Quick to forget « This Runner's Trials

21Oct/1012

Quick to forget

How many of you have participated in a hard race? How many of you have said after a challenging race that you’re never competing in a that distance EVER again?

Then how many of you quickly forgot about the pain and found yourself browsing for races days after the event?

I have! And I bet most of you have, too.

It’s so amazing how we can forget pain so quickly, move on, and challenge ourselves to do better.

After I DNF’d, I was pretty sure the feeling of failure would linger for awhile.

Monday’s uplifting run changed my mind a bit. But I assumed the DNF experience was going to consume my thoughts until I redeemed myself by finishing a marathon.

I was wrong (shocker). Physical pain isn’t the only kind of pain we forget about fast. Somehow, I’ve seemed to make peace with the DNF and find myself moving on from it. When I remember the race, I don’t cry. I just think “what can I learn from this experience?”

Yesterday, life pretty much resumed as normal:

My appetite came back. I was able to eat nut butter for the first time in 3 days! That may have been my longest hiatus ever. No joke.

I went on a fabulous 7 mile run. I had no plans for this run. Seeing how I may not have a race, and I certainly have no goal, I just wanted to run well for me on that day. I ran it at 8:19, my old goal marathon pace. I guess my legs really do like that pace after all.

I got the best kind of therapy: retail quality time with friends. The wonderful folks at Lululemon hosted a blogger night in their Charlotte showroom.

We got to model clothes, consume wine and snacks, do yoga, and socialize with old and new friends.

Thanks Lori for the picture!

I know I’ve said it a million times before, but I am so lucky to be part of the unparalleled, awesome blogger community in Charlotte. I heart these girls.

I even saw Katie for the first time since we were in Chicago back in August. Crazy! And I got to wish Jen good luck on kicking the Marine Corps Marathon’s booty next weekend.

I also may have invested in some running clothes as a consolation prize for my DNF. At least that’s how I’m justifying spending so much...

Thanks so much Lululemon! It was fun evening

What have you been quick to forget?

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Comments (12) Trackbacks (1) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

thebettylife
October 21st, 2010 - 08:47

7 mile run – thats impressive! I am just starting out running and looking around for tips to improve my stamia

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runningwithsass
October 21st, 2010 - 10:13

glad you feel better!
Oh I do that all the time! Tis past half was so brutal and painful and I almost cried several time sin the last 3 miles…but I am running another one in 9 days! hhaha!

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the dawn
October 21st, 2010 - 10:35

YES! i’m usually more inspired to sign up for races after a less-than-stellar performance than i am if i meet my goal. when i hit my goal i feel like the work is over and then i get lazy. but when i still have something to prove to myself i’m more excited to start training right away….crazy how those minds work huh?

good friends and new clothes seem to make everything better. glad that the appetite is back and you’re feeling strong!

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Pure2raw Twins
October 21st, 2010 - 10:49

It was great seeing you again, Lululemon party was great. Have a great day. Lori

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Lauren
October 21st, 2010 - 11:22

Haha, this is the story of my life!! The only way I got through XC was telling myself that if I finished a particular race, I’d never run again. And then of course I had the same thoughts after my first marathon. While I took some time between marathon #1 and #2, I didn’t really think about how awful that first marathon was during my training — I was just pumped to have another shot!

I’m glad to hear you’ve gotten your appetite back (that’s huge!!) and that your running mojo has returned as well. Sometimes it seems like the best runs happen when there’s no pressure on yourself.

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karen
October 21st, 2010 - 14:18

Glad you are looking forward to the next race! I had a less than stellar 1st marathon and completely rocked the 2nd one. You can do it! Funny story.. In my 2nd marathon, I passed a couple running together. As I passed them at mile 22ish, she says “if I ever suggest doing a marathon again, please shoot me”. LOL. I wonder if she got over it and did another one…

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adriana
October 21st, 2010 - 16:34

I dont’ have kids, but I always hear from women that do that child birth pain is easily forgotten

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Becky
October 21st, 2010 - 18:22

I love those runs when everything just comes together for you and you’re out there purely for the joy of running. I’m glad you had that!

I always forget the pain of a race and remember the good parts…then I start researching the next one!

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Lindsay
October 21st, 2010 - 20:47

It’s so amazing how quickly we can forget pain & move on to bigger challenges. I love it!

Great to meet you at the Blend last night!

Linds

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Anna S.
October 21st, 2010 - 22:52

My dad swore he was never going to run another marathon again after the Disney Marathon in 08. Six months later he decided he was going to run nine marathons in 2009. He did it. It taught me never take say the word never when it comes to racing.

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Corey - The Runner's Cookie
October 22nd, 2010 - 08:43

That’s a beautiful outlook! And I think it’s very common for people to say they’d never race again after a bad race (it was my mom’s “last marathon” about 4 marathons ago). I’m feeling you’ll have a big comeback race soon

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Kelly
October 23rd, 2010 - 10:19

Every time I have finished a 1/2 marathon, I swear that I’ll never do a full. I have obviously forgotten about that!

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