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Saturday
May102008
Running out of my comfort zone
We are leaving this afternoon for an overnight in Vermont before running our aimed-for 10k in the morning.
I am kind of nervous.
I'm not sure I'm really a race kinda gal. Years ago, when Lauren showed so much love of {and flair for} swimming, we enrolled her in a swim team. She loved the water, the camaraderie, the gliding through the water. After her first meet I asked "so, what'd you think? Was it great?" She thought for a minute, shrugged, and said "I like the swimming part but why does it have to be about how fast you are?" It made me laugh at the time (it pretty much encapsulates L's approach to many things) but I think I fully know what she meant.
I love the running; but oh, the pressure! Ready, set, go! Now!
Still, it's been great to have something to shoot for. Greg has been much more serious about the training and is completely ready. Meanwhile, I've been banking the miles but at the same time enjoying the scenery, alternating walking and running, feeling better and stronger. Just not necessarily faster.
Truth be told, I'm the one putting the pressure on myself. Who even cares if I walk the whole thing? Nobody. Well, me. And there's the rub. I'm not fond of being a beginner, a novice. Slow. But it's good for me. (Check out this research about the benefits of going outside your comfort zone ["the stretch zone" they call it]. Our brains like it!) And, in this case, I'll get a t-shirt out of it when it's over...
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Reader Comments (10)
Good for you!
Best wishes :)
(And I like to enjoy the scenery too, that's part of the exercise {/therapy} for me...)
I think that is so amazing! I have been wanting to get into running, and I just can't do it. I wish I could! Good luck!!
My husband knows all of them. He said Ike was a grade above him in school.
You go, running girlfriend! It's not about how fast you are, it's just finishing the race (my personal mantra). I can't wait to hear all about it. You will do so good!
Wow! What a way to celebrate Mother's Day. Good for you...enjoy and godspeed!
YEAH! I'll be thinking of you while trudging along my 1/2 marathon tomorrow. I'll be thoroughly enjoying the WHite Mountain scenery as I walk and run at a leisurely pace. I'm suprisingly not nervous...just want it to be over. Good luck-we'll have to compare notes.
Way to go Annie! I will be thinking about you tomorrow as I do my run. Susie
That stretch zone stuff was fascinating. Thanks for the link.
Good luck with your race! I'm going to Vermont someday, but I doubt I will run it.
Can't wait to hear all about it. By now (8 pm your time) you are done and hopefully eating some ice cream to celebrate!
oh i totally feel for you! i LOVE to run, always have. i did a couple of races in college, but when it comes to running, it's hard for me to be competitive. i guess for me, running is more like therapy. as much as i'd love to run a race, i don't know if i ever could. if i did, it would probably have to be totally spontaneous.