The Race

I was asked an interesting question last night about my running.

"Why do you race?"

It was followed up with things like "the training schedule would drive me nuts", "why not just run?"

I've been thinking about it this morning (as I slept late and skipped my long run again).

I like some structure - so training schedules are typically good for me. It gives me something to strive for. That's also partially why I race - to give myself a goal. This is especially useful for someone who was never a runner before. I sometimes need to prove to myself that I can do it.

But the more I think about it, the more I keep coming back to the running culture. It's about being around people that get what you're going through - the struggles, the triumphs and the support.

I am always in awe at the running community, particularly at races. There are so many of the fast runners that stick around and cheer on us slow runners to the finish. Theres always such a happy, festive atmosphere.

So I would say that I run for many reasons - fun, goals, bling, comraderie, health, structure, being introduced to new courses/areas.

Why do you run races?

Around the Country...

Most days, I have squirrel syndrome. I should be doing one thing, and 18 other things pop up in my head.

This happens most ridiculously when I have to write a paper or do homework. My brain hops around from topic to topic. I get a lot of dishes and cleaning done. I end up booking hotel rooms for early 2015. I actually did this on Monday for the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans race in January 2015.

But this week, not only did I book the hotel room, I started to look into a 2015 Team in Training race. In Alaska. You see, comparatively to others, I haven't traveled a lot. I haven't take many vacations and I think it's about time that changes.

What better way to marry running and traveling?

So, I have put together a spreadsheet of all 50 states, plus D.C. My goal is to run at least one long distance race in each US state. 

So far, I've got Michigan (duh) and Washington, D.C. I am scheduled for a race in Florida in November. And, I suppose I will be running to and from Canada in October, eh?

What I ask is this - wanna go on a trip? I'm happy to have travel companions!

Sometimes, you just have to get by...

Over the weekend, something popped into my head that I was finally able to think about. You see, I've been just getting by. Doing the absolute minimum, making excuses for doing so, being tired, etc.

Yup, I've been lazy. I'm sure I'll get push back from that. Obviously, it's relative. In some ways, it's not exactly lazy, but prioritizing things differently. Unfortunately, it's also gotten to the point of prioritizing being lazy over most other things.

I've just been working on getting by. It's incredible how quickly things happen: junk piles up in various places, due dates come up, weight piles on, running ability is gone, etc. But to get those things back to normal it takes time. Things can be ripped away so quickly, but it takes time to build things back up.

I started thinking about this because it's been a theme in work, school and life for me this year. I was reminded that we place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. 

I've been thinking things like:

1) Why can't I run 11:30/mile anymore?

2) This paper should be so much easier than it is.

3) I really should be much further along in X, Y and Z.

4) Wait, there's only one of me and I can only do so much...

It seems the puzzle is finally coming together for me. I've had a productive few days, and I hope it continues. I have had to remind myself that I cannot get the 8,000 things on my to do lists done today, this week, or this month. 

I see a picture in my head of a skyscraper, half built. While we can't come to a halt on things, but we also need to be realistic with what we can do and how long the bigger picture takes to get to.

It seems like today, people are expected to do so much more and be everything to everyone at all times. It's not realistic, and I've been reminded of this recently. And what I take from that is that when we don't allow ourselves and others to hold us to unrealistic expectations, we're happier and more productive.