I’ve been running for quite a few years now. If you follow what I’m doing, you know I’ve recently transitioned to training for triathlons. The switch came from this idea that I was never going to be as fast as my runner friends so I would just start doing something that not all of them were doing. I’ve always run around a 10-minute mile and, up until recently, I’ve been perfectly okay with that. But now I’m not. I keep seeing people I know, that are just starting to run, getting better and faster and I’m still going at the same pace I had 6 or 7 years ago. So what’s the problem? A friend of mine has pointed out more than once, I just don’t push myself. And I don’t train to get any faster. I might train for distance, but that’s it. I’m not knocking that. I’m pretty darn proud of my running most of the time, but now I want more.
So what am I going to do about it? Well, it’s pretty obvious. I’ve got to start training like a “real” runner. I’ve got to stop making excuses for myself. And I’ve got to push. Like with anything else, if you want something really badly, you usually have to work for it. I’m not even sure what my goal is yet. I just know I want to get stronger and faster. Typically, when I set my mind on something, I will get it done. So it’s time for me to buckle down. Thankfully, I’m blessed with a few friends that I trust for advice, encouragement, and “tough love”. And, yes, I am doing my own research as well. I’m reading up on fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers and I’m boring to tears anyone who will listen to me talk about my newly gained knowledge of these subjects.
As outgoing as people “think” I am, I’m not comfortable in situations where I’m the “newbie”. I don’t go out seeking people. I typically wait for them to find me and I hope that I’ll be in the right place at the right time to be folded into a new circle. I’m at a place in my life, though, where I’m saying to myself, “What do you have to lose? You’ll probably end up gaining if you just put yourself out there. You’ll be no worse for the wear either way.” So I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and I’m starting to engage people. I did this recently by meeting up with a group of cyclists I’d never met before and that I knew were going to be faster than me. And you know what? I had a great time. They were friendly and helpful and gave me such a positive experience. So I’m doing that with everything now. What’s the worst that can happen, right? Someone isn’t nice to me. So what? I’ll get over it. It’s a risk I’m willing to take to gain new friends and to get better at the things I want to do.
So that’s it. Those are my thoughts for today. I’m at a good place. And I’m excited about where I’m going. And I thank all the people, in advance, that are going there with me, if even by just saying a word of encouragement that might get me through that next mile.
