It was a long, cold winter. Many of us grew to hate our treadmills. Others took extended breaks from running. Whatever your story, it's time to return to the #runteacherrun fold! Spring is here and summer break is right around the corner for many. We welcome you back to running with open arms!
Last weekend I ran in the Indy 500 Mini-Marathon. Strangely enough, it was my first extended race since my January marathon of 2013. (Okay, there was that Jingle Bell run in December 2013...my 5K return to running after being released by the doctor!)
 |
| runners on the Indianapolis 500 Track |
I trained some for this half marathon, but not to the intensity that I have in the past. I didn't follow a training plan. I ran sporadically. If I didn't feel like running, I didn't. Guess what? It showed in my finish time! It was my slowest half marathon ever. Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful that I was able to RUN 13.1 miles after foot surgery only 8 months ago.
My 8 year old son asked me the night before the race if I was going to win. I told him there was absolutely no way I would win the race, but I would definitely finish. His words of wisdom:
Every time you make it to the finish line you win.
Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
So, I celebrate my finish but I'm also reminded that with running (and life in general), you get out of it what you put into it. Yes, I can embrace every single finish line as a success but if I am in search of a faster finish time, I'll have to work for it. It won't just happen by chance. To be a faster runner, I have to train! I'll need to do that dreaded speed work on a regular basis. I'll need to be consistent with my running and push myself. Will it be uncomfortable? Absolutely! Will it hurt at times? Probably! But setting a goal and working toward it is never a bad thing. It's time to step out of my comfort zone and get to work.
It's time to #runTeacherrun!
(Look out fall half marathons...I'm looking for a PR!)
