Monday, August 08, 2011

Fast as a bunny...not so much

My race tactic was I-don't-wanna-be-a-hot-weather-statistic-on-the-side-of-the-road approach. Regardless it is still a struggle for me to go "backwards" and have a race time several minutes slower than I know I am capable of. Yes, it's stupid, but that's my perfectionism that I've also been working on as part of this journey.

Here's my race summary:
  • Man, my back is sore. Uh huh, not sore enough. You're fine.
  • Is this outfit going to be cool enough? Um, unless naked is an option. Yes.
  • It's f-ing hot (92 degrees)! No $hit sherlock.
  • Let's get this thing started already.
  • Oh hell, it's starting.
  • Great. There's some people I know and I have crazy hair.
  • Is it over yet?
  • Oh look, they changed the course from last year. 
  • Oh look, they changed the )@(#*$)@(* course from last year to have a lot of inclines.
  • Good grief, it's hot.
  • Oooo, out and back! Nice! Hey, you over there, I'm fast...like a rabbit!!!
  • Heck, three quarters of a mile left. Turn it on and let's get this over with!
  • WOO HOOO! No speed record set, but it doesn't matter. I finished. 
If I post a goal on my blog it makes me accountable. It's like a promise to myself and also in a way to "all these people" that may be reading. It's just something that I found works for me. When the thought of bailing on something surfaces, I then have two options:
  1. I'm not going to do it and I will have to explain why. And, sometimes this is OK, but it makes me think through why to figure out if the reasons are valid for me (if I were to read them, are they excuses or reasons?). A good example is when I decided earlier this year that I h-a-t-e running in hot weather and changed my mileage goal for the year. Hating something is a good reason in my book.
  2. Then there's the other side of the coin. Bailing on a goal for me is hard enough, but doing so with reasons that I feel are lame just doesn't work. So, that's enough to keep me going. This was Saturday's race.
    Thanks to everyone out there for the encouragement. I do appreciate it greatly.

    Next up for me is an obstacle course race - The Jai1break.  Dang it! Now I have to do it! I joke...kinda :)

    11 comments:

    Laura Belle said...

    Way to get your butt out there and do it. And I love the little bullets, pretty much exactly what I go thru when I run. Every. Time. (yes, i'm pathetic. it's ok.)

    And I can't wait to hear about the obstacle race!!

    Cat said...

    HAHAHA! Fluffy I soooo adore you. I seriously think you are my new favorite blogger (shhh, don't tell Draz!) I love the picture with the "This is what I told myself I looked like" and "Reality"

    Also loved that you were concerned about your hair because of people you know! So glad you got out there and kicked this goals ASS!

    Rhonda said...

    Sounds like you were kicking booty!

    And I love that you post all of your accomplishments up here. Gives me hope for my exercising future! :)

    Shannon said...

    great job getting out there and doing it!

    Nella said...

    thats amazing! so well done and in that hotter than hell heat - wow! keep on rocking baby!

    MandaPanda said...

    Great job on the race!

    I think changing goals are different than bailing on them. For instance, I set a goal to do a 10k and half marathon but I found I don't really like running just to run. To me, that's a legitimate reason to find different goals. Now I'm working on a Mud Run and then the Warrior Dash next year. Something that will actually motivate me (hopefully).

    Justawallflower said...

    I completely agree with you. This is exactly why I posted about my boot camp tonight. I totally would rather stay on the couch and watch a Prison Break marathon with my husband, but I've already told everyone. If I don't do it, I will have to explain why. And staying home to watch something I have on DVD is not a valid excuse.

    Beth Ann said...

    Just another reason why you are so awesome! It is so freaking hot out there, you just can't expect to run your record times. But I get it! My 1 year anniversary of my first 5K is coming up and I plan to run it again. I'm SO thankful it was in Kentucky and not Texas!! :)

    ♥ Drazil ♥ said...

    Woohooo - so proud of you!

    Dani said...

    Very impressive-way to not give into yourself!!! I think the posting makes you feel so accountable-good stuff:)

    Vanessa said...

    Great Job on the race!