Nobody cares if you're not a good dancer. Just get up and dance. The same holds true for racing. Whether first or last, we all cross that same finish line. Just get out there and run.
- Dean Karnazes

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Things I've Learned In The Last 9 Months

Yesterday, I was thinking about all the things I've learned since I started this little running adventure 9 months ago. Some of what I learned was about running, some is about myself.
  • Running doesn't suck, shocking I know, but I really did not enjoy it when I started
  • I now look forward to my runs, and I get bummed if I have to miss them.
  • Running is very much a mental game
  • Running hurts sometimes but the feeling of running completely outweighs the pain
  • It's cheaper than therapy
  • The right shoes make all the difference. 
  • Blood = BAD ASS (at least it is in my books) See this post
  • Running in rain/sleet etc. = BAD ASS
  • I am a sock snob, I found a kind of sock that I like and will not use any other. Thorlo Experia Coolmax socks (I own a lot of these and in a variety of colors)
  • Still on the subject of socks, I refuse to wear my white socks to race in. I wore white for the first 5K and I decided that white socks are bad luck for me. I know it's weird but that's just me. I plan on wearing the orchid or turquoise socks for the Princess, in case you were wondering.
  • I learned the importance of wicking fabrics. I started out wearing cotton...never again.
  • I learned the importance of fuel
  • I've learned what bonking is
  • I've become close friends with my foam roller
  • Learned how to properly tie my shoe laces, sounds simple but there is a wrong way to do this apparently.
  • Not every run is a superstar, rockstar run and I have had to learn to deal with that
  • I feel pretty bad ass every time we go on a long run
  • I learned what glide is, and that it's a wonderful thing.
  • The fine people at the Kroger on our running route are very nice and are kind enough to share their restrooms with us on our runs
  • I actually like being outside even in the cold, when I started I dreaded going to run outside
  • I learned that if you run you are a runner, it was a long time before I felt like a real runner. 
  • Slow is the new fast 
  • Most importantly, I learned that I am capable of a lot more than I could have ever imagined.
What have you learned since you've started running?

3 comments:

Johann said...

I love your list and you have learned all the right things in the 9 months. I’ve been running 29.5 years and I am still learning new things. For me the main thing is to keep enjoying what I do. For that I learned to change my goals as I go along and keep it realistic always. Sometimes the goal must be only to have fun. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Well said, Lucy. See you in a few days at the PRINCESS!!!!!!!!

Fruit Fly said...

I've learned that I can do anything!!

At least I sure feel like I can - especially now that we are legit half marathoners!!

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