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:
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!" ;)
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.
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!
Wait - we're not supposed to stop until we're done?
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! : )
After so many months on hiatus, 4 miles in 38 minutes sounds fabulous!
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)!
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
I haven't run 4 miles in a while, with or without stopping. Good job!
It's funny how easy it is to forget about our own achievements. Cheers!
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