Race Pace Training Diaries follows Jess D, a Race Pace Runner, training with the goal of becoming a faster runner and setting a new Personal Records in everything from the marathon to the 5k. Learn more about Jess here.
As we say hello to a new year, I thought I’d reflect on 2014, through a running lens of course …
Favorite race– Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run. I love traveling for races and this one did not disappoint. Running through the national mall, past the monuments, with the cherry blossoms in bloom, is not something I will ever forget. This race is truly beautiful and I recommend giving it a whirl if you’re able to get to the DC area.
Favorite elite– If you know me it wont be a surprise that I’m a total Kara Goucher #fangirl and proud of it! I’ll be watching every step of her 2015 comeback, grinning ear to ear.
Favorite running workout– I’m going to break this into two parts. 1- Fun: Strides! I had never done these before working with Jess…and I LOVE them. They make you feel like a track star. 2- Practicality: Shake out and recovery runs. Also new to me before Jess and I noticed a substantial difference in how my legs felt pre and post race. Clearly this lady knows what she’s talking about J
Favorite piece of running gear– This might be a tie between the Lululemon Run with Me Neck Warmer and the #Beenthererunthat Crop Leggings. I mean who doesn’t love having a city skyline going down their leg?
Favorite long run buddy– Race Pace Runner Angela Barraco, aka DErunnerIAL. It was bashert. If you don’t speak Yiddish (I’m super cool, I know), it means meant to be. We met for the first time at the Bronx 10 Miler and the rest was history. It’s not easy finding someone who perfectly matches your pace and who you adore also. Kinda in love with this girl!
Favorite running lesson learned– Acceptance. This is something I still struggle with and something Jess has helped me with a lot. I can’t always control every aspect of my life (shocker, I know), and I have to learn to accept that. Each race is not going to be a PR, my fitness levels will go down at times, I might bonk in a race I was perfectly prepared for. That’s the thing with running, you can’t predict what’s going to happen every step of the way, but you can accept where you are and know that each race doesn’t define you as a runner. The bad runs remind you that the good ones are earned not given.
Favorite race on my 2015 radar- NYC Marathon. They say the third time is the charm, right? I feel like we have some unfinished business and I’m ready for my redemption.
And now as we go fearlessly into 2015 I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Victor Hugo:
“In each age men of genius undertake the ascent. From below, the world follows them with their eyes. These men go up the mountain, enter the clouds, disappear, reappear, People watch them, mark them. They walk by the side of precipices. They daringly pursue their road…On they go. The road is uneven, its difficulties constant. At each step a wall, at each step a trap…Nevertheless they go forward in their madness. The air becomes difficult to breath. Some fall. Others stop and retrace their steps. The bold ones continue. They are eyed by the eagles; the lightning plays about them: the hurricane is furious. No matter, they persevere.”
I love that your favorite lesson learned was acceptance. That is something I struggle with all the time. Not being in the shape I want to be in, not running as fast as I should be able to, not having enough time to run, procrastinating. Not that acceptance should be about being lazy or content, but about separating the things you have control over with the things you don’t. Understanding, that at the end of the day giving your all is all that is to be expected. Being true to yourself is more important than superficial goals or unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves. Here’s to 2015!!!