Cheers for others
Happy 3 day weekend guys! Three day weekends when Monday is the day off are my favorite, because the following work week whizzes by!
Not training for any races has me kind of bummed out. (I’m hopefully starting fertility treatments soon so I’m not focusing on racing.) I’m a competitive girl and love running fast. So just doing what I want- and not following a training plan- isn’t always fun.
Yesterday, I set out for an easy 5 miles on the treadmill. But the girl next to me was running at a 7.0 speed, so I decided to take it a bit faster to kick her booty. (I am not the only person who does this 
). After a warm up, I kept the pace between 7.3- 7.5. I was feeling strong so I ran the last mile and a half at a 7:30 pace (8.0). My “easy” run ended up being 5 miles at 7:54. Oops! And it honestly didn’t feel hard. I started thinking what speed I was really capable of…
I went home and started searching for a race in the next couple of weeks… and then I realized I was being stupid. You don’t have to race to be a runner. Cutting back right now is what I need to do to achieve my real goal. I’ll race fast again one day, and my reward won’t be making it to the finish line; it will be kissing a little baby after I make it through the finish chute.
Then like magic I got a text message. My friend Brittney completed her first marathon! She did well and had a positive race experience 
This completely lifted my spirits. I get such a thrill knowing others achieve their running goals. I was literally giddy with excitement knowing she did well. (I am so meant to be a coach… one day )
In fact, despite not being in training mode and missing a few runs this week, it’s been a great week for running in my world. Four of my friends ran their first marathon this week!
Heather got into distance running after watching me run the Disney marathon two years ago. Well, now she can call herself a Disney marathoner!
Kelly also ran Disney, and is already making more 26.2 plans! I ran one of her first long runs for Disney training back with her in August.
Karen earned her Mickey medal last weekend, too. And rumor has it she’s thinking of tackling 26.2 again next month!
And Brittney ran Charleston yesterday! When I met her last year, she had not even ran a half marathon. She has come so far!
I am so proud of my friends. Go congratulate them! Completing your first marathon is such an accomplishment
Do you live vicariously through others when you’re not racing?
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January 16th, 2011 - 10:56
Yay! So many wonderful people achieving their goals! Love it.
I LOVE watching races! It gets me super motivated for my own race schedule. I need to start volunteering at more races. It’s so much fun and so inspiring!
January 16th, 2011 - 11:34
haha I love that you were racing on the treadmill. It’s so fun, right?! Even though those poor gym goers really have no idea what they get into when they step onto that treadmill next to you.
Also, I bet you can go faster than you even know. I’m telling you — do enough runs at a sub-8 min pace and that WILL become your new easy (or at least comfortable pace). I totally believe you have that in you.
BUT…I know that’s not what you’re focusing on right now and I fully support the mentality that you don’t have to run a race to be a runner. I know many runners who NEVER race. I think it’s awesome that you are focusing on being so excited for your friends who have recently completed races (congrats to all of them!!). I definitely do this. Sometimes I find being a spectator and cheerleader is even more fun than racing (all the excitement of the day without the suffering, haha).
January 16th, 2011 - 11:38
I love coaching! Watching and helping people meet their goals is an incredible feeling…much like crossing the finish line yourself!
January 16th, 2011 - 11:51
Thanks Jen! No definitely not tackling 26.2 again next month but I definitely want to in the future! :0)
January 16th, 2011 - 11:52
I had a blast at Disney….the Disney Marathon was a great experience!! :0)
January 16th, 2011 - 11:53
wwweeee def had freezing cold flashbacks looking at that picture! glad it wasnt that cold this year! thanks for all your encouraging texts during the race!
January 16th, 2011 - 12:23
“my reward won’t be making it to the finish line”
^^
SO true.
It’s easier to know we can more or less control a reward (ie training for and then finishing a race) — but life events are such a challenge to wait for. They are always worth it though …
January 16th, 2011 - 14:59
Hehe I sometimes use other people at the gym to push me too
Whatever works! I think you’re smart to focus on what’s most important to you right now, and it’s great that you’re able to channel your love for running into being happy for your friends in their accomplishments as well.
January 16th, 2011 - 16:07
What an inspiring post, and inspiring girls! I can’t wait until I can call myself a marathoner.
And you are right, you do not have to race to be a runner. I’ve been running for 6 years, and have only done 4 races!
January 16th, 2011 - 16:24
I always find that I push harder on the treadmill than on the road. I think it’s to combat boredom!
I have been feeling anxious with no races coming up and miss training. I think I’m going to register for RaceFest half in Charlotte in April just to have something on the books. I will run it for fun, not for time since I don’t have time to train hard enough to PR right now.
YAY for all the first time marathoners. I have loved following their training and races!
January 16th, 2011 - 18:35
Thank you so much for the shout out. You know I probably wouldn’t be a marathoner without you Jen. You were the one that started me down this road last spring with that email asking if I’d like to run with you sometime. So much has changed in a year. I never would have thought I’d run a marathon EVER this time last year! Thanks for always encouraging me
January 16th, 2011 - 19:21
Those treadmill races are my favorite. Every treadmill run turns into a race! Too bad the other gym goers have no idea…or do they?
Congrats to your friends and fellow runners! Cheering for others is always fun and rewarding. One of my favorite races of 2010 was Lauren’s marathon. Haha! It’s great to be able to support others.
January 16th, 2011 - 19:25
I’m currently starting my running career with races as my goals! I’m hoping to run the Grand Rapids Riverbank Run 10K in May and maybe even the Disney Half-Marathon next January! Your blog (along with a few others) are so inspirational to me! Maybe soon I’ll be able to ‘catch up’ with all of you!
January 16th, 2011 - 19:38
My favorite are treadmill races against boys. I get such satisfaction out of running faster than guys!
And I never knew how important cheering for others was until my two amazing besties followed me around all of wisconsin during my long day of ironmanning. Now, I try tolive vicariously through friends as much as possible, giving them as much support as I can!
January 16th, 2011 - 19:49
After running my 2nd half in Disney last week…and then actually getting to see people running the marathon…it made me want to do it! Not to mention the Mickey medals!
I have plans to run a half in May and a few other races throughout the year (5Ks, 10Ks and 10 milers), but want to sign up for my first half – just trying to decide between Chicago in October or Disney World next year!
January 16th, 2011 - 19:57
You’re racing the girl next to you at the gym….you make me laugh!
January 16th, 2011 - 20:21
My friend Bridget (who convinced me to run my 1st half) ran Disney last weekend and I was freaking out while tracking her stats. I was so proud of her accomplishment. I definitely live vicariously though other runners. I think that is why I like reading running blogs.
January 16th, 2011 - 21:35
haha I always try to run people off the treadmill : )
I ove being a spectator and cheering on friends. I’m done with the marathon distance for awhile and will probably be done with racing for a bit after March so I’m all for supporting others!! Nice job on your fast run!
January 18th, 2011 - 15:33
Yes thats why I started reading these blogs, I lOVEE race recaps!! I have started racing a little myself but I love living vicariously through the running blog world.
January 19th, 2011 - 11:44
I love having fitness goals too. I certainly lived vicariously through others’ exciting fitness goals while I was pregnant!
January 19th, 2011 - 22:11
I feel the SAME way! I love cheering for my friends and sometimes get way more excited for them than myself, especially those first time marathoners!
January 20th, 2011 - 11:18
i live through other people even when i am racing
i love to cheer on those who start the journey towards running marathons! its such a great feeling.