Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Keeping Perspective: Running "Good"


On the way to a trail run this weekend, I saw this car for sale in a parking lot. I read those optimistic words, "RUN'S GOOD" and thought - hey - photo op! So we snapped a couple pictures and went on our way.

When I got home and looked at the pictures, I started sympathizing with that car (which I realize is a crazy thing to do.) I imagined the person writing on the windows with terrible grammar - trying to convince the world that the car is worthy of purchase. I felt like the beat up car with the positive message was sort of a metaphor for my life as a runner. 

I am certainly not a perfect runner nor an elite runner, but under all circumstances - I will put in the work, I will do my absolute best and I will be a good runner.

DISCUSS:
How do you keep perspective on your own performance? 
How do you avoid living comparatively to other runners/bloggers or people in general?

8 comments:

  1. FYI. I would suggest your in the 90th percentile.

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    1. That might be true - but the competitor in me sees room for a 10% improvement. ;)

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  2. I think a lot of it comes from motivation and where is it coming from? My desire to run and perform comes from an internal motivation to push myself and see what I am capable of...if that means I am faster/slower than some people so be it. It is all a out knowing you are pushing yourself to be better.

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    1. Definitely! I agree 100% - until I'm in a race and people are passing me. Then those icky feelings of inadequacy creep up and I'm like "WTF?" I'm working on it. Not my favorite quality. ;)

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  3. Random blog fan from the internet here. It's a tough balancing act! I find that periodically looking back at training logs and race results helps me keep perspective on my own running -- seeing my own progress, regardless of how my times compare to anyone else, keeps me positive and helps with the internal motivation discussed above. But I also find a healthy dose of external motivation helpful, especially during races; I guess I avoid the feelings of inadequacy by focusing on the folks I'm passing rather than those who are passing me (even if the latter outnumbers the former).

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    1. You guys are all so wise. :) I'm not actually the poor sport that I think I've painted myself to be. But I am competitive. Competitive personalities experience really high highs and some pity-party lows when things don't go perfectly. Generally speaking, I live by the suggestions you've made. The only thing we have control over is ourselves, our effort and especially - our thoughts. :)

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  4. OMG that is the best! I totally would have wanted a photo too! Getting over my "i need to run at xyz pace" was hard especially reading tons of great blogs who inspire me, so i had to finally step back and remember that I run for so many reasons that go beyond pace and letting go of all those expectations is going to allow me to keep improving and running for many more years

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    1. Well said. And you're right - blogs are so inspirational, but I know at times I have found myself comparing my achievements against the writer...until like you said...we step back and focus on our own abilities.

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