2011 is really throwing me for a loop. I've designated it as the year of AWESOMENESS. Okay... what EXACTLY does that mean for me? Well today I figured that out during my run.
AWESOMENESS = FUN!
I recently saw a quote on a blog (that I've been trying desperately to find so I can link to it, but I can't find it... if you read this please comment below so I can link to you!!) that really resonated with me. Found HIM!
"If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right!"
I've also been digging deep to find my WHY? around ... well a lot of things, but we'll focus on my goal to qualify for Boston for now.
Today during my (non-stellar) run I was really thinking about this Boston Qualifying thing and the state of my life/running. Why do I want to try to qualify for Boston? Where did this goal come from? It carried me last year, but this year I'm not really feeling it. So where did this come from? I used to be perfectly happy just running - working on improving for sure, but mostly enjoying it. Well, I met some uber athletes... they had all qualified for Boston. So I guess I grabbed onto them and figured - if they could to it, I could do it. Not only could I, but I SHOULD!!! Why? Cause it gives me street cred w/ running friends? What's that all about!? So as I plodded along on my run trying to jack my heart rate up to 175bpm on hills (where my legs crashed way before I got anywhere near hitting 175) I realized I had my ladder up the wrong tree. At least this year! This year I'm not 'in the mood' to work hard in that manner.
So what does all this mean? It means I could give a rip if I qualify for Boston. I have no real desire to run Boston and I need to follow my own goals. So I'm still running Austin, but my approach has changed. What is it that I love about running... just the running. The mental break I get from it the feeling of having given a big physical effort. I can do this w/o a time goal.
When I trained for a half ironman I went into it w/ the goal of finishing and tackling this long distance I had never done. Then I had a conversation with my Brother in Law (who was also doing the race) about how long I thought it would take me. I literally had no idea. Then I started looking into it, then I got caught up in it, then I was all consumed by it and the process wasn't fun anymore. I almost dropped out of the race (which is ironic because I DNFd it due to bike issues). I don't want to walk down that road this year. I want to enjoy the process.
So what does AWESOMENESS mean?
1. FUN (first and foremost) w/ triathlon and all else in my life.
2. Completing the LONGEST distance I have ever done - twice!
3. Epic adventures and road trips with my Trakkers teammies and friends.
So there you have it folks. While this isn't my 'resolution' post.. it's the beginning of things coming together in my mind. I've been all over the map lately and have been thinking about this post quite a bit. I had something all written up... to only be trashed. There are things in my life beyond triathlon that I need to sort through. The FUN aspect definitely translates to those aspects of my life, but I need to nail down my thoughts and ideas around what I want to accomplish and/or focus on in the other areas.
So more to come. Any revelations for you this new year?
I really liked this whole post!
ReplyDelete"If you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right!" I've been trying to make that my mantra lately as well. I refuse to go to the gym and act like a squirell on the elliptical for the sake of some exercise. There is way too much fun in this world to give in to the insanity of boring stuff.
I like the way you think ;-)
Hey Teammie
ReplyDeleteI think you have the right attitude. First and foremost, have fun out there. The running WILL get faster! And you'll be faster and say "how the hell did I get here?"
I have no delusions of qualifying for Boston anytime soon.
Happy training!
Go get them Laura! I am with you - if it isn't fun, don't do it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I just had a realization TODAY that I need to have more fun and not take myself so seriously all the time. Funny how our thoughts have collided!!
ReplyDeleteI think it is so great that you reassessed your goals and adjusted them to fit your 2011 perspective. Life's too short not to have fun doing what we do for "fun"!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up my parents had a bumper sticker on the dining room wall (already sounds fun doesn't it?) That said "If it's not fun, why do it?" from Ben and Jerry, the ice cream guys. That pretty much describes my dad to a tee. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a great year, road trips and epic adventures!!!
