Real Runners Believe

Am I a running snob?

Am I one of Those People?

Recently I was talking to The (washed-up) Mayor and he said something that really startled me...

He implied that he was not fast enough to be considered in the same league as me and my running peeps.

Um, WTF? That’s insane.

Are there some sick athletes among us? Hellz to the Yeah.

Do I consider myself one of them? Not really.
Does speed define one's BadAssery? B*tch Please.

I’m just a runner who runs for the love of the sport. I am not particularly athletic. In fact, I was once told that what I Lack in Speed, I make up for in my expertise on the "Running Psyche". 

I’m a run Guru; I’m not a BQ.
But yeah, I'm a Galactic BadAss and I OWN THAT SH*T.

Still, though, when he pointed out that he wasn’t as fast or as athletic as the running crew I chase every week, and that he wasn't a "runner" like me, it made me question whether or not I come off as a running snob or something.

Do I? Am I the runner girl version of Draco Malfoy? Am I coming off as an elitist?

I hope not, because if I am, I have not represented myself very well lately.

My personal belief is deep rooted in the idea that for every runner there is a (race distance)(trail)(non-race)(route) that will meet their particular needs. That is one of the things that makes running SO great.

Anyone can find a way to make this sport THEIR own personal FLAVOR. It just happens that right now my flavor is the kind that comes with wizards and a coffee shop.

Of course, this is a running blog. I love running. I could wax poetic about why running is the Cat’s Meow all day long.

 For years.

 I have, in fact, essentially done that. 

               For years.

When he said it my gut response was to say, “But that’s silly. You are athletic. You run for your reasons; I run for mine. That doesn’t make one of us a better runner, it just makes us unique in the way we practice our sport.”

Right?

amiright?

After all - my “running peeps” and I don’t necessarily run for the same reasons, even though we run together. And by together I mean I chase them and they come back for me. Or something like that.

Even runners training together for a BQ are not running for the same reason. Everyone has their own story that makes their BQ dream unique.

All the contemplating made me really consider the Why behind my run these days?

My answer is varied and complex.  Why do I run? Primarily because my children will sell me on ebay if I don’t... and also I’m obsessed with it... and because it’s the “thing that gets me high” instead of illegal drugs. I run so I can drink Starr Hill and not look like I drink Starr Hill. 

Oh, and I like running... even when I hate it. And I like the anticipation when it’s about to start. And I like the feeling of finality when it’s over. And most of the time I like the steps in between where I wrestle with my pace and my self-worth does battle with my self-doubt. 

Ultimately my run is my hobby, my therapy, my therapist, and my drug. ~ like a love sick crack head ~

I run for 10,001 reasons. And maybe they’re similar to yours, and maybe they’re not, but at the core, if you believe you are a runner, then you are a runner.

~savor the run~

Wizards First Rule

Every Runday my alarm goes off before the city is awake. I always lay in bed for about a minute and wonder if I should just sleep in. I can run later. I don't need to go get my ass kicked on a level 10 hill. I don't need to train this hard. I'm not really training for anything. Sleep is an important element of training.

And most Rundays, I tell the inner voice of sense and reason to STFU. I roll out of bed and go. I have run in sleet, rain, and bitterly cold conditions; I ran up hills that made me want to cry. 

But I ran.

On Rundays I run because I want to, no one is making me, except me.

I have nothing to prove, I'm not training for anything. I do this for fun, and because, even though they don't know me, I like running with Those People I Don't Know. 

Except there was a moment this week when I didn't like Those People. Recently, for the first time since joining Those People I Don't Know at Rogue, I had someone try to belittle my efforts.

Silly boy. Don't you know who I am? 
I'm charming...

The man in question reminded me of Draco Malfoy.  Essentially he represented everything that Harry Potter and Q and Coach Black are not. 

He was an arrogant snob. He acted though the fact I have not qualified for Boston made me less of a runner than him. Gosh, what would he have said if I'd admitted my marathon PR is a 4:09? He. might. have. died.

This attractive man sat beside me at a table with his back to me, talking pointedly to everyone except me. The deep frown etched into his face was only lifted when it was replaced by an unnatural smile for a camera. When he could not avoid speaking directly to me, he coated every word with disdain and thinly veiled sarcasm. At some point I realized he was judging me.  

Shortly after that I thought, "and he clearly thinks I'm not bright". How fascinating.

Additionally, he made it clear that as one of the "Dead Ass Last" crew, I was unworthy of his time and attention.

I confess:  There was a nanosecond where his low opinion of me hurt my feelings. I thought, If I was only (better, a BQ, skinnier, taller, nicer, prettier, more charming...) then he would (like me, respect me, acknowledge me, at least be civil to me).

And then I looked into his unhappy dead eyes and thought, I'm enough. His bad behavior shows far more about him and his lack of (grace, manners, happiness) than it does about me and my lack of (nothing). 

Isn't the first rule we teach our children in life is to treat others with respect? How did he miss that one growing up?

Because let's get real, if I was any smarter, better, nicer, or more charming, the world would not be able to handle it. As it is, I am intimidating as all hell.

