Craziness level – it’s all relative
What’s something you do now, that you wouldn’t have fathomed doing before, but it seems completely normal?!
Don’t worry, this question is getting somewhere (I hope) and I do want to read your answer! Really… it’s a chance to brag!
Meghan and I were talking about how she signed up for Ironman Chattanooga (exciting!!!), and how before she signed up, her fear that other people thought she might not be able to do it made it question whether she really could. But she talked to her friends and family for support, looked at her successful training log, and knew that she could. And… it really didn’t matter if people thought she was crazy or couldn’t do it. She was doing it for herself.
Of course, that got me thinking about how our athletic pursuits are so relative to us as individuals. I mean, duh, Mrs. Obvious. But really, as a reader of Meghan’s blog, I see the passion and love she has for triathlons and training. I see that doing a full Ironman (which is 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run) makes sense for her. There is no doubt in my mind that she will rock the training and race to the best of her ability! That is the course she is on!
But, yeah. That doesn’t mean that someone who doesn’t know much about it, or how hard she works or how you have to build up endurance, might hear about the race and think, “Holy crapola! You ARE crazy! Can you do that?!”
My conversation with Meghan reminded me of when I started running. I remember coming home from work and getting a two mile run in on the treadmill, and being so damn proud that I worked out that day. I remember carb loading for my first 5K. I remember my first 6 miler and how nervous I was. I remember my first half marathon with Steven… talking with Steven about our friends who run marathons and thinking I would NEVER want to run that far.
Things change!
And that is the cool thing. You never know what the future will bring. And that makes life exciting.
Recently, a friend of mine (hi, Jen!) seemed surprised/impressed (in a nice way!) that I ran over 13 miles for fun, on the same day I saw her. It made me laugh, because that didn’t seem like much, for me. In fact, I was thinking, “Hmm, should I have run more?!”
But I don’t write that to be snobby or brush off mileage. It’s just that where I am with my running, that doesn’t seem like a very long run. But years ago? Oh gosh! Yes! I wouldn’t have thought I would be running that!
So, what am I getting at? Hee hee. I guess, that our interests or fitness levels change, something that seemed crazy before, may no longer seem crazy!
(Ha ha, and then you find something new to think is crazy, and sometimes end up trying that out years later…)
So, please, brag away! No feat is too small! And please include non exercise stuff too, even though this post has that slant (as they all seem to).
And really, I feel like I need to reiterate this… I am not a mileage snob. I enjoy long runs, but I think doing anything active, ANYTHING!, is a huge accomplishment and people should be proud of themselves for what they do!
Themocracy
I remember my first 10K seemed sooooo crazy. Could I really do it? Could I run -gasp- an entire 6.2 miles??
It seemed insane. And it’s funny, because I was so sore after it too (it was on a test drive track so had that slanted road that meant my right leg was like, HEY!). I was as proud of my first 10K as I was of my first half.
Looking back now it seems so little, I was ready to start training for a marathon back in February and only 5 months earlier I was shocked I could complete a 10K, haha!
Isn’t it crazy?! And it’s NOT little! I went through the same experiences, like, “WOW! Can I do this!” and then you do feel sore, for pushing yourself at something you have never done before 🙂
I LOVE this! I always think about how a few years ago, I could barely run for 5 minutes straight on the treadmill but now, even though I’m injured and can’t run more than a few miles that I can just go run 3-5 miles without being nervous, without worrying how sore I’ll be or if I’ll finish. I got that base yo!
Also, I never imagined just how cool I would be…
Thanks 🙂 And it is AMAZING to have that base! Sigh. I love hearing about how people got in to running/their exercise of choice and how they build up that endurance. It’s so cool how our bodies do that.
LOL! I never imagined I would meet someone as cool as you!
Meghan got into Chattanooga? What? It sold out in 3 minutes! Congrats to her! That’s the one I had my eye on until I blew up at Great Illini and totally lost all my mojo. 🙁 I’m still super sad about the whole thing. At least I can follow her journey.
Thanks Amanda! I saw your comment on my blog too. I’m sorry you didn’t sign up and had a bad race before. I need to hear over and read your recap.
You are the furthest thing from a mileage snob. You make running “all the miles” sound so wonderful and make me want to do the same 🙂
Eh well for exercise stuffs, I always pictured myself running marathons and lowering my times. Maybe because I’ve always been active. Although in cross country in HS I was all “OMFG 6 miles is sooooo far!”
And seeing my dad run and kick butt made me believe I could do it.
