The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This month’s word is TALENT

So what does “TALENT” even mean?

a natural ability to be good at something, especially, without being taught.

So are anyone of you runners “talented”?

But more importantly, does it matter?

In other words, if you have talent, you can be a decent runner. (Of course, “decent” is relative, right?) You may not have to run often or warm-up, or do drills.  It just comes naturally. You don’t have to work hard to get that sub 30 5k finish or sub 2 half marathon or even BQ.

Of course, in order to improve, PR, BQ, you need to be motivated to do those runs and drills, etc. For many runners, just finishing a race is good enough.  Just running for fun without worry about pace is perfectly fine. There are others who are driven and competitive. And your motivation can come and go. Your desire to long run long, run often or even sign up for races can change week to week, month to month and season to season.

And then there’s your attitude which I think overrides the other two. You know they say “it’s all in your head.” “It’s mind over matter.”  You could have the talent and the motivation but those paces just don’t happen. Those desired finish lines are elusive.

So when it comes to running, where do you excel?  Talent, motivation or attitude?  Which do you think is the most important?

For me, I think I have a little bit of all three.

Talent: I am not coordinated but I ran fastish even in my first year of running. (at least in my opinion…meaning that I ran a sub 30 5K). But I am not super talented. There are many in my age group who are much faster. I doubt that I will run a sub 2 half or could ever BQ.

29:30 – 2009 5k

Motivation: Again some here too. I try to get all my runs in each week because I do want to do well in my races and I do not want to get injured.  If I am part of a group, I will reluctantly do those drills (but never on my own.) I am not highly motivated because I will not get a coach, follow a plan, join a gym – all of which would probably make me a better runner.

occasionally there is a track workout

Attitude: I try to have a positive attitude about my running but I am often disappointed in my pace and the number of miles that I run each week. But I think that I have a better attitude when I race (though not always) and that has translated into successful racing.

Yes I will on my 3rd try have a course PR

Happy Running! Got talent? Please share your thoughts.

The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

This month’s word is FABULOUS

and not because I am eligible for medicare…LOL

So what does “Fabulous” even mean?

1. almost impossible to believe; incredible.
2. Informal. exceptionally good or unusual; marvelous; superb:

Why do I think I am fabulous?

Well, let’s talk about my athletic background.

NONE!

• As a kid, I did not play any sports and I was not part of any teams. I spent most of my time reading.
• As a teenager, it was the same. I had lots of friends and we had fun but in school I was a nerd and concentrated on getting good grades
• In college, still nothing remotely athletic.  I did a lot of partying but was good at multitasking so was able to maintain decent grades.
• After college, as a young married adult, I worked as a teacher. My hubby jogged (which I thought was stupid).  I did attend some aerobic dance classes … with a friend. That’s it.

Then mid-life happened and some difficult times.  My co-worker and I decided to learn to play tennis.  It changed my life at the time. I made new friends and met my 2nd hubby.

we only play tennis together once a year but have remained great friends.

At age 55, I still had not started running but two tennis friends put the idea in my head.  I laughed when it was first mentioned.

And now ten years later, I have run hundreds of races. If not injured, I run 30-40 each year.

a recent mid-week 5k in Brooklyn (while working in NYC)

I have completed 31 half marathons and have 3 more planned for the fall.

RnR Las Vegas HM

After every single half marathon finish line, I want to pinch myself.  I still cannot believe that I can run 13.1 miles.

One important thing that I love about running is that you are compared to other runners of the same age. It’s not about winning or losing (as it is in many other sports including tennis.)

I never take my pace for granted. For as you know, it depends on who shows up.  So I often win age group awards which impresses those who are NOT runners.

I am still proud of every single ONE.

winning 2nd in this hard hilly 15k

So I am not bragging when I say I am fabulous.

Because, I think that every runner that I have met in person or virtually is FABULOUS!!!

No matter what distance you run. Even if you never run a race. No matter how fast you run. Even if you never win an award. If you run, you are fabulous!!!!

I feel so lucky to part of this community!

