Not Average

After reading all of your comments on my last post about becoming a runner, my heart is full of gratitude tonight. Thank you all so much for helping me see what I couldn’t see two days ago; that I AM already a runner.

I was so inspired by all of this running dialogue, that I began reading the book I picked up a few weeks ago from the Hal Higdon Meet and Greet, Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide.

I came across a touching passage and I had a mini-epiphany right there on page 67. I couldn’t read any further without coming to blog about what I had just read. Unfortunately I can’t quote the passage verbatim here due to its copyright. I have sent a request to Hal (we’re on a first name basis now just kiddin’) asking for his permission to post it, but until then, I’ll have to just tell you the gist of it the best I can.

Tucked inside the book is a section called: “Slow Runners Deserve Respect, Too” of which there’s a small passage about average runners. Hal believes there is no such thing as an average runner. He goes further and explains that just planning to run a marathon puts you in a category that is above average. This really spoke to me because it’s so relevant to where I am mentally at this very moment in my journey.

Considering my post on Friday, I went from wanting to become a runner (because I couldn’t see that I was one already) to believing that not only am I a runner already, but I am an ABOVE AVERAGE runner in the eyes of Hal Freaking Higdon.

All in a matter of TWO days.

Amazing. Anyway, I just wanted to share this realization with you all and hopefully it speaks to others out there who may also be doubting themselves as potential runners. So far I am loving this book and it came along at just the perfect time for me in my journey. Seriously, the timing is impeccable. His words are my new mantra.

Before I go, I wanted to just give a quick blog related update. I’ve done some updating to my pages at the top of the blog, so if you haven’t looked lately, please do! My “Races” page lists all of the races that I’ve participated in along with stats and links to their recaps and photos. Also, under the “Pictures” tab there is a link to see the entire gallery that I finally have installed. I don’t have all the pictures uploaded that I want to yet, but most of the race pictures are there and some others as well. There are also more pictures uploaded there than I ever shared on my blog, so you’ll likely see something you hadn’t seen before. I’m also working on my “Goals” pages here and here, but still need to bring my “bucket list” over to complete it.

Thanks again to all of you for giving me such wonderful encouragement and advice. Lori and Shelley both encouraged me not to increase my distance by more than 10% in a week to prevent injury and regression. I never would have known that little nugget of info had it not been for them, so thank you.

Man, I LOVE this community!!!

141.2 miles walked/jogged/ran since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 500)
45.5 miles biked since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 300)
(5) 5Ks finished since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 12)