Earned Runs
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Request Bibs/Contact
  • GEAR LOVE
  • FAQ
  • Starter Checklist
  • RESOURCES*
  • Oh the Places You'll Go!
  • Generosity
  • THE HONOR SERIES
  • BONE STRENGTH FOR ATHLETES
  • About

MOTIVATION FOR SUMMER CHALLENGE III: RACING JOYS

6/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Drive in front of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac island Michigan at dawn. Taken by PKSenagore August 2018. All rights reserved.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T YET COMMITTED TO TAKING ON THE "FASTEST 5K OR SUMMER OF FUN 5KS" SUMMER CHALLENGE III. 

TINA MUIR HAS ADVICE FOR ELITE RUNNERS WHO DO NOT CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE IN PEAK FORM.  THOSE WHO ARE NO LONGER FAST
enough to train and race for a personal record (PR) as they had done in the past. In her article for Podium Runner.com, Muir describes running her first Boston Marathon as a mother with a one-year old daughter, as a former elite who took time off to enjoy experiences not related to sport competition.
 
Although she is NOT addressing the population of ’never-racers’ and pure fun-runners, Muir’s piece can be motivation for this group.  In it she explains why she decided to make an emotional and mental break from the pressures of life as an elite to “enjoy the entire marathon journey”, while ‘just doing her best”.  The experience seems to have been difficult; possibly she continues to struggle with performing as a non-elite.  However, Muir’s story serves as testimony that committing, training, and then completing a race represents a life ‘prize’ that’s worth the effort. She described the non-elite-status experience as empowering.
 
Tina Muir’s race was 26.2 miles. It was the Boston Marathon!
 
From personal experience I know that a newbie racer can set their eyes on a far less ambitious and glorious goal of 3.1 miles, 5K, and be totally thrilled when crossing the finish line.  Whether the accomplishment is achieved by running, jogging, run-walking, or walking, it can be exhilarating. 
 
Last summer, because of a year-long knee issue, I decided to train to walk a 5K that nearly everyone else I know would be running. I had run that race many times for decades with the intent of winning my age/gender group. It was embarrassing to have previously slower friends and acquaintances pass me after the start signal was sounded. But soon enough, I was alone on the road and concerned only with my walking form and breathing.  At about the halfway mark I realized walking a race was as demanding of my mind and body as running; I was aching! The finish was joyous.  Yay for me.
 
I walked another race at Thanksgiving, an 8K Turkey Trot, and this summer my sights are on completing a 5K race, which I will be walk-running.  To avoid injury and keep my knees healthy I’ll likely not ever run continuously when training or racing again, instead  incorporate a few 5-10-minute run segments in each training walk session.  Like Tina Muir I’m delighted to just be doing my best, and able to join in the race fun.
 
If you have not yet decided on a summer challenge, consider the “Fastest 5k or Summer of Fun 5K’s”, the 2019 SUMMER CHALLENGE III. It requires committing to training for one 5K whether walking, run-walking, or running. The joys of racing can come from being fast, as well as working toward a goal to have fun.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
See the Blog post describing 2019 SUMMER CHALLENGE III ; it's also provided on the RESOURCES page, as well as other SUMMER 2019 CHALLENGES

https://www.podiumrunner.com/enjoying-racing-even-if-you-arent-in-pr-shape_177389
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    BRIDGE TO PHYSICAL SELF
    Running, walking, and fitness activities enable us to experience our physical selves in a world mostly accessed through use of fingers on a mobile device.
    Picture
    Finished my first 50K challenge, a virtual but real effort April 6, 2021. Qualifies me as an ultra-marathoner! All rights reserved.

    Author

    EARNED RUNS is edited and authored by me, runner and founder.  I began participating in road races before 5Ks were common. I've been a dietitian, practiced and taught clinical pathology, and been involved with research that utilized pathology.  I am fascinated with understanding the origins of disease as well as health.

    Archives

    September 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015

    Categories

    All
    Greeting
    Image Only

    RSS Feed

    New! Search Box

    Earned Runs is now searchable! Check it out...
EARNED RUNS LLC                                                                                                                                                                                                    Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Request Bibs/Contact
  • GEAR LOVE
  • FAQ
  • Starter Checklist
  • RESOURCES*
  • Oh the Places You'll Go!
  • Generosity
  • THE HONOR SERIES
  • BONE STRENGTH FOR ATHLETES
  • About