The thing I never thought I’d do is move to Mexico for 2.5 years, play in a professional orchestra and become almost fluent in Spanish. But with the progression of my life seems “normal” and that also kick started my “nomadic” tendencies. Like moving from Florida to San Francisco because I felt I NEEDED to live there. Totally normal in my eyes, but I realize like 90% of the people I went to HS and college with are still living within 30 miles of where they grew up. (Maybe they are ok with that & happy?) For me, it took a very bad situation in 2008 to realize that life is too short to coast through life. Now I make the life I want for myself. I was a sheeple, a coaster, living life in a mediocre style before that event and now I take charge and do what makes me happy. So back in the day I never would have had the balls to make any of this happen, an I’m *happy* in some respects that the event in 2008 made me stronger because after the dust settled, I became a much stronger person than who I was before. 🙂
Aww, thanks!!!
I am not surprised to hear that (you expected to do that sort of running) with your background. And that is very cool! 🙂
I love that you do what you want and make things happen! And aren’t trapped in once place, you know? I think it says a lot about someone’s character to be able to pick up and go and adapt. So many people want to stay where they are. And there is nothing wrong with that too! So…, I guess I am saying, you are brave and bold and I like that!
Wait! You ran sub2 at your first half? Dangggggg. I didn’t know Steven ran halfs too! Has he done more than one?
It’s like this weekend when I did a 5k on Saturday, a half on Sunday and my marathon is a week later. Uhhh some people thought that sounded pretty crazy, but it didn’t seem out of the ordinary for me. 🙂
Oh and did I really say I was thinking about 50m at North Face? Yeah, you can ignore that. heehee
Steven and I did the first and second Wisconsin Half Marathon together 🙂 And our goal was to run sub 2:00 for the first one and we did it! 1:57:47. LOL. The time is imprinted in my mind.
Ha ha. I know! We kept talking about it and it never sounded crazy to me! I am happy IM dude was there to make you seem less crazy.
We were talking 50K. Did I type M? Oops!
I remember when I was so proud of myself so making it through a 20 minute run. It seemed so long! When I started running I told myself I wasn’t built for it and that I would never be a distance runner. And it is funny because I still don’t think of myself that way. But then when I tell people I have now run a marathon on 4 continents, including Antarctica, they are like “wow, you are amazing.”
So why don’t you think of yourself that way?! You are out there doing it! That IS you! 🙂
I agree with Heather about thinking that a 10k was a long way! When I registered for my first one, I had only ever run 5ks and it seemed like such a huge jump! I also never really thought I could (or had any desire) to run a marathon. I think reading blogs of how other regular people run them made me change my mind and believe I could do it too. I only signed up because a coworker did though. It wasn’t something I even cared about doing until I signed up. I could see myself doing another one eventually.
Something along the same lines.. I now eat a lot of things in my normal diet that I never dreamed I’d enjoy. Things like sushi, olives, avocadoes, mushrooms, etc. are some of my favorites but I used to be grossed out by them.
I remember when I first started out running I’d run one mile to a park and one mile home and I felt so accomplished. Even though it was only 2 miles, I fell in love with running and slowly built up my mileage. I never thought I’d be running as much as I do now. I’m also super impressed with my ability to get in miles early in the morning. I remember training for my first marathon and I thought getting up before 6:00 was too early so I’d split longer weekday runs in half and do half before work/classes (I was in undergrad) and half when I had a break. Now I get the runs done before work like it ain’t no thang :).
YES! I was going to mention the early morning thing in this post, but it got so long. I have been getting up so early to get runs in… and then work a full day. No big deal! LOVE IT!
This is such a great post! And just so you know you do not come off as a mileage snob at all. You inspire me to get moving- whether running or some other activity because you make it seem so fun! A few years ago I never thought I would be wanting to run marathons or be able to lose the extra weight I had put on. While both are still a work in progress I feel confident about the strides I have made in both areas and eating healthy (for the most part) and running 20 milers seem less of a big deal (okay 20 miles is still a long freakin way;)).
Aww, thank you! And I am happy to hear I don’t come off that way, and it is very nice of you to say I inspire you! I do have so much fun working out… and I love hearing how others do too, like your long run with the new group! 🙂
To have a handle on healthy eating impresses me, big time. It’s something I have been working on… yikes. For too long to mention. Keep it up!
I so needed this post today! I really like hearing what it was like for all of these super accomplished runners when they were first starting out, since I sometimes feel like I’m still in that stage. Like hey, remember when just running a mile was hard? I definitely never thought I’d be a runner. Never ever ever. So the fact that I can run at all is still pretty cool, and having done some distance over the past 6 months feels like a huge accomplishment. My longest run as of this April was only 6 miles, and here I am training for my second half! And Rachel mentioned back-to-back races – yeah, did that in April too, and NEVER thought I’d be that crazy!