Happy Running! You are Fabulous! Now tell me why…

The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

So I’m a week late…

This month’s word is BEAUTY

Is there BEAUTY in Running?

Of course…

• There’s BEAUTY in the scenery we get to see while we run….water, sunsets, sunrises, mountains, fall foliage, holiday lights, etc.

• There’s BEAUTY in the successes we achieve when we run…new distances, PRs, faster paces, age group awards, difficult courses, etc.

• There’s BEAUTY in the peace of mind and de-stressingthat we experience while running.

• There’s BEAUTY in the friendships that we forge as we become runners.

• There’s BEAUTY when we inspire/mentor other runners.

• There’s BEAUTY when we support a charity/cause by running.

• There’s of course BEAUTY in the bling, we receive when racing.

I could go on and one…

Yes, there’s endless beauty in running.

I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Is there BEAUTY in your running? Please share.

The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is Struggle

According to the dictionary, to struggle means: “to try hard to do something that you find very difficult.”

Yup.  I may be crazy but I have never DNFed in a race. And many have been a struggle.  It may have been because of physical pain, inadequate training, weather-related conditions and/or course elevation.  But I mustered through all of the above.

yes, this half was a struggle – first one after ankle surgery and foot stress fracture but I finished!!

I am not a natural athlete  I didn’t start running until I was 55.  And then only 5ks.  However, once I started running half marathons, I was addicted.  Why?  Because of the quote above. For me, every half marathon is HARD!!!

#27 was just as hard or harder than #1

happy faces post Shape Half Marathon

This PR half was 14 minutes faster than a tough one a few weeks before.

We usually don’t realize this until we are healed and have returned to running.

We learned how to avoid a repeat of the injury. Or we learned to love another sport such as swimming or biking.  Or more importantly, we learned to appreciate our ability to run.

backing to racing after a broken foot and so happy

I’m also linking this post with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Have you had any STRUGGLES with regard to running? Please share.

The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is Development.

This obviously applies to RUNNING.

How do we develop as runners?

Of course, we first buy running shoes and comfortable clothes and eventually we run a race.

the early years

Running is hard.  It takes a lot of effort.  We must work at it if we want to be a better runner.

Here are some things you could do (and you  don’t have to do them all):

• Have a (training) plan.
• Drink water.
• Fuel right.
• Be consistent.
• Learn proper form.
• Strength train (do more than just run.)

• Run with a buddy (better yet a faster buddy.)

• Do dynamic warm-ups before you run.
• Stretch after you run.

• Run longer once a week.

• Sign up for races of varying distances.

8k

• Get a coach.
• Do speed drills.
• Foam roll sore muscles. 
• Run on different surfaces.

• Track your runs.

• Take rest days.
• Run naked (no watch from time to time.)
• Improve your cadence.
• Join a running group.

And I do not do ALL the things that I’ve mentioned above but I do do many of them.

I think the work that I have put into running has contributed to my development as a runner.

A happier, stronger, more confident and yes, faster runner!!

I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.

Happy Running! Do you do all or any of the things listed?  Have I missed something that you do do?

The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is Victory.

There are so many ways to approach this word in relation to running.

We rarely run a race to win it.  But we do measure our victories against our own personal goals. Did we run without walking?  Did we set a course PR? Did we have a distance PR?  Did we tackle the hills?  Did we have a consistent pace?  Did we have negative splits? Did we run without pain when coming back from an injury? Did we cross the finish line? Did we have fun?

finishing my first race after not running for 5 months (post ankle surgery) = victory

substitute “victory” for “success”

occasionally I do stretch after a run

Sure, it’s easier to just run 5ks. And to many, running a 5k is a challenge. But if you are successful in completing 3.1 miles, why not challenge yourself – 10K, 15K, half marathon, marathon, ultra?

The challenge will be different for each runner.  For me, 13.1 miles is still a challenge even after 24 of them.

I will never forget that “exhilarating” feeling when I was heading toward the finish line of my first half marathon. It took me years to attempt that challenge but I’m so glad I did.

This is my favorite one:

It says it all!! No explanation needed.

we earned our medals!

I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner.