One of my goals for 2011 was to run 1000 miles. This was my third year running to make this goal and I've finally accomplished it.
Goal accomplishment...it's a little strange. Like Maya Angelou says in the quote in my headline Achievement is it's own anticlimax. I accomplished this goal, at least through my perception, very little effort or even focus. It's so weird. Basically, I just kept running, because everyday, I set a distance to run, and then I just did it.
Recently I was sharing my run-log with a fellow amateur athlete (AW) and she asked me, "how do you punish yourself in this log when you get lazy and skip runs? What you write in your journal?"
Now, admittedly, I skip runs. Mostly due to travel or some work nonsense. But as I flipped through those journal entries, indeed those types of days happened, but I only had one day marked 'lazy, no running.' One day out of more than 200. I know all the days I squeeze out a run, I don't really want to do it, but I somehow make it happen. I know that when someone asks me, "how was your run?" I often utter the words "well, it's done now." There are many, many times I simply do not feel like running and seriously do not want to put one foot in front of the other. But I reckon that the fact is that some how running cleanses me and offers some sort of cure for what ails. I have a keychain which reads, "running is cheaper than therapy." I'm not sure if this is true, but it's certainly reliable, if you can make yourself get out there. As I said before, running is my friend and believe that I'm not a 'good runner' because I'm 'me,' but I am a 'good me' because I'm a runner.
It seems so weird, to me, that I crossed the 1000 mile mark, actually, the 1003.96 mark on a very non-special run, on a non-special day. It was a typical Friday four-miler and it wasn't until I logged them into my running journal did I realize I had even accomplished the goal. I fully expected to have to come up with some kind of ridiculous running schedule in December to make it across the 1000-mile finish line. I didn't expect for it to happen while I wasn't paying attention. I guess that's what makes it seem anti-climatic, but I am quite happy none-the-less. I even bought myself some fancy spa treatments to celebrate!
I would be remiss to leave out my running partners have really helped me, so a special thanks to Mighty Mouse and the K-Turn-Kid. I know each of you had your own goals, but unwittingly you helped me accomplish mine and almost more than two months early! Thanks guys!
Next up on the goal list is a Run for Kathleen. This is going to happen on Saturday, so look forward to that race report, it's a 5k. I can't even remember what a respectable time is for that short of a distance.
I still haven't made a decision about a Springtime marathon. I'm not even sure if I'm going to run one, I may just hang up my marathon shoes. We will see.
In Summation: Goal Accomplishment=A Little Surreal; Celebratory Spa Treatments=Fantastic; Running Partners=Ace; 1000 Miles in 2011=First Good Thing So Far for the Year; Faith in Mankind=At the Bottom of Charity Bin with a Pair of Old Running Shoes
I find that when I'm much more motivated when I'm committed to running an event. I signed up for three 5Ks this fall and find I'm much more committed to the run now that I have money invested in those events.
ReplyDeleteI want to explore a half next year, but am pretty happy with 5Ks right now. While I've thought about the challenge of a full as a one-time deal, I'm not sure I could committ to preparring for a couple a year. Seems like the body would take quite a beating.
Keep pressing Melliss!