Happy Runniversary!
Turns out I ran 4.8 miles along the path along with an additional 1.5 through the city (first .75 was a run/walk, the return home .75 was walked because my piriformis and tailbone were KILLING ME).
While out there, I thought about how I started out running a mile just over 14 minutes. Now I've clocked an 11 minute timed mile. I've shaved over 3 minutes on my 5k time. I've gone from never having run a mile since high school to finishing a marathon. I'm on my fourth pair of shoes. I can't imagine how many packets of Gu I've sucked down. My blood pressure has dropped dramatically. And I don't think I own any more than 4 pairs of regular white cotton socks (hooray for Wigwam).
Running does strange to ones self. For me it's been a love hate relationship. I won't lie. Most days, I hate running. But once I'm out there, I absolutely love it (...eeehhhhhhh...usually, not always).
So here you have it folks, things I've learned about running...and myself...over the past year...
I suck at running. And I'm okay with that. But 365 days later I'm still putting one foot in front of the other and that's what matters, right?
Just because I ran 16 miles I am not entitled to indulge in copious amounts of pizza, ice cream, beer, chocolate, mac & cheese, McDonalds, carrot cake (OH GAWD, Do I looooooooooove Carrot Cake!!!!!!), chicken fingers, bagel sandwiches and root beer floats. Because I can and I'm scheduled to run that distance, I should really focus more on eating healthier...
No matter how much I run...I still need to shed at least 2 dozen pounds off of my chunky self. Bah! I guess I should work on the aforementioned dietary lesson? And how the hell did I gain weight during my first marathon?! Seriously. That wasn't anywhere in the fine print. And don't go tellin' me that it's all muscle...I'm not that dumb.
Forget about the competition...running is a solo sport. The only competitor is myself. Some days I win...and others I lose.
Good runners = part genetics, part raw talent, part heart and part determination. Just because I only have 50% of this doesn't mean I'm not "good"...and I'm not talking about my chromosomes of 'Pre' tendencies...cause that's certainly not in my cards (and yes...I know I said I sucked at running earlier...but you can be sucky and good at the same time...oh yes, you can!!)
The best part about running is that all you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other...you eventually have to hit your destination, whether you like it or not.
It's not so bad at the back of the pack. Someone's gotta be there...why not me? I prefer to take my time and enjoy the scenery on my runs. Nothing wrong with that!
I've still not yet experienced that "runners high" that everyone brags so much about. :sigh: One day....
You can be a runner and not have anything remotely close to a runner's body.
I may not cross the finish line first...but I've certainly won the race.
So...Happy Runniversary to me!!
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 9:40 PM
21 Camper Comments:
Happy Runniversary! You have accomplished so much in a year's time (some of what has taken me 5 years to accomplish). Congrats and keep putting one foot in front of the other! That runner's high will come in due time...
oh, and carrot cake rocks!
you've only been running for one year!?!?!? i had no idea!!! you totally rock JHawk. and don't you dare write you are a bad runner. i refuse to read it! i am super proud of you!!
yeah for you!! happy runniversary!
here here happy runniversary to you Jayhawk. Great post! :)
Happy runniversary! I read that lots of runners gain weight while training for a marathon because of the same thinking you mentioned: "I'm running a marathon, I can eat whatever I want." It's possible, supposedly, to lose about 15lbs while training, but most end up gaining 15lbs while training!
happy runniversary to you,
happy runniversary to you,
happy runniversary running jayhawk,
you have big bird shoes.
(sorry, that's the best i could think of at 2:45 in the afternoon.) congrats on the year, its amazing what all you've accomplished in that short time. keep it up, hopefully LOTS more runniversarys in your future.
and when better to indulge in a little carrot cake than on this special day?
OMG! I completely forgot my Runnversary, which was July 23rd for me. I am SO bad! tee-hee! Have you read the Runner's World artice on weight loss? It's a good one.
Oh, great post! Happy runniversary! You've accomplished and learned a lot about yourself and running in the past year! Way to go!
Happy Runniversary! Way to go Running Jawhawk. Awesome, touching post. And I could cut and paste it into my blog and most of it would be 100% accurate for me too. I'd be honored to keep you company at the back of the pack any day! Did you have to mention carrot cake!?!? I LOVE carrot cake and have been craving it lately, so far I've been resisting, but it hasn't been easy. You aren't helping! :)
Running is a solo sport? Really then why am I so damn competitive??
Good for you honey on the one year!!
Happy Runniversary, Jayhawk!
And congratulations on the best runner blog on the Internet. Your regular postings continue to keep me inspired.
Awesome post. And, happy Runniversary.
I still think you can indulge every once in awhile - its allowed. This is from a girl that also gained weight while training for her first marathon and needs to lose 15 pounds to fit into the wedding dress of my dreams I plan on getting early next year.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other and I'm sure you'll be at pre speed soon enough.
Happy Runniversary Indeed! You have a lot to be proud of and I too have gained weight despite all the running that I do. Sometimes I just don't get it.
I had to crack up over your use of "copious." One of my professors likes to tell us all the things we should be doing in our copious amount of free time.
Happy Runniversary. We are similar runners and people I think. I love my bad food, but have that weight to shed, so off running I go.
Happy Runniversary Jayhawk. Runner's high?? Oh, add beer and it will come.
absoLUTEly happy runniversary. and i'm with you on.. well..
every single one of those lessons you've learned!!
go back of the packers. we rule!
What a wonderful post. You make me feel not alone, yet at the same glory and revel in the aloneness of running! And best of all, you're honest and unashamed about not being elite...just being you. Far, far more people (including me!) can relate to you than to the ultracompetitive runners out there. Thanks so much for writing this! And congrats on your first anniversary. Hope you keep blogging--you're an inspirationg! ~Steffany
What a great post. Have a wonderful celebration with yourself!
5,000 (wsometimes more, sometimes less) runners to a road race. How could everybody be elite? That's really kind of the beauty of the sport. People talk about the atmosphere of watching a soccer match or a baseball game or whatever. In road racing, the athlete creates the atmosphere, not the fan. I miss that swarm of people. I miss the joy of just being out there. Happy Runniversary.
Happy Runniversary captain!! I had no idea you hadn't been running for years and year! You've accomplished a ton in a year, just imagine where you will be on your 2nd anniversary!
I can't wait to rock out the relay when we're 90 and have been running for 70 years! We will be rocket ships.
I love runniversaries!
Yes, I get how you can be good at sucky running - I am too.
Belated wishes of happiness to you, and keep up the great work!
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