Sometimes when I run my mind goes in funny directions. Like yesterday I imagined a Llama prancing through the field next to me, being ridden by a squirrel.
No, I do not need a referral to a psychiatrist. I already have one.
Today, I had a thought that actually pertained to running, life, and blogging. Weird, I know.
I was thinking about different runners and how everyone is built so much differently. Just like with the mind, some people are arts oriented, and some people are math oriented. With runners I think we can safely create three categories of people.
Because, ya know, I’m an expert, and a scientist.
- Naturally fast
- Naturally good at building mileage
- Naturally neither.
Maybe there are some people that are both naturally fast and naturally long distance runners, but honestly, for sake of argument, I’m not going to consider them humans.
I was thinking about this as I was literally sweating my butt off to do 5 miles at a sub 10 minute pace. Now some of you may be thinking; 10 minutes? That’s slow. You may either be; naturally fast, or not a runner. If you’re in that first group, I hate you, with love. If you’re in the latter group, I’m jealous.
In case you’re wondering, I did a 9:59 pace. I know you weren’t but I just wanted the world to know.
Just like I wanted someone to be waiting for me at the end with a medal.
I wish every time I did a PR running on my own someone would show up at the end with a medal for me. #runchat #FitFluential #sweatpink
— colleen (@runfordessert) September 7, 2012
Like my mom always tells us at Christmas; you can want anything, it doesn’t mean you’re gonna get it. Optimism at it’s best.
Anyway, the speedy group of people think I’m a wimp. That’s fine. I’m okay with distance, I’m able to build mileage in a reasonable length of time, but it’s not like I’m going out tomorrow and doing a 20 mile run like Jamie.
I would consider myself to be lumped into the third category. I am a reformed couch potato (except on Sunday’s, then i regress). I am not naturally athletic, and until about a year ago athleticism seemed as appealing as owning a cat.
(source)
So, not appealing at all, I forget some people do like cats.
When you’re young being incompatible with sports is not fun. You get picked last in gym class, you get winded going up stairs,and popular kids, in general, stay away from you. This morning I ran by someone who I graduated High School with. Someone who, wasn’t mean, but was sporty, and more likely than not didn’t want me on their dodge ball team.
The feeling that I felt wasn’t a; “I’m better than you”, or a; “Ha! Look at me now!”, feeling. It was more like a; “hey, look, I am now above what I was. I have done something great for myself”. And it wasn’t necessarily directed at her, it was more of a thought for myself. Seeing this person reminded me of where I was, and where I am.
Okay, the other thought I had was “You wish I was on your dodge ball team now!”.
I would have always lumped her into the first group, but now I’m not sure, she was running and looked like she was working just as hard as I was. p.s.- If you’re reading, I really liked your shirt. So; maybe no one feels like they fit into either of the first two categories. I may just think they exist because I’m not seeing that they are working, just as hard, if not much harder than me. Or they’ve been doing this sweating thing for a lot longer. If I really wanted to dig into this we could discuss whether athleticism is primarily nature or primarily nurture, but I don’t think you want to read that, and I don’t want to write it (but if you do, email me, I’ll make you some power point slides).
(source)
In other news, it’s just a few days over a month until RTB . We’re pretty excited about some stuff, and hopefully in a week or so I’ll be able to tell you all about it.
And, I also saw this today… Yep, you just think about that for a minute.
I am watching someone take a dog out of their back pack…yfrog.com/ocuxwdij
— colleen (@runfordessert) September 7, 2012
What kind of runner are you?
Did you see anything today that made you question humans?
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5 Comments
Naturally neither! But I’ll accept any challenge
SPA <3!
You are a great runner! You are getting out there and doing what you do, that’s more than some people. I also didn’t just decide to go out there and run 20 miles this weekend haha, we have built up over the last year to get to that point. You definitely can do it too!
And as far as speed, I was at 10 minutes per mile not too long ago and thrilled when I got under it. You will be amazed at how much you improve!
I’m definitely not fast! That’s for sure! I just run at my own pace and go as far as I feel like! I guess I’d just call me a fun runner or a recreational runner! I just love the wind in my face! :0) happy Friday!
This post made me laugh!!! You are so funny girl! I am NOT a fast runner at all. Anything in the 9′s for me and I think I am super fast! Actually I am pretty slow…I average around 11-11:30 min miles for my half marathons. Slow…but I enjoy myself and that’s what counts!
Well done! I hope it was a good t-shirt
I think I’m ‘naturally’ fast, but man is doesn’t feel like it! All things are relative.