1. I want to say that it's a smart idea to check out the course ahead of time, if possible. If I had I would have known about the tree roots and the sand. I shudder to think of all the self-defeating thoughts I would have had time to conjure. Fretting and worrying is a well preserved talent that makes it way down the paternal side of my genes. I'm hardwired for self-doubt, and so not knowing was my saving grace. I don't have a firm lesson to report back on, but this definitely sent a very clear and strong message to me; I am the only person holding me back.
2. Eat! Maybe when I get faster and going 6.4 miles doesn't take me 1hr27mins I won't need to eat. The time is more important than the distance, and running non-stop for 87 minutes requires refueling. Whether I eat my Shot Bloks or develop a taste for homemade salt covered sugar cubes I need salt and glucose. The alternative is ugly, very very ugly. Worse than running out of fuel, was that I also ran out of happy thoughts. Herein lies the 3rd, and most important, lesson that I learned on Sunday. If I'm not happy then what's the point? We get one chance at this crazy life, and running is supposed to be healthy for me. If I'm not happy then I'm not healthy. I'm not making this stuff up, even Mayo Clinic agrees with me! Simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple.
So, there you have it, solid lessons for life and running. On point. Lesson 1: Maybe check out the course ahead of time, but under no circumstances should that be an indicator of how well you think you will do. Lesson 2: Sugar is our friend! Woohoo! Lesson 3: If you aren't happy then you aren't healthy.
Stay tuned! Coming up next is my first Brooks review!
Number 3 is so very very true. That's been the one thing I've been making sure I do my best to focus on, especially on my less than super awesome days... I'm doing this for me, not for anyone else, and if I stop enjoying it, well then... there's kinda no point anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhich hasn't been too easy, because I am way too competitive.
It's actually kinda sad how competitive I am... I may or may not have once faked a sprained ankle when my husband and I were running together, simply because he was running faster than me. Oops! LOL
Hahahahahaha! We might be long lost friends....
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome lessons and you are gonna rock your next 10k even more! Ps I love that you love dexter. I am obsessed with that show!!!
ReplyDeleteRunning with the group has been so great! I found them through word of mouth, an old colleague had joined. However, most running stores have a list of groups or run group runs out of their stores so I would start there! Every race is a lesson so it sounds like you definitely learned from your 10k.
ReplyDeleteLove your optimism! What it comes down to is that you did it! And you learned something! And if you learn from whatever you do ... well, then you're successful! Good job, Katie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Meg, N.D. and Katie! Your comments and support are definitely helping to make this a success too!
ReplyDeleteIt's true: if you're not happy, you're not healthy. And it what good would one be without the other, anyway? We have to live in our bodies for the rest of our lives. We have to live in our minds, too. It's best for the two to coexist in harmony, but it doesn't happen over night. Both can be altered by sheer force of will, but they must be in close communication with each other. Your attitude will get you to the finish line, but make sure your body is in on the plan every step of the way or your attitude might waver. And I feel like a broken record here... but damn, sister.. I'm about as proud as I can be.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely learning this as I run more and blog more. My running blog is developing to include more topics, such as body image and my inner monologue. It's a continuous process, but I am definitely understand more about myself. Geesh, you couldn't pay me to go back to being a teenager!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE how you said, "If you aren't happy, you aren't healthy." So true. Great tips, too!
ReplyDelete