Draco Malfoy may be an exceptionally gifted wizard who runs a blistering fast marathon and all that rot, but he's an unhappy small man who is missing out on the things life has to offer. My innate happiness must irritate the piss out of him. 

I laugh when I get high, and I get high when I run. I smile freely, and I am gracious to those in the Back to Last crew who come back for me when I am Dead Ass Last. I work hard to be better for my own personal satisfaction. I couldn't care less about Draco Malfoy's opinion of me.

I am enough.

~ Respect ~

aka the run where I was the quietest I’ve been in the last 4 years

So the big question from everyone right now is, “Are you Running THE 10K?”

There is only one 10K in the ENTIRE WORLD, as far as most Richmonders are concerned. Ya either LOVE IT. Or ya HATE IT. But if you live in RVA you probably have an opinion on THE 10K.

Monument Ave 10K is a Flat, Fast, Out and Back 10K that runs every spring in RVA. It inspires about 35,000 people to lace on shoes and move a total of 6.2 miles. It’s great for the speedy runners because it has seeded waves based on PAST 10K performance.

Are you running THE 10K?
Everyone's Doing It. It's the IN thing. You KNOW you want to...

No. I am not.

For two reasons.

The first is logistical. The race is the same weekend I am running away to the beach for a weekend with friends.

The next is logical. I earned a PR last year because I did race specific training. Right now I’m training for a longer distance.  I’m doing race specific training toward a Marathon, which would hardly prepare me for a 10K PR.

Besides, lately I've been a little defeated. I felt a little like I lost all my speed...~sniff~ and so it would be really hard to try to race a 10K knowing that my training hasn't allowed me to keep my speed...

er.. In Theory.

Cos on Sunday is went for a casual easy run with friends. ~yeah~ so. About *that*.

“Come run with me” wrote Coach Black.

If you’ve ever run in RVA, you might have seen Coach Black, Harry Potter, Ru, Yob, Ed, and Just Pink form a pack and charge down the street. They are beautiful to watch, running in unison with long fluid strides. Today, I was in the mix. AND It was super. I’m serious. It’s a wicked feeling to be wrapped up in that energy.

Of course, I didn’t do a lot of talking with my friends on the run. I listened as they exchanged stories and bantered with each other. I was not running on the edge of death, but I probably wasn't far from it at points. It’s laughably the quietest I’ve been in the last 4 years...

At some point I gasped a small comment about holding them up. They generally scoffed at my statement. I was running with The Team, and they were fine with the pace, regardless.  Besides, they were all pretty quick to point out that I was holding my own.

And I was.

Could they have dropped me? Oh sure, in a HOT minute. But the point they were making was WHY?

And then it happened. On Grove Ave I suddenly remembered:

Oh freaking yeah. I’m a Galactically Bada** runner, and I have some Bada** Friends.

They can freaking run.

And so can I.

Turns out I ran the first 5 miles only a few seconds above my PR 10K race pace from last spring, and the second 5 miles 8-35 seconds under my goal marathon race pace for this spring.  So. Am I ACTUALLY slower this year?
It would seem no...

And, if I'm struggling with pace these days, is it possible have I allowed myself to become mentally defeated?
Perhaps...

Sunday's run was a good reminder that even when you're training for a marathon, it's a good idea to drop in and run with faster people now and then. And, I really need to thank Coach Black & the All Black Team for sharing their collective MOJO with me Sunday. It was just what the Dr ordered going into the 50 mile weeks ahead. ~Thanks Coach~

Also, Harry Potter, On The Edge Of Death will be my new PRN motto. #justsayin’

~savor the bada** run~

*PRN - as needed

Dear Boston Marathon,

Dear Boston Marathon,

I'm sorry we missed each other.  I was here in VA, you were in Boston, and the traffic ~ whew, I just couldn't get it together to get there from here.

I imagine it was a great day.  I hope you enjoyed meeting my friends who came to see you with their BQ times or Charity $ raised.  I also hope that everyone I know who was out on the course had a stellar day, and is enjoying their sore quads today with the pride that comes with knowing they ran a good day at THE Boston Marathon.

  ~Boston Boston Boston~ the wind carried your name to my ears all day yesterday.  The streets and internet were audible buzzing with ~Boston Boston Boston~.  At least a dozen times in the past few days I've been asked about you, Boston Marathon.  It's complicated.  I never know HOW to answer the question, "Are you ever going to run Boston?"  


I usually answer with, "not likely."  Because it's not impossible, even with the new faster times.  If there is anything running has taught me it's that nothing is impossible.  

Despite saying that, I will not be aiming for a BQ time anytime soon.  Not because I don't want to run The Boston Marathon, but because my goals are more "me-centric" than "B-centric".  I will continue to train for marathons because I love to run.  And because I love the personal satisfaction that comes from training and testing my limits.  

If one day my goals become BQ focused, I promise, you'll be the FIRST to know.  Fair enough?

Hope you're enjoying your recovery day!

Until next Patriots Day,

g.