Where to even begin!! Let’s be real and say we all want to run strong and run fast, especially in our races. Sure, there will be days when running fast just isn’t going to happen, and other days when you are not feeling strong.
We can’t always be fast and strong in races, as much as we wish we could. I have learned this even more while in pregnancy. I never really fully understood it until recently, but I am basically running for two. You see those hashtags used by the pregnant runners all the time, I even use them, but I think we don’t often really see it as “running for two.”
Not only am I running for one, myself, I am carrying another human being. Even if it is small now, the baby is definitely there. As I get further along in my pregnancy, I will begin to notice the added weight even more, and this is where running strong and running fast might not be an option for me…..or will it?
Whether you are pregnant or not, we all have some type of obstacle or challenge we face when running. Maybe you are not running for two, but you may be running on little sleep or getting through an injury. Running strong and running fast aren’t always an option or so it seems.
I have begun to look at it differently. Even though I feel slower, I am still a strong runner just because I am out their doing it and once this baby is born, I will be an even strong runner.
Same goes for an injury or bad workout. Just the fact you are getting out their every morning or night and getting your workout done, makes you a strong runner. Eventually you’re going to feel great again, and it’s because you learned to embrace the hard runs, the slow runs, the runs you felt weak in. You learned to embrace the rest while injured and the added strength exercises.
Just because you are not running strong now, or you don’t feel fast, doesn’t mean you aren’t a strong or fast runner. Others may see you and be thinking “Man I wish I could be running like him/her.” Whether we notice it or not, we are strong runners, even on those days we feel weak.
Why? Because we are out there doing it. We are doing it when we are sleep deprived, sick, feeling slow and sore. We are doing it when we are growing another human being, when we are pushing strollers. We are doing it when the weather sucks and when our friends are out having fun.
This makes US strong runners. Maybe not fast on a particular day, but strong. You’re strong just for getting out there and doing it. In a couple weeks, months, years down the road this will make you even stronger and faster!!
I guess it just depends on how you look at running strong…..
As part of Run This Year guru, I wanted to remind you to make sure you check out Run This Year for the newest giveaways!! This quarter giveaway is awesome, with a free custom training plan to help prevent injury and run strong from Jason Fitzergald. And we are giving away shoes to one male and female at the end of May from Topo Athletic. Check them out.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
What do you feel makes you stronger? Do you think just because you are a slow runner at times, you can’t be a strong runner?
That a very good perspective and attitude to have when your beating yourself up for a “slow” run… you can always ask, “this run may have been slow by my standards, but was I strong?” I have a runner friend who is struggling because she is pregnant and her times have really slowed– I will share this with her…you’re so inspiring Bry!
Bry, this is exactly why I love you so dearly. You ARE a fast and strong runner. You have PRs to prove it. And I was just telling @runwiki that I could watch you run all day long, it’s an incredible site. So strong. SO FAST. But, that wasn’t my point here. I don’t love you dearly because you are strong and fast. I love you dearly because you love running and runners and being fit and being real and being kind. You are tough. You really are. But I love that you recognize when you feel “slow” and use that to encourage even us back of the pack runners to keep trudging through. You are so uplifting and inspiring. Thank you for this post. I needed it. I really did. I have to remember that even though I haven’t qualified, I am becoming a stronger and faster runner. And eventually I’ll get there. Thank you for this reminder. Love you, girl!
Vieve, I am glad I could inspire you!! We all have these days when we just don’t think we are as strong as we actually are. Thanks so much for your kind words!! I am excited to hear about your Mountains2Beaches experience. Keep at it, because you will qualify!!