Cool you are doing Austin. I did it last year and it is a great race. Some good hills but overall it is a lot faster course than you think!!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say something? With that attitude... you are going to have an AMAZING year. Mark my words! Excited to share it with you!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a mother of pre-schoolers/toddlers and am hoping to start running/training/working out. I'm just curious how you find the time to run...are you running behind a jogger with the kids in tow? This seems to be my biggest challenge for running/training at the moment.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a good attitude. I would go with the flow - you are going to suprise yourself lady :)
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your support of HAVING FUN. I mean who doesn't support fun right?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous... hmm there's no short answer to that question. I don't push a jogger anymore (I don't live in a place where I can do that safely or it might happen occasionally.. talk about a strength workout). I run either EARLY (mostly in the summer), while the kids are at school or at the gym while the kids are in the day care. Sometimes a workout gets pushed to the evening (I do swim at night right now)... when summer comes and training is crazy high volume I have a feeling I'll see the sunrise .. A LOT!
Feel free to email me directly at lamount03 at wifemotherathete dot com for more info and tips on how to get it all in. If you make it a priority you will figure it out. I should add that I also have a very understanding husband. He's not stupid. He knows that if mama don't workout it gets ugly up in here FAST! :D
A friend posted yesterday something like this, "If you always feel guilty about doing or missing a workout, you're doing it all for the wrong reasons." That really resonates with me and fits along with the FUN part of your post. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great attitude! I find in our sport it's hard because we're all pretty "type A" and we love racing etc, hard to combine meeting our goals with having fun sometimes we all get too serious! =0
ReplyDeleteThat being said, i'm another "would love to run Boston someday" and I basically screwed myself, I tried to qualify when my son was 10 months old....really?? What was I thinking?? I guess everyone told me i'd be faster after having him. Hmm, nope still slow =0 hehe!
Anyway, I feel the same towards Boston, just something cool to be able to do!
Would LOVE to talk about CT and what races you're doing down there, my cousin lives in Wilton so I can stay with him if there are races around there??
I should probably email you =0
You inspired my blog post for today: http://reflectivetriathlete.blogspot.com/ - thanks!
ReplyDeleteLaura - this is one of the best posts I've read this year. OK - maybe part of last year too (the year has just started, after all).
ReplyDeleteHave FUN! :-)
You guys are awesome! And yes that means FUN! ;D Since I wrote this post I've seen lots of similar testaments for fun. Is this like getting a new car and seeing it everywhere. I get a new attitude and suddenly it's everywhere! ha :D
ReplyDeleteLaura, LOVED reading this post. Your attitude is great; wish I had enough energy to get back into running. Please send me some of your vibes. p.s. I did give up soda, though.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new running team. That's great. Are you liking out east, and getting settled? I know, a year later?! But, still. ;)
Hope you all are doing well. I realized I didn't wish you a happy birthday. Always think of you at Christmas time.
How are the kiddos? Will they be starting kindergarten in the Fall? Doesn't seem possible, does it?
The Why is a very important reason I find my way to the finish line. At Boston, in 2008 it was about coming full circle. In 1982, my 6th grade math teacher convinced me to try running and later brought us out to watch the race and cheer him on on Heartbreak Hill (just below the firehouse). In 2008, when I reached that spot and was on the other side of the tape being cheered on by a bunch of kids.. it was amazing! That feeling, the feeling at the end of my first Ironman (OMG, I'm about to finish something I though was impossible), the electric feeling of hope and tension floating in the water just before the gun and the out of body experience of trotting down Alli Dr at Kona (my feet never touch the ground that last 1/2 mile), those are my whys. Moments like those last a lifelime and you never know when the next one will come.
ReplyDeleteI love to run, ride, ride, and swim and to have the chance to do things I once thought were impossible. That feeling and pride in accomplishing my goals make it worthwhile and give me the answer to why am I doing this. Stay in the moment, enjoy the ride, and keep your eyes open. Amazing happens everyday. Fun!
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