Inspiration

It was Chris McCormack (Macca) who got me through my 20 miler last weekend and Terry Fox who helped me breeze through my 12 miler on Saturday with a smile on my face. Now I am looking for someone to inspire me through 26.2 miles in 2 weeks time.

The night before my last 20 miler I was glued to my computer watching Kona. I sat in awe as Macca broke away from Andreas Raelert to win. As I was nearing the end of my run and trying to maintain 10-15 seconds faster then marathon pace for the last 4 miles, all I thought about was how Macca must have been feeling during the last 3-4 miles of his race. I thought to myself, my suffering is NOTHING compared to what he must have been feeling in those final miles and yet he was still able to break away and give it one last hard effort. So I told myself to suck it up and to stop being a wimp. It worked! I finished that run feeling strong and was very happy with the results.

This Saturday I had a nice 12 miler on deck. It was a beautiful day and I was really enjoying the run. I was by myself and enjoying the solitude. I was perhaps going out abit too fast for a long run, but everything just felt good so I went with it. With about 4 miles to go, though, I started to feel it abit. It was then that I ran right in the middle of a race going on in the park... The Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research. It was just what I needed to help me get my second wind and finish up that run strong. I just thought about how incredible Terry Fox was and how he must of felt each day that he was out there giving it his all. It also made me realize how lucky I was to be able to run and to have my health. I finished that run with a big smile on my face, loving my life.

So now I am looking for someone to inspire me through 26.2 miles on October 31, 2010. I am looking for a good book, movie, or article to help inspire me and get me through those last tough miles.
If anyone has any recommendations I would love to hear them! I need all the help I can get!!

Why I Love my Wednesday Runs

Tuesday and Thursdays I usually try to do some sort of "quality" workouts (i.e speed work, hill repeats) Saturdays I do long runs and Sundays I try to squeeze in my recovery runs without losing my entire weekend to running.
But, Wednesdays, ah Wednesdays. Wednesdays are my day to just float along - No goals, no gadgets, no particular speed or pace. I just "go with the flow" and enjoy every minute of it. It is also the one day I usually listen to music and just get lost in my thoughts or the melody/lyrics of the song.
Lately I have not been enjoying running too much. I think I have been putting too much pressure on myself, and when I can't meet the goals I set forth, I think I become somewhat resentful towards the art of running. But it's nights like these, when I get out in the park with no expectations, that I remember why I love running so much. The cool crisp air, the familiar faces I see running the same routes seasons after seasons, the rhythmic flow of my body, the ease of movement under my feet - these are things that make me smile. These are the things that keep me coming back.
Tonight was a good night. Tonight reminded me why I do this thing called running in the first place. Tonight is just the sort of night I needed to reignite this crazy love affair all over again.
Tonight I came home and thanked my lucky stars that I can run, that I have the ability to do so.
Tonight I realized that there is no reason to whine and complain about a bad run
Afterall, any run is better then no run at all!