What's my purpose? Ok.. not in life, but here on this blog. Why? Why do I write? Why do I train? Why do I race. I alluded to my questioning my definition of AWESOMENESS for this great year of 2011 in my last post. Originally when I thought of AWESOMENESS I thought about crushing the Boston Goal and achieving my furthest distance at some arbitrarily fast pace. Well, as I've been striving toward the Boston goal I've found that I don't have the drive (my teammie Megan wrote a great post about this) to run FAST. I have the drive to run, but not fast. Not right now. I might come back to it, but right now I feel like my purpose is different than proving to (who?) the world that I'm a speedy runner.
So what exactly is that purpose? What makes me the most proud of my efforts? When others, mom's and otherwise, are inspired by the fact that I just get it done at all. I don't need to be super human... I want other people to see me as a 'regular' person.. a solid middle of the pack age grouper.. who is getting it done in my way. I want YOU to see me and realize that YOU too CAN set those goals (dreams) and find the DRIVE to do it. YOU CAN make the time in YOUR schedule to do it. YOU CAN push your body beyond the point that you once thought you could. Because really... if I can do it so can YOU!!! (Don't get me wrong I won't be slacking!! I'm eat up those hard workouts... I'm just not going to focus and worry about it so much. IT being finish time. )
And that we can ALL do it while having a GREAT TIME!
So have I found my WHY? I haven't drilled down to it all the way yet, but I think it's starting to show me glimpses of itself. I know a portion of that why is YOU! All of you... whether you be team mates, friends or family. I think of all of you during the long training sessions. I think of all of you when I race. And I hope to inspire you to dig deep within yourselves to find those dreams and the desire and to start putting one foot in front of the other to GO FOR IT! All the way. We get one life, one chance... let's do it!
What's your WHY?
One last thing.. I would be remiss if I didn't share the hilarity of THIS post with you. Read it.. you will LAUGH OUT LOUD!
Whether you are going to focus on going fast or not, you should choose to not stress about it. Stress is the enemy to training. You can have your cake and eat it too and I think if you focus on not stressing about any of it, and you focus on enjoying the process, smiling, and approaching your training with reverence, then all the speed you could hope for will come.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't want you to do is sell yourself short because you don't like what it feels like to stress about "outcome oriented thoughts". Work on the stress part and try to limit thoughts that focus on outcomes and results, and marathon paces.
You are an inspiration! Keep asking the right questions.
Great post, Laura!! I think the why of it all is sometimes hard to define, but if you are not having a great time, then you might as well go home, right?
ReplyDeleteI love this port Laura... I don't know that there's a clear answer of the why (for me at least). I'm happy doing what I'm I'm doing. That's really what matters to me. I think you feel the same! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that post was so freaking funny...
Awesome post. Thank you. It is all about fun, and this team is great for reminding you of that.
ReplyDeleteI think if you don't stress too much about getting the speed, but train to be your best, and have fun. Nothing better than hard work and a smile to help you reach your goals (and beyond).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tag! I think. ha ha
i like your why Laura and it really is supposes to be fun so you are spot on! Not sure what my "Why" is? Might have to go on a run to figure it out (-:
ReplyDeleteGreat focus. I'm with you. I'll remember my memories with friends YEARS longer than i remember my finishing times.
ReplyDeleteIf there were race rankings for whoever had the most fun, I'd have a lot more podium spots compared to my AG finishing places. And that is the way I like it.
all that matters...is what is truly important to you...and inevitably for that you will have drive
ReplyDeleteWith time comes speed, that is the biggest thing I have learned, yeah there are things you can do to pick it up quicker, but I doubted the "super easy running longer distances" until last year and saw some great gains.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have such an awesome year, and this is a great way to look at it! If you're not having fun, then what's the point. I agree that you shoudl push yourself and be the best you can be, but don't let that take over the fun. :)
ReplyDeleteCatarunk Girls post is the funniest thing I have ever read! I love your post! WHY!! Because I love it! I love it because in the process of accomplishing goals which seem crazy to others I get the pleasure of seeing them jump on my training wake and join in on the fun. Seeing the people who once thought a 5k was impossible cross the finish line because I inspired them i better than me crossing that finish line!
ReplyDeleteLaura, how about this:
ReplyDeleteYou have peered into the well of your being and need to know how deep it really is......
Run Strong!
treemapper.. good one!
ReplyDelete