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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Perception

Yesterday, I was at the gym getting my miles in, and when I finished my 4 miles, I was wiping down the treadmill when the guy next to me said, "I can't believe you can run for 38 minutes without stopping!  That's amazing."

It made me chuckle since, to many runners, running A.) 4 miles isn't much, B.) 4 miles in 38 minutes isn't fast, and C.) without taking break is kinda expected.  But, that's why, as I walked out to my car, his comment felt meaningful.

It's so easy, as a runner, to look at what everyone else is doing not appreciate what I am capable of.  Running 4 miles in 38 minutes is not impressive to some, but to others?  It is.

So, inadvertently, his flattering comment helped me pause and be grateful for being in such good health that I can run, every day, and not think of it as anything particularly remarkable.  That's a luxury.

10 comments:

Elizabeth said...

So true. I know it's cheesy, but I always think to myself when it feels I'm not doing much, "at least I'm lapping everyone on the couch!" ;)

Carolina John said...

That is pretty great! I really lose that same perspective when in the middle of ironman training. Distance and speed become completely relative to the last workout that felt good, there is no comparing to what someone else did or is capable of doing.

I also ran 4 miles on the treadmill last night in 38 minutes. What a strange coincidence.

I also keep reminding myself that there is always a bigger fish in the sea, so I might be the bigger fish to someone else. Just because I'm not running 50 mile weeks at a 6 minute average pace like my friend Ryan is, doesn't mean that someone won't be dually impressed with my 30 mile weeks at an 8 minute pace.

Krissy said...

Hey there!
I don't get to catch up on your blog as much as I used to but I had sometime and was so excited to see you are still trucking on your running streak ! That is amazing.

And yes it's all about perception. Even a run on our worst days is more than some others a willing to do!

Anonymous said...

Wait - we're not supposed to stop until we're done?

Cali Family said...

What a great comment for him to make to put it all in perspective. I hope to one day get back to running 4 miles. Not to mention doing it in under 38 minutes. The fact that you run every day is a GIFT. Be proud! : )

Crissy Rae said...

After so many months on hiatus, 4 miles in 38 minutes sounds fabulous!

Julie D said...

It's true! I'm up at 5:15 in the mornings just to fit in around 3.5 miles before work, and at this point, I'm pretty proud of the effort no matter how little it seems to other runners (or even my past self)!

Robyn said...

After struggling with bad running for the last couple months (turned out to be iron deficiency anemia), I am trying to approach every run nonjudgmentally and with gratitude. (Some days it's easier than others!)
http://thesethingshappentootherpeople.blogspot.com/2013/09/run-funk-explained.html

Unknown said...

I haven't run 4 miles in a while, with or without stopping. Good job!

B. Kramer said...

It's funny how easy it is to forget about our own achievements. Cheers!