Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Loved 'Em Every One!

Do you love running? I do.

The very flexible TG Sheppard
Short. Far. Fast. Slow.  "Big, Little, or Short, or Tall", as my man T. G. Sheppard would say!  T. G. Sheppard, huh, sometimes I think to myself "I vonda whatever happened to that guy?"  And then I think, "Wow, I really spend too much time thinking about '80s country music singers." (Once again, I understand that most of my readers have no friggin' idea who this guy is)

... back to running - I really do love it!  Lately I've missed two PR's in two consecutive races that I was pretty sure were gonna happen.  You might think that Mr. Over-Competitive 50 after 40 is really down about it ... but you couldn't be more wronger!

Sure, I always to get better, faster, and stronger as a runner.  But running has given me so many things that I am so thankful for ... and none of them include personal records!

1.  It's given me great health!  I'm 42, and I don't think I've ever been in better shape.  I feel awesome most of the time, and I have tons of energy!  I couldn't ask for better health at this phase of my life.

2011 KC Royals 5K
2.  I've had the opportunity to spend more time with my family through running!  I've been able to run a lot with my wife and daughter, and even paced them in a couple of races ... I wouldn't trade that for anything!

3.  I've met some wonderful people!  The blog world has been unbelievably supportive, and I've also met a few runners in real life!  It's always awesome to meet up with people who share a similar passion and really "get" what's going on with you.

4.  Almost more than anything, it's teaching me patience.  A distance runner soon learns that it's a grind - not a sprint.  I know that I can outlast almost almost anything ... through an injury, a race, or more importantly - life.

5. And like I've said before, through running I've learned that "if I can just make it up this hill, it gets a little easier on the other side!"  So true with so many things in my life.

So as I sit here with sore legs a few days after my latest marathon where I tried to act like an 18 year old kid and run as fast as I could, I ask myself, "Was it worth it?"  And the answer is yes!  Because whether it's a race, a speed workout, a social run with my family, or just a light slow run on a beautiful fall  morning ... I love every one of them!  And I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do what I do, even if I never PR again ... but I promise you I'll probably keep trying - ha!
... be great today!

21 comments:

  1. I especially agree with 1,2 and 3. Love the social aspect of running esp. with my family.

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  2. Awesome post! I need to channel this positive attitude right now.

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  3. I love reading your blog & your pep talks always come at the right time! Thanks :)

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  4. Awesome post brother.

    It is so true and I could not have said it better myself.

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  5. Good post Jim. Although, if I didn't know you were married, I'd wonder on that picture of your country guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Haha!

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  6. Um....hello I'm older than you and I don't even know who you were talking about there. How long do I have to be a runner before I start learning some of those life lessons?

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  7. I couldn't be more exciteder about this post :)

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  8. Somebody sounds jacked up on endorphins! No seriously great list and great reminders. Running is such a great way of life.

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  9. Great post, really love your thoughts that endurance runnign is a long, drawn out sport and results don't come over night!

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  10. I have a big marathon coming up Saturday and I've read your Negative Thinking post a bunch over the last few days. I'm going to try my darndest to be negative on Saturday.

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  11. I love it and I still think you are bat shit crazy every time I look at your profile-but I like it haha!

    Keep up the good work and inspiration.

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  12. Love it! I've just come off a very tough race and asked that same question: was it worth it. Yes, as always it was! Me too, I love it all!

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  13. Love your attitude!! Even a "bad" run is better than not running

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  14. Great way to turn it around. Everyone needs to read this!

    Who the heck is that guy anyhow?

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  15. Great Post. So agree with all that you said. I am over 50 and in probably the best shape of my life. I keep getting PR's - so I must have either been in really bad shape when I was younger - or just keep doing something right now.

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  16. If there was an award for the most valuable or inspirational posts on bloggerland, you should win it!

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  17. TG Sheppard? Was he ringmaster in the fruit cake circus? Look at that hair!

    You're wise beyond you years grasshopper.

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  18. A-Greed....I wouldn't give back anything running has 'given' me.
    I'm also jacked up post great tempo run but I don't care. Running rules.

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  19. Great post. I am new to running at age 45. I dropped 65 pounds earlier this year mainly by eating better and walking. I started feeling so much better and began to think about running. Everyone who heard that told me how much they hated running. I decided to give it a try anyway. My first run was the last mile of my walk on March 31st. This week I ran every day except Sunday (21.1 miles) and I can honestly say "I loved em every one"!!!

    And, I love TG Sheppard music. That was a great song.

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