I’m also still kind of surprised by how much I’ve gotten out of my shell since moving here. I never would have gone to something like a blogger meet-up, where I only know one person – the idea of doing something like that used to be so terrifying!
Yay! I am happy the timing was good on it 🙂
I SOOOOO remember when running a mile (less, really!) was hard!
Can you believe you have MORE than doubled your long run distance and are going for another HM?! Crazy crazy crazy. I wonder what the future brings 😉
I love that you have gotten out of your shell! JK, you are all mine.
JK.
Maybe 😉
But really, I love meeting new people and get an energy from it, and am happy it isn’t terrifying for you anymore! 🙂
Well I toads read this post as you telling me to run a marathon. Because I keep saying that will NEVER happen. It still seems pretty unlikely 🙂 I could probably do it, but the idea of running for, what, like 6 hours sounds awful.
I also can’t believe that I work out 5-6 days a week! I used to force myself to go to the gym ONCE a week in college, spend half an hour on the elliptical (while watching all the cute college boys playing basketball) and call that exercising. Uh, yeah.
Good. You got what I was saying. LOL.
I love that you workout 5-6 times a week and do so many different things! I think you need to get watching cute boys playing basketball back in the training recaps, somehow.
Exercise related, I would have never in a zillion years think I would run a marathon. Ever. I can say that I have and that is craziness to me. I also never would have thought I’d live in Wisconsin. This part of the country has never even been on my radar. Then I met my husband and that all changed. I love the different paths that life can take you. It can be really exciting.
Was that me that got a shout-out in your post? Wow! That would be an honor.
In answer to your question, I think that people were AMAZED that I completed two sprint triathlons this summer. Hell, I’m amazed. I’m totally NOT built for it and look like I had no business being there, but I did it anyway! Now, I just want to be better. So, I keep trying…to become a runner and lose the weight that only makes all of this so much more difficult.
In all honesty, you are such an inspiration to me and your positive energy is a big motivation to push through. I want to be like you when I grow up 🙂
Yes yes yes! Both my Jens! I should have written “Jens.” Or, as I call you to my husband, Jen 1 and Jen 2. (LOL, I am thinking about writing an entire post about what I call my friends to my husband so he can remember them, but… I would have to get his approval).
Count me on that list of people being amazed! And not because you are “not built for it” but because, damn, triathlons are hard shit and take some balls to do. So applause to anyone who does them! And especially tackling two in one season!
Aww, thank you! 🙂 Keep up your running streak and telling me about it! I love to hear what you’re up to!
Now I want to know if I’m Jen 1 or Jen 2 🙂
And, I really need to meet your husband! After all, we’re neighbors!
You are Jen 2, since I meet Jen first then she introduced me to you, lol!
Yes! We should all hook up! 🙂 I need to meet Troy!
P.S. I got permission for the nickname post, lol.
I’ve always been such a standout athlete that I can’t look back on a time when I doubted how far I could run or felt that it was impressive. I look back and go, “Yeah. It’s how it works.” Just me and how I roll.
OMG. That almost sounded awesome. I’ll never forget the time I ran 4 miles – Thanksgiving day 2009. I somehow found 5 million ways to work the run into conversations with friends and family that they probably wanted to run 4 miles to get away from me. Now, 4 miles is such a benign distance and almost seems not worth putting on sneakers, as my grandma says.
LOL. I love you 😀 And love that you were so proud of that! And that you find new things to be that proud of.
I remember distinctly the day I decided I need to start moving. I literally got up out of my chair and walked 10 blocks in my flip flops & was all woot-woot look what I did. That was in 2008. 5 years, 52 pounds and countless 5k’s later I decided I was going to do a local tri this summer. bought a bike and never ever stepped foot in the water. No tri this year however I can stay on the bike for 4 hours at a time. I’m doing a 100k bike ride this upcoming weekend and I am registered for adult swimming lessons starting in October to help overcome my fear of water. My family, friends & coworkers think I’m nuts. I am 52 years old and have never felt better in my entire life. Plus I am healthy, no longer on blood pressure medicine. And for me that’s the bottom line – how I feel. I also tend to be a bit on the competitive side so setting a goal and then accomplishing it is a perfect for a type A personality like myself!
Oh my gosh! You are amazing! I am not sure why they think you are nuts! You are getting healthier and having fun doing it! 🙂
I love running fast. It is pretty awesome to have this ability, especially when I’m able to start a race fast and then kick it into a higher gear near the finish. When I am moving fast and effortlessly, that is the greatest feeling. I know this “talent” will fade over time and may vanish completely one day, so for now I enjoy.
