Running and Its Lessons

For the past few weeks I have been working really hard on my training for my 5K’s. For the last few weeks my times improved and I have been taking 2-3 minutes off my time. A minute may not seem like a lot but believe me when you’re crossing that finish line even a second less is pure glory! So on Saturday I was very excited and ready to do my September 5K which was the 9/11 Heroes Run benefiting the Travis Manion Foundation. I had done it last year and let’s just say that it was pathetic how awful I did, but in my defense I had not trained at all and I was in horrible shape. So this year with my running time improving and having been running for a while I was ready to conquer this race. I got to the park and thought it would be all flat and well it wasn’t, it was more of a trail run which was something I was not expecting nor prepared for. My main problem while running is controlling my breathing but I was doing great and was on a roll but half way through it I looked back and it was all downhill from there. Everything that could come into my head came; “You’re way behind everyone; you’re going to be last, Just walk.” I knew I wasn’t tired and my breathing was great but for some reason I could not get my body to go. I thankfully got my second wind and finished the race. My time was better than last year for sure but I did not improve my time as I had expected. Well if you thought I was having negative thoughts during the race you should’ve heard everything that poured into my head all at once then. Today I was just trying to figure out what I could do to improve and really “What happened?” type of conversation, and then I read an article by Lauren Fleshman. One, I was not too excited to hear what she had to say since Lauren is the ultimate love of my ex, the “I want to marry her and have her babies” kind of love. I was like “Really? Pour salt on my wound why don’t you!” haha But she talked about how not only is it important for a runner to prepare themselves physically but mentally too. Lauren talked about how in 2007 she was training for her 4th USA Championship in the 5K as a professional runner and she just froze. She talked about how she became so consumed by fear and even though she was doing great and was in the lead she stopped and walked the half mile she had left. Lauren goes on to explain how we must prepare mentally because even if we are in our best shape if we are not in our best shape mentally we will not improve. I have to admit I was so glad I read that article because even though I am nowhere near Laurens level I felt the same way on Saturday, I was scared. It also made me think how we carry the same mentality into our personal lives too. Getting back in shape and eating healthier has truly been a journey and it continues to be and there are days when you slip and you eat that piece of pie when an apple would’ve been a better choice instead. But then you feel like “Oh my whole diet is ruined! I might as well just have that ice-cream while I’m at it.” And heaven help us if this happens mid-week because for some reason we think we can only start a diet on a Monday. As if any other day of the week is not as good to do so. I was reminded that I did not gain my weight overnight but that it was something that took time as well. The lesson I learned is that it will also take time for me to retrain my mind just like my body to be healthy and think positive.

So yes, I froze on Saturday and didn’t do as well as I hoped but I am better for it today. I now have the challenge to continue to improve my times and do better on my race for October. This race is done and there is nothing I can do about it anymore, my time will remain the same and no matter what I say or do. What I can do is learn from it. The lesson I learned from Saturday’s race was “Never look back” whether it’s in a race or in life. We will all make mistakes and wish there were things we did different or wonder “Am I the last one?” But our focus should be the finish line. We weren’t sent here to fail, we will fall and sometime come in last but we will finish and be better for it.