The question will always be, what kind of runner are you? A pace monster or a naked runner?
Some Numbers:
- {1:20} my latest 400m repeat time
- {9:50} pace/mile of my first marathon
- {8:12} pace/mile of my latest marathon
- {7:55} pace/mile of my fastest half marathon
- {14:41} pace/mile of the last race I ran during pregnancy, a 4 miler
- {6:25} fastest timed mile on record
- {26:08} finish time of my first ever race, a 5K
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What was in my heart:
Ran with good friends. Smile on my face and speed in my tired legs because I loved every second of it. I didn’t look at a Garmin once.
Ran completely by heart, no time, no pacer, no goals other than to finish. It was a roller coaster of emotions. Joy, fear, pain, exhaustion, pride. When I was finished, I didn’t even look at my time, I only saw the faces of my loved ones and collapsed into their arms.
Ran by pace, glanced at my watch almost every mile until miles 21-26.2 when the amazing Katherine took the reigns and pushed me to the finish. I missed my Boston Goal by 10 seconds and although it was a 13 minute PR it will forever be the race that I missed my BQ by 10 seconds.
Ran by feel, pushed myself to a new limit of racing. I felt the wall and I pushed through it. I glanced at my watch but I didn’t have a pace that I was trying to keep so it didn’t mean much. I loved every second of this race, I loved the pain, I loved the fact that I didn’t have expectations and that I chose with my heart to run fast.
I walk/ran this race. I was 6 1/2 months pregnant with the twins, it was July and super hot. Next to me was the best RB in the world making sure that no one bumped me. This was the last race I needed to participate in for the 9+1 program and entry to the 2011 NYC Marathon. I will always be proudest of this race, it was pure heart.
2012 5th Avenue Mile race with NYRR. I wanted a fast time, but I never looked at my watch I just gave it everything I had.
This was the day I learned I had a competitive side. Not only did I run way faster than I ever had before I also needed to beat everyone that I came to the race with. I had no idea what a Garmin was.
I say why should we have to chose? Can’t the love of running and the need for speed just get along? In my world they do.
The Doctrine of My Run
Focus on your love of the run – the times will follow.Learn your body, your breath and the feel of the ground underneath you. Your true pace will always be when all of these things are in harmonyPush yourself on speed workouts, look at your watch obsessively and analyze your splits. When race day comes – Trust. That. Training.Slow down for your friends if you need to, speed up to run with the fast kids. Relish the camaraderie of other runners.Use your watch to understand yourself as a runner, learn from those splits. What is too fast? When is it too easy? What pace is just fun? What pace is pure pain?Lastly, listen to your heart and your body always. Run how you want to run and never ever limit yourself with a pace
What is the doctrine of your run?
LOVE this post.
I drew out this little pyramid earlier this year that reminds me of this…http://thethinksicanthink.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/airplane-epiphanies-there-is-no-timeline/ — it is not so eloquently stated as yours!
Anyways, my whole “mission statement” or “doctrine” or whatever you want to call it is, briefly, “to chase joy” — whatever that may be — times, running with friends, sanity…
Beautiful post.
Meggie recently posted..I Wish I Were As Cool As Jennifer Lawrence
“Train with fervor and enthusiasm” I love that!
Gia, I got a couple little goosebumps when I read this post, very beautiful.
“Focus on the love of the run, the times will follow.” This is one of my most important running mantras/doctrines. I run because I love it. I do it because it makes me feel alive, whole, and complete. I run all the time, and I do look at numbers (because I’m always going to be a numbers person to some degree, I’m wired that way) but I race infrequently. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate racing, it’s just not the reason why I run. Successful racing for me is a fun side effect of all heart and miles that I put into running!
I loved running the last few miles of the Richmond Marathon with you, what an insanely bittersweet moment in time.
Katherine @ Neon Blonde Runner recently posted..5 Friday Favorites
Aw thanks Katherine! I find myself wishing that you were going to be there in LA as well! I told my husband that he needs to get as fast as you so he can pace me! And I totally agree, successful racing is a fun side effect of the heart!
Gia! I can’t believe I haven’t commented in so long – ugh! I even changed my blog title and the old one popped up in the comment box. Shame. Shame.
What a lovely post – I loved reading it! I think I’m in the middle – I LOVE to run – it’s freeing, it’s stress relieving, it’s calming, it’s girl-talk time, it’s outside time, it’s FUN. I truly believe that if you follow the love of the run the times will follow. I may be one of those weirdos that doesn’t race purely for time but for the awesome camaraderie of being around friends and fellow runners, and the rush at the end after an accomplished morning – sometimes a PR, sometimes not
That being said – I hope you CRUSH your marathon goals!!
Kristine recently posted..This Happened: I’m a Morning Person.
Kristine! Hi Lady
You are so not a weirdo, I think its those of us who just love running who will still be racing in our old age!
I LOVED reading this post and your doctrine. Having a running doctrine is a great idea
The part that really spoke to me was this: “Slow down for your friends if you need to, speed up to run with the fast kids. Relish the camaraderie of other runners.” There is so much joy from running with others. I’ve found that training smart to race stronger is key. Being smart. Doing what is best for your body. And never forgetting why running makes you happy while still seeing what you’re capable of. There is nothing quite so complex and yet so simple as running. Good luck with your training this week!
Jesica @rUnladylike recently posted..The Journey to 26.2: A Runner’s First Marathon Experience
Well said! I think that its the complexity that keeps us going back to this simply wonderful exercise … but at the end of the day when you share it with others, running is always better.
Oh Gia, I’m hurting for you. Training for months, and pushing yourself as hard as you could only to come up 10 seconds short – what a hard thing to process! Yet process it you did, and you are SO right to feel proud, and happy. Also, you should know that you are totally a motivation to me! My fastest half marathon PR was exactly the same as yours, and because you decided to try it (with two kids, which I also have), I’m also going to run a marathon this fall and try to BQ. So, way to go! You’re AWESOME!
Sarah recently posted..3/1/13
Sarah! that is amazing. Good luck! What marathon did you pick to run?
Thanks. We’ll see how it goes. We’re moving to Michigan this summer, so I’m planning to run the Grand Rapids Marathon. It’s flat, fast, and I can train on the course, which I’m hoping will give me an advantage. I’m hoping to qualify this year, but next year I change age brackets, and I can always give it another go and try to qualify with a 3:40 time next year.
Sarah recently posted..3/1/13
I have heard good things about that marathon! Good Luck!
Love the doctrine. Those are some great words to run by!