Tuesday, October 28, 2014

What Running Has Taught Me About Life

It's Tuesday and I am linking up with host, Jessica Joy and Jill Conyers for their The Fit Dish Link-Up every Tuesday.

Today' s topic is "What has your past taught you about living today?". There are many things that my past has taught me about living today, however I will focus on how running has taught me about life.

Here is what running has taught me about life:
Your views can change - I remember when I hated long distance running. Back in high school 400 meters was long for me because I was a sprinter. I never imagined doing a half marathon. But when I knew I needed to get into shape, I turned to running to keep fit. I found a new love and went with it and 11 half marathons later I am still loving it.

You will have good days and bad days - When it comes to running, you can have awesome days where you feel fast and strong or you feel like you can run forever and it is so easy and amazing. Those are the days that you love, but then there are days where you feel horrible and wonder "why am I doing this?" or your legs feel like lead and you just can't seem to move one foot in front of the either. You just need to realize that with running, you just can't predict how your run will be. There can be lots of factors that can affect your running like tiredness, time of day, or what you eat. Whatever the factor, there will be not so great days and then there will be better days, and you should not let the bad days get to you because there are good days and they always usually make up for the not so great days.

You have more in you than you think - When it comes to training for races, I have found that you shouldn't really look at the times in your training runs because when it comes to race day, you will run faster than you normally do. Whether it be from the excitement and adrenaline, all the people, the crowds and cheering, whatever it is, you will run faster and it will feel good. I'm not saying this happens for everyone but for the most part, most of you will be amazed at what you have in you, especially on race day. 

You can still eat bad food and do well - I know there are some of you out there that follow a strict diet, but me, not really. I have always thought that in order to do well in running you have to only eat healthy foods. But that's not the case. The exercise helps so that you can eat some bad food. It's all about eating in moderation. I was never really a fan of veggies especially when I was younger. I had no trouble eating chicken, beef, noodles and rice as it was what I liked and grew up on. But now I do eat veggies mostly everyday and I do try to eat "healthy". However, what I am saying here is that you can still eat some unhealthy food in moderation (like ice cream, cookies, donuts, or chocolates - I'm really into Dark Chocolate Bark Thins and Brookside Dark Chocolate Clusters right now, so yummy!). Don't deprive yourself of something you love. I don't think I would enjoy life without eating yummy treats. So, I say enjoy treats, as long as you don't overdo it. Moderation is the key and you can still do well on your runs!

If you work hard you can achieve your goal - I have found that with running if you work hard you can achieve your goal. I remember back in 2005, I ran my first half marathon and my goal was to finish. I did and it was a memorable moment as I never thought I would ever do a half marathon and I did it. I finished in 2:20:03. A year later, my goal was to PR and get under two hours and I did, with 1:59:41. So with hard work and determination I reached my goal and was so happy. Even now, I am still working hard with each workout and training run. In my last two races I have PR'd. It's pretty amazing because I feel like I am in the best shape I've ever been. Hard work and determination definitely brings great results.
Last Sunday's Perfect 10 miler where I PR'd!! :)
What has your past taught you about living today?
What has running taught you?

33 comments:

  1. Love this post! And great job getting that under 2 hours goal! amen to some good days, and some bad. sometimes I feel like I can fly, and other days it's sandbag legs. oi. And those bark thins look amazing, and great job finding the right balance for you! Thanks for linking up! @thefitswitch

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  2. All so very true! Running has taught me that I am so much stronger than I think I am!

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  3. I recently found joy in running so I love your outlook on this. Thanks for sharing! And I, too, like those Bark thins. I had a peppermint flavored bag one time and whoa were they good. I love peppermint stuff though!

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  4. Nice job!!! That is an awesome time for a 10 miler.

    Strict food consumption is really hard for me & I think actually causes me to eat worse. Eating whatever you want in moderation has made me a much happier mom & wife ;).

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  5. Thanks Jessica!! The bark thins are yummy! No problem, your link up is awesome!

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  6. That's awesome! Thanks for visiting Betsy!

