Long Run Saturday

ahhhh....Saturday. Maybe my very favorite day of the week. Not because of the usual things people love Saturdays for - no work, sleeping in - but because Saturday means I have time to run long.

I'm in full swing of 1/2 marathon training now, so I've been focusing during the week on the shorter, faster runs - trying to build my speed a bit. GAWH I hate those. Mostly because I've been stuck on the treadmill, but speed work in general sucks. I'm pretty convinced that I'm not built to ever be much faster than I already am....but I will keep trying!

Saturday long run is a much different run. I get to slow it down a bit, not focus on speed, zone out to my tunes and take it easy. I have tons of 'think' time, which I love.

I come up with all kinds of things to blog about on those runs, but I'll pick one for today.

When I first started running, I was about 45 pounds heavier, didn't own a single piece of dri fit clothing (or even knew what it was), & I ran around the old track at my gym just because I knew noone ever used it. I could run without anyone seeing me. Funny how I thought you should be completely fit & skinny before showing your face in the gym! Ummm, isn't that what the gym is for??? How silly.

Here's my experience at the gym yesterday.

I'm on the treadmill....for 1 hr, 40 min. Plenty of time to see lots of people come & go. We have two rows of treadmills & I always take the back. Ok there is still some vanity there (the back row means less people to see your butt shake when you run!).

A woman got on a treadmill right in front of me - heavy set woman, & started to walk. Shortly after I see her take it up to a jog, then a walk, then a jog....of course that looks just like the Couch to 5K plan to me, & I right away want to see if that's what she's doing.

If you know me, you are not surprised here, I will attempt to convert anyone I know into running - even if they really don't want to. Of course I go talk to her. She was in fact working on the Couch to 5K plan & Saturday was her 2nd week. We talked for awhile, then I let her get back to her workout & I to mine. I know how much time she had left in her workout.....

In walks 3 completely hot girls in those little boy shorts, full on makeup, tan, legs as long as my whole body....you couldn't help but notice them. They pop on the treadmill right next to this lady in front of me. But not before stretching right out in front of the whole gym. (um, ok, if I had an ass like that, I'd probably bend it over in front of the whole gym too...)

They get right onto the treadmill & start a warm up at what looks to be a comfortable pace for them. You know, just jogging along leisurely & chatting. Since I am behind them I can clearly see their pace. This leisurely warm up was at 7.0.

Now, let me tell you that I know who one of these girls is - she is a body builder - so I secretly was thinking when she hopped on the treadmill that there was no way she was a runner too.....but an 8:30 pace for a warmup? Yeah, thinking she's a runner too.

Then....she kicks that up to 10.5. That's a 5:40 pace. Then to 12. Yeah, that's a 5:00 pace. Holy crap, this woman is now running twice as fast as me.

I was jealous, felt like I needed to pick up my pace some - but only for one second - then I knocked it back down again. I was there to run 10 miles slow & easy....I wasn't going to mess that up.

But the sad thing is, the lady I had talked to earlier, turned off her treadmill & left. I know she wasn't done with her workout. I know why she gave up yesterday. I've been her & I felt sad for her. I truly hope to see her again at the gym.

Long story to get to my point of the post.

It's really hard not to compare ourselves to others. VERY hard. I used to do it. ALOT. From that time in my life I can tell you that comparing yourself to anyone else is the most unproductive use of your time & energy. I will never be taller than a 28" inseam. And you know, I'm ok with that :)

When I feel myself going there - like yesterday - I do two things.

First, think of what I would say to my little sweet one if she came to me with thoughts like this. I would NEVER let her feel inadequate to another girl.

Second, I try my hardest to acknowledge the work that other person has had to do to get to that point. That girl is at the gym every single time I am there. I know you don't get an ass like that eating pizza & drinking beer. She worked hard & for a long time. Those abs didn't happen overnight.

This post is a reminder for me, & for my friend(you know who you are!)

The best advice I could ever give you is to celebrate your accomplishments for what they are. YOURS. On this running journey, you will find out more about yourself than you ever thought possible. This is YOUR path that you are making for yourself. You can't worry about who's faster than you, who's slower than you, who has a smaller butt than you.

Oh & plus, that chick was only on the tready for about 10 minutes. I was there for an hour & 40 min. :) ooops, there I go again!