Yesterday I posted about running the first few times after my half marathon. Here’s what I didn’t mention – as well as being sick, I think I may have delayed my first run after the race because of nerves.
It’s hilarious to me that after running 13.1 miles, heading out for a short run by myself could make me nervous. No pressure for a fast pace, especially after a huge race the weekend before.
Yet I was so nervous, and laughing at myself for being nervous. I just ran 13.1 miles last weekend, on a challenging course, and now I’m afraid to head out for a 3 or 4 mile run?
For some reason, I felt all this pressure… as though I were a new type of runner, now, and I needed to live up to my accomplishment from last weekend.
Reality check – I’m not a half marathoner, I’m Kelly, and I have run a half marathon.
Yes, I have walked up hills that I probably could have run up, and taken breaks when I didn’t need to, and been really tired on some short, easy runs.
I’ve also run past people up hills during the most challenging race of my life, gone from running 0 miles to 20 miles a week and completing a half marathon in just over a year. I’ve fit my running around being a wife and mother of two toddlers, and I even still have some friends.
Every time I go out for a run, I’m accomplishing more miles. Every time I run hard when I want to stop, I’m increasing my chances of feeling great after my next race. Every time I take a break, I’m keeping running fun enough for myself so that I’m willing to get out of bed and go for that next run. I’m not saying I’m happy with how every run goes, but I’m happy I went for every run.
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Great post! Keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks Jill!
That is crazy you posted this because I was going to bring up something similar. I have this fear of change – change of course, change to an unknown course, change from sidewalk to treadmill back to sidewalk, change of time during the day, hot, cold even when I’ve experienced these changes in the past some went ok, some not so ok. It’s driving me a little nuts but I’m still moving forward to my goals. Taking your advice and not letting what could be an excuse get in the way (most of the time)!
Dana – I remember feeling like that in the beginning of running especially! It was almost as though I had to gain confidence as a runner in each new setting. “Can I run… here? What about on grass? Up a hill? That didn’t go so well. Maybe I can only run well in the morning. If I have had one cup of coffee. But not two…”
It’s as though I was almost superstitious about running and what would make for a good vs. a bad run!
Here’s the good news – the more you run, the better you get, and the more you realize that you can run in all sorts of conditions (tired, rested, hydrated, a little under the weather) and yes, it may impact your running, but not as much as you are afraid it will!
I had some tough runs in heat, but I actually have had a really awesome run on a hot sunny day, too. By being flexible and not taking anything as a sign that I’m not someone who is good at running in X circumstances, I run more, and get more confident about being able to run in a variety of places and conditions.
The more you power through the changes you’re talking about, the more you’ll feel like you’re able to run in a variety of circumstances… because you’re a runner. It’s something you do. You got this 🙂
That’s a great way to look at it! I haven’t gotten up to that type of distance yet, but we think a lot alike.