I’m going to be the tool and say, I don’t feel ready to brag yet. While I may be doing runs and paces that I haven’t done before, I am not satisfied. I’m hungry for more. I feel I can do better before my body pulls me back with age…
With that, I’ll brag that I’ve made your blog a few times!!
LOL! You could brag about your kid or work… but yeah, being mentioned here is probably #1 anyway 😉
cycling 55 miles then going for an 11 mile run…..definitely gets the brain cells pumping about what other possibilities there are….such as ….gasp… a half ironman?!?!
That is TOTALLY a possibility!!!!
I NEVER thought I could run more than 2 miles but now that seems like a short run.
I never also thought I would be where I’m at career-wise, married and owning a home at my age. Life turns out as it wants, not how you plan though I suppose!
I can remember when I started running long distance. I hated it. Then the hubby smoothed talked me into running MCM with him in 2009, he said, “it’ll be fun”. I thought that man was crazy!!! There were times I wanted to give up, and at the time we signed up, I couldn’t fathom running 6 miles, much less 26.2. But I did it, and now I’ve done two MCM’s!!! What?!?!
I also remember when I went back to school to pursue my RN summer of 2012. I thought to myself over and over, “what the hell am I thinking? I’m 33 years old!!” There are times when I kick myself in the butt for waiting this long, but you know what? I’m not sure if I’d be as successful as I am today if I did it 5 years ago.
Funny, isn’t it? If we told our younger selves the things we’re doing now I bet they’d just laugh.
I never EVER thought I’d love trapeze. I never EVER thought I’d love something that I have to work hard at. The only downside for me is that when I tell people I do it they always say “oh, I could never do that!” Really? Never? Is that because you aren’t in physical shape to do it or you’re scared. There’s a difference. In fact, I said never about running a marathon because it seemed scary. Maybe some day I’ll change my mind about sky diving, too. But don’t get your hopes up 🙂
It’s frustrating any time you are telling someone about a hobby of yours and get the “I could never…” response. I mean, you aren’t trying to convince them. Which is worse, that, or the circus question?!
I love this post, on so many levels. First off, that we as fellow runners/athletes ‘get it’ and love to brag each other up.
There are a couple running friends I have that nearly mock my distance running, and it used to irk me. :-\
Thanks!
Hmm, I think you are misusing the word “friend” then 😛 A friend wouldn’t mock!
I think your mileage is amazing and you are super speedy. I had to agree with running two miles..that is about where I am now..and I remember the very first time I did 6 miles. It was all relative to where I grew up and how far town was away, and it just seemed so far. I still think about how I now complete a half marathon which was about the same distance where we could buy groceries when I was growing up.
This is a great post, since Sunday is my third half. And four years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I could do 13.1. Let alone do it again. Another great accomplishment for me, is with the Walk to Run group with Britt, is I can now run 2 miles without stopping, and I don’t die!
Aw, thanks! I hope you have a great HM!!!! 🙂
I feel super lucky that I get to be so active – I had a bum knee but after my ACL surgery, I was able and have been able to return to activities that I really loved and I also discovered the whole triathlon thing because it is somehow easier on my body to swim, bike and run, even though I still consider myself a runner at heart. In fact, this year, I’ve participated in only ONE run and 3 triathlons (so much for racing).
As others have said, your mileage is so amazing! I wish that my body would let me run that much, but I also think that’s the important thing – not comparing yourself in a negative way to others but saying “wow, that is so cool!” and acknowledging what they’re doing.
I think I knew all that about your surgery, but I love hearing that you got in to tris… and that you have done so many this year!
Aww, thanks! And yes, I think we should not compare. I see so many people get caught up in doing that since a lot of us say what we are up to on our blogs and I am sad that they diminish THEIR accomplishments because other people do something different!
Thanks for sharing this and for your support! It’s funny to read it and remember that it’s me that signed up for the Ironman. Three years ago I would have laughed if you told me I’d run a 5k. I guess we all have different levels of crazy and different ideas of what we want to accomplish. I know for some people they want to keep running 5ks and keep improving time, and for me I like to keep pushing distance and see how far I can go. I’ve only worked for a PR at the half marathon, but I’m thinking once I’ve accomplished all the distances I can decide on the one(s) I want to focus on to be “my” distances.
Getting after younger people for doing stupid things. What comes around, goes around. “Get off my lawn!”
In 2005-2006, I spectated my best friend Vera when she ran the Chicago Marathon and I thought it was crazy and the thought of running more than a 5K sounded stupid and impossible. Then in 2010 I ran my first half and it was SO hard and I didn’t think I would even run another half again, so still, the marathon was not a possibility. Then I realized all of these other people “like me” (not crazy athletes) were able to finish marathons and I started thinking maybe I could too.