Tuesday, March 31, 2015

A New Perspective on Perseverance


My word for running this year is perseverance. At the outset, I believed it meant persevering through the hard training it would take to qualify for Boston. It may still mean that, but there's definitely been a twist. 

The flare-up of my tendon toward the end of last year cost me significant speed, and the hamstring injury that plagued me in my last race continues to linger. Not bad enough to keep me from running....but enough to hold me back and make me cautious about doing any kind of speed work that might only further delay returning to 100%. 

How am I supposed to get faster if I can't really train???

I was all psyched up to work hard and really push myself this year. Now it feels like I can't do that. I'm frustrated about the injuries setting me back, but I believe God is faithful and that all things work together for good. 

Perhaps developing the perseverance to keep training--doing what I can, even when I can't do what I want--is more important than developing speed.  (God seems to have a tendency of prioritizing the internal and eternal over the external, physical things!)  So I won't quit. 

I have no idea what this means for Utah Valley in June. 

But that race is in the mountains. God has a history of doing miraculous things on mountains and tells us we can move them with faith of a mustard seed. So we'll see. :)

 

 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Rhythm & Blues Half - Race Recap

Today's race was relatively uneventful and is best summarized by the random thoughts that went through my head:

Wet. 
Hamstring. 
This feels too easy. 
Good girl. 
I get to come down this hill later. 
HR too high. 
Ride this train as long as you can. 
Hamstring. 
You've done this before. 
My friends are at church now. 
Halfway!
Lactate threshold. 
There's my friend Brian!  
Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. 
Check HR at the end of each song. If > 190, walk it down to 185. 
Puddle.
Team RWB!  Eagles up!
Hamstring. 
Encourage other runners. 
Hill.
I could be at church now. 
Pain. 
Light, easy steps. 
Cold. Wind. Rain. 
Hamstring. 
Last hill. 
Feeling a little sick. Just run happy. 
The faster you run, the sooner you're done. 
Why do I do this?
Rejoice in your sufferings. 
Chocolate milk ahead. 
2 more miles. 
Just. Keep. Running. 
Hamstring. 
Finish strong. 
Kick it! 

The best part of today's race was not my race. :)

It was watching my mom finish her first 5K....



...and my friend Brian gut out the half, battling illness and injury.  


I got emotional watching the runners who finished behind me, slogging through the cold and pouring rain. I know how hard that is...and in their own way, these runners show a determination and fortitude that is equally or more impressive as those who have the drive to win.  I am inspired by their perseverance and will take the thought of these runners giving their all forward with me as I strive to find my own personal best.