Fast. Slow. Elite. Turtle.
RUNNER. I am part of a few different running communities on social media and I am seeing a lot of the "pace debate" and people questioning if they are a "real" runner because of the speed of their mile... I used to be one of them. The simple fact is, if you run, you ARE a runner. It does not matter if you run a 2 hour marathon or a 20 min mile, whether you run the whole race or if you walk/run the race, you ARE a runner. There are no tests to pass, or degrees to earn to show that you are "real" runner. Some people run for the joy of running, some like to run in organized races. Do not let anyone steal your joy of running by allowing you to question your accomplishments. You are out there for you. Yes, some runners are out there for the competition, and they amaze me. I am truly in awe of the speedsters that get out there and run like a gazelle with what appears to be no effort. However, I do not let the fact that they are gazelles take away from my accomplishment as a turtle. We still finish the same mileage. We are running the SAME race, just a different pace, one is not necessarily "right", they are just OURS. Mine is mine and theirs is theirs, and on the next race, we try to do better than before. I have seen posts that stated a 2:20 Half was slow... no, a 2:20 Half is GREAT! Everyone has goals, everyone has something they want to achieve, some want that coveted BQ (Boston Qualifier), some want to run a Half in under 2 hours, some want to run a Half in under 3 hours (THIS GIRL) and SOME just want to be able to WALK a mile. You never know who you could be inspiring with YOUR running!! I suppose the point of this blog is simply this, you never know the story of the person posting in social media. Try to remember where you came from and where you want to be. Remember that everyone, all of us, had to start by making the decision to lace up and get out there. It is not an easy thing to do, and sometimes it's an even harder thing to CONTINUE to do. You never know what is happening in someone's life, so be kind, be positive, and encourage each other because that is what we do. We are runners. Fast. Slow. Elite. Turtle. RUNNERS.
3 Comments
Andrea
3/9/2017 09:47:18 am
On point!!
Reply
Fantastic! We have to be careful when we put our own "pace" down. We might be hurting the feelings of someone who'd love to run our pace, what ever it is.
Reply
3/9/2017 02:37:33 pm
So true. Every day I also see these comments. It used to be me...but, with people like you posting this very same thing, I learned...My Race, My Pace...Finish Lines, NOT Finish Times...
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorThis is the story of me... a Back of the Pack runner that started this journey a few years ago then lost her way. I am starting over and you are invited along for the ride! The highs, lows, wins and lessons, and most likely some venting!! Welcome!! Archives
May 2017
Categories |