Whenever I get race results back -- no matter the distance, the number of racers, the location of the race, or other factors -- I am always smack dab in the middle. Take the Ft Lauderdale HM, which I ran this past Sunday: I finished 62 out of 117 in my age group (which places me right in the 50% range), and I finished 786 overall when there were about 1600 participants.
It's even obvious to me as I'm running a race that I'm in the middle. How? Because in front me there are people as far as I can see, and behind me? Same damn thing.
So, I guess if I were being graded as a runner, I'd receive a "C." Huh. I was always an "A" student, and even though I've always felt pretty comfortable with my "average" running performance, looking at it this way provides me with a new competitive outlook. Dammit, I wanna have a 4.0 running average! I wanna "ace" the race! I wanna be race valedictorian!
What does it require to be this runner? More speedwork? Done. More time on the road running? Done. An inner will to win? Done. Drink less and eat better? Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's not talk crazy.
*BTW, as I was checking the results for the Ft. Lauderdale HM this morning, I realized that I reported my chip time wrong. I actually finished in 2:09:42 -- one second faster than I reported! So I actually shaved 3 seconds off my HM PR! Yeah, at this rate, I'll be at the front of the pack....ugh, never.
18 comments:
I'm the same way you are..
But, I've resigned myself to the fact that since I was never really much of an athlete, it's going to be near impossible to become one now.
I'm not about to become a gym rat, working out 10 hours a day or anything, so there's only so much I can do.
Let me know if you figure out the secret, though. :)
Yeah up the speedwork baby. I hate that shiz so it's highly unlikely that I'll be anything other than average LMAO! I'm Ok with that. I've always been a middle of the road kinda gal anyway hehe.
"I was always an "A" student..."
NERD!!! Ha Ha!
I'm a back-of-the-packer so middle-of-the-pack seems pretty sweet to me!
Being in the middle is my dream!
I would like to pull my running grade from failing to at least passing. Ha! I guess I have actually do it first.
You're one in a million baby. But don't let it get to your head. You're graded on a curve.
Givin' up good food and booze? I'm not sure ANYTHING is worth that!!@ ha ha.
Think about it this way. You may be in the middle of the running pack but you are WAYYYY ahead of the 99% of lazy peeps who are laying on thier couch as you run!
You should just be happy you can run that far without dying or puking. Go you!
Plus, I once ran a 5K that gave the prize money to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the person who came in at exact the middle. THAT COULD BE YOU!
Being a C student would have made my parents proud. At least my running is consistent with my academic achievments in school. Barely passing...
Keep enjoying life which means booze and food, you will keep working your way to the top.
Being average isn't so bad (please say it isn't 'cause that's where I run as well LOL)
Well in a three person race you'd at least come second...that's better than third!
No shame in the middle of the pack. :) And this way, we still get to enjoy the good stuff. :)
Sweet that you took another second off your PR! Yahoo!
It's better than being a "back of the packer," chin up, your faster than me.
Lisa and I are behind you all the way.
:)
I have been happy to get close to the middle before in running.
Middle of the pack is good!
All the cool kids are C students.
I'm reading the book, "Talent is Overrated". I'll let you know what the answer is in a week or so :-)
A plauteau huh? I think working on speed work will help most, becaus eyou need to increase the rate at which you turn over (you have the endurance bit down already).
Post a Comment