So, I am back again, looking at my Running Room training plan trying to figure out if I can run a half marathon in May having concentrated more on yoga than cardio for the last 5 months. Also I want to survive it and enjoy it - if that's not too much to ask.
I am someone who doesn't come by running naturally. I find it hard work EVERY time I'm out there pounding the pavement.
I have run 3 halves in Toronto and 2 in Florida - I think - reason #1 as to why I don't consider myself a runner, other runners can tell me definitively about the races they have run.
One problem is that I haven't run over 5km per run (or 0-15km per week) since October - reason #2 as to why I don't consider myself a runner, other runners do upto 15km in a warm up.
As I can be weak willed with running, I have to have an event that I am registered for in order to get motivated to hit the pavement or I just don't do it - reason #3, other runners run because they are motivated by times and events.
I am motivated (this time anyway) by the number on the scale and the fit of my clothes - reason #4, other runners run because they love it!
Now, I'll put this into perspective, when I say "other runners" I'm talking mostly about my husbands running group (notice I refer to them as my "husbands" running group even though they all know me as I've run with them - in the past). When I did run with them I was the runt of the pack - way behind, and doing much shorter distances. Meanwhile at the restaurant afterwards I outperformed everyone with eating as I wolfed down pancakes loaded with berries and sauce while they mostly ate egg whites on almost dry toast - reason #5 me thinks.
This running group is made up of Ultra Runners and Ironmen (hubby being both). They talk about 50 & 100 milers like I talk about a Zumba class - get into your rhythm and all is good.
Even outside of this elite group I come across seemingly ordinary looking women (a lot of long distance runners have "the look"), that blow me away with their sub 4 hour marathon run stories.
My one attempt at a marathon came in at 4hr 42 mins and it hurt A LOT and there were barely any other runners around me - because the vast majority had already finished!!! How?!?
So, I can and do run, but mentally I'm not a "runner". But that is just my perception. Now I have to figure out how I can fit 2 more runs into my already crazy schedule - I'm sure this would be much easier for "a runner".
So, I believe there is a saying in your house, "If you think you can, you are right" and "If you think you can't, you're right too" Perhaps a retrospective look at your self-talk is in order. Everything I read above told me how much you are NOT a runner, and if you're not a runner, then that's ok. The problem arises if you indeed want to be a runner. So...... do you want to be a runner? If the answer is yes, then you have to modify your self talk and beliefs a whole lot.
So........do you want to be a runner????
Posted by: Dianne | March 07, 2013 at 03:15 PM