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  7. Awesome that you found joy in running! Ah I haven't tried the peppermint flavored Bark thins. Sounds yummy and perfect for the holidays coming up!

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  8. Thanks Elizabeth! Great to hear that eating in moderation has made you a much happier mom and wife! :)

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  9. There are certainly good days and bad and sometimes I have no idea why

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  10. Those bark thins are ridiculously amazing. I have a bag in my cupboard that i am afraid to open :)

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  11. Lovely post. Too funny, I just tried my first Brookside dark chocolate pomengranate bag today - tasty. I haven't tried Barkthins - probably something I would like.

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  12. Thanks Sherry! That is great! :)

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  13. I hear ya! But yay for the good days right? :)

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  14. Yeah Brookside makes good stuff...probably because they are Hershey (I know this because they handed out the Brookside candy after the chocolate tour when we went to Hershey Park). :p

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  15. Love the focus on what running has taught you. It's life changing isn't it. Nice job with the PRs! Thanks for liking up to #dishthefit!

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  16. Thanks Jill!! Running sure is life changing! Thanks for co-hosting #dishthefit! I enjoy this link up! :)

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  17. Everything in moderation... great lesson!
    And congrats on the PRs!

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  18. Great list here! I cam really relate to " your views can change" I threw shot put and discus in high school and HATED running. If you told me then I would be doing half ironman's in my twenties I would have laughed.

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  19. Amy @ Miss Adventures in RunniOctober 29, 2014 at 3:33 AM

    Great post! I definitely agree about the goals. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would run a marathon. I really do feel ready for the Philadelphia Marathon, less than a month away. I also agree about the food. I just couldn't do Paleo. I need my treats, too. Moderation is definitely key.

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  20. Yup, what a big difference time can make. Pretty cool that you were a thrower in high school! And half ironman's now, awesome!! :)

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  21. Thanks Amy! So cool you will be doing the marathon, I'll be doing the half. I just haven't got the guts to do a full marathon yet. It's on my bucket list so I'll get around to it eventually. :)

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  22. Great post Sharon!

    I loved what you said about not focusing on times so much on training runs, and not worrying about the final time on race day. SO many factors can come into your performance, it's great to prepare for them and be careful about eating and whatnot, but when it comes down to it, even racing with something over your PB shouldn't matter. It's more about the health benefits of the training and your healthy, active lifestyle that'll make you a real winner!

    Love it! Keep up the great work!

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  23. Thanks Jennifer!! You are so right! Thanks for visiting! :)

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  24. These ring so true to me as well! I am always reminding myself and my clients that if you put in the work and really set your mind to something, you CAN do it. And I am totally with you on practicing moderation with those treats. I often joke that I exercise to support my eating habits ;)

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  25. You are so right about the good and bad days! I still feel like I can't "call" how my run or race will be until it's over! I also agree, I never train as fast as I race. I want to but for some reason I just can't get moving as fast for as long when I'm training! Nice post :)

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  26. I can so totally relate to this post.
    I loved running in high school too, and yep I was the sprinter. Then I hated running. It took over 10 years for me to enjoy it again.
    It all started because I saw running as the epitome of being fit.
    And while a marathon doesn't interest me (I love my half's), I will continue to run, because I love it.

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  27. Right on! Haha, sometimes I say that I run to eat as well. :)

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  28. Yeah, I think it might be all the people in a race and adrenaline that pushes us to move faster for a longer amount of time for races. Thanks Diane!!

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  29. I hear ya Matlida! I haven't done a marathon yet either (I love half's too) but I just may as there are so many inspiring stories that I am really thinking about doing one. Great you love running too! :)

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  30. I love this post! A few of those things are also lessons I have learned in the past. I love that you also enjoy eating "bad food" I used to wish I could be a perfect eater/runner. But I love to splurge every now and then, and I don't feel guilty at all about it!
    One thing the past has taught me, we really can do anything we set our minds too. Sure it's going to be hard work, but the fact is, we can do anything if we want to. What an amazing feeling it is to work hard on a goal, and then achieve it!

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  31. You are so right! It is an awesome feeling to work hard on a goal and then achieve it!!

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