually in jest.
Every time I hit the pavement or the treadmill I think to myself "Run Forrest Run." I was not always a runner. In fact I loathed running. Sprints, suicides, laps--I detested it all. I was an athlete, a jock, but not a runner. Now I find it to be therapeutic. A stress release. A way to stay nimble.
The inspiration for my running was my friend Shannon. As we were chatting at work about an upcoming 10k race, she suggested that I run it. At first I had my reservations--fear really--that I wouldn't be able to do it. But, I like a challenge more than I like perfection (or so I thought) so I accepted. To ensure that I would go through with it I registered us. Now we were locked in.
The mystery for me was training. How would I (the non-runner) train for this 6.2 mile race? I hopped online and found a host of training regimens at my fingertips. I bookmarked the one that I liked best and set my course.
In short, I ran it. I finished it. It was hard. My time sucked.
I'm a perfectionist. As much as I wish it weren't so, it's true. While I kept telling myself (and everyone else) that my goal was only to finish, I really wanted to finish at or under 10 minutes / mile. When it was all said and done my time was 11 minutes / mile and I was less than thrilled. To console my ego, I told myself, "it was a grueling course" (and trust me, it was!) "it was my first race," "I only trained for 5 weeks prior to the race." All of these things were true. So, why couldn't I just be happy that I finished? I let my obsession with perfection get in the way of the satisfaction of conquering something that I never dreamed of doing.
I no longer run against myself. I run for myself. For the satisfaction of knowing that I run because I can. For all of the same reasons that Forrest Gump liked running.
“I always loved running…it was something that you do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, as fast or slow as you wanted, fighting if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” Jesse Owens
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