Monday, April 7, 2008

Olympic Victories


"Treat every accomplishment as if it were an Olympic victory."

I can't remember where I heard or read that (sorry to whatever wise person had such a great statement), but I think of it often, and use it equally as often when someone else is having trouble seeing the accomplishment in each and every small step of running.

So this weekend I had my own Olympic victory. I think I even earned a Bronze Medal in the Turtle Division :)


I headed out just after 6am for a solo run. I wasn't daring enough to plan to go *long* by myself, but I figured a medium distance run of 6.5 miles would do the trick.

As I headed out the door, the battery bar in my iPod was flashing red (crap!), as I was walking to the corner Garmie beeped loudly and told me his battery was low too..........so as I started my run, it was anybody's guess who would die first: my iPod, Garmie....or me :)

I am more than happy to say we all made it home alive and in tact ~ and again, feeling like a rockstar. I ran the entire 6.5 miles ~ only stopping for a couple seconds at stop lights (I am a law abiding citizen, you know...).....and oh yeah, I did take a nice walk break at the 3 mile mark to eat a Gu and take a good water break.

It was also at that point where I had a nice, long talk with some body parts. After 3 miles, my arm was screaming at me that it didn't exactly like the tank shirt I had chosen for this run. Apparently after the winter, it's time to get the ol' arms reconditioned for a bit of exposure rubbing ;) So I had a little pep talk ~ c'mon arm chub, it's time to get with the program! I covered the raw spot with the armband from my iPod (a big initial OUCH) and trucked on.

It was slow, and wonderful. It was another olympic victory for me. A continous, 6.5 mile run. Yeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwwww!!!!

After my post a while back about conquering the half marathon distance, Jeff asked me how I would know when I conquered it......how would it feel? And I had thought about it then when he posed the question, and thought I knew....but Saturday's run reaffirmed for me. I will just know.

This Saturday, I conquered 6.5 miles. I knew within 5 minutes of the start that I would do it. I could feel it. It's just something in my gut.

Now that doesn't mean that the next time I head out for 6.5 miles ~ or even less ~ that I just might not get my butt kicked. A one-time-conquering of the distance doesn't give you a lifetime guarantee.

It just means for that distance, on that day, at that moment ~ I win.

My hope is that all my running friends will experience their own Olympic victories this week. Dont't overlook them ~ they are right under your nose.

Happy Running!

18 comments:

E said...

Yay! Way to go! I love runs like that. Are you still up for the Pat Tillman run?

Jeff said...

Good answer, Poke, good answer!

Jeff said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wes said...

Savor the sweet taste of victory! It won't be your last!!! I like stopping for a stretch break once in a while, especially while cycling. It just seems to rejuvinate my muscles!!!

Bev said...

That's all so true. If we can give ourselves a few more pats on the back, we might just feel better about ourselves and do better in all areas of our lives.

Hey I have a challenge for your arm chub. It's push up contest time. Come on over.

Anonymous said...

Well that is what I call a "Hell Yeah" moment! Well done.

:)

Chief Wahoo said...

Congrats on your victory!

And thanks for reminding us all to enjoy our victories as well!

Yasmin said...

Poke, you're right. I had a PR this weekend and my first thought when I saw the clock wasn't, carp I'm fast, but, I was really hoping to be under *insert time here*.

That lasted until my husband told me how awesome I did. It's all in the perspective.

Nancy said...

YOU WIN!! I love it.

This quote reminds me of one about spouses. Always greet them like they have been gone for two weeks, even it it's been 2 hours. :D

I wish you were here so we could run together.

Viv said...

I am glad you all three made it back in tact, but especially you!

Way to own those miles, you champ!

J~Mom said...

Sounds like someone is ready to train for a marathon in the fall!

Carly said...

Nice Job!

Pssst...You have been tagged to do the 6 word memoir. :)

IronWaddler said...

Woohoo!!! Great job-what a feeling.

Brianna said...

Congrats on your victory! I love the pep talk you gave your arm. :) We all need a bit of coaxing sometimes!

Laura N said...

Yay you! What an inspiring post. Great job.

Robert Barker said...

Great job, Pokey. Victories are everywhere we just have to find them.

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!!!!!!

Mendy said...

Awesome job!!!!! Really, you did terrific and should be so happy for it. 6.5 miles with no walk breaks is amazing. You will conquer the half distance soon!