Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Peace, Love, Run!

I love running.  I love making time in my day to do something for me.  Something that makes me a better person, inside and out.  I love the way I feel after a run.  I love getting my vitamin D while sweating buckets and getting that runners high.  I love seeing my progress on the treadmill day after day, week after week.  I love running races and I'm not gonna lie, I love the t-shirts and medals and expos.  I love having running buddies, giving running advice, reading, writing, dreaming about running.  I love how my tight my calves are and how nice my butt is starting to look.  I love that my pants are more loose and I love all the compliments I have been getting on how I look.  I truly love being a runner.

I had forgotten why I love running.  I ran 3.1 miles yesterday on the treadmill.  I beat my 5k PR by a few minutes and was disappointed in myself, because I compared myself to someone else.  I know that I am a slow runner and until this past week, I never had a problem with it.  My goal for my first half marathon was to finish and I wanted to run all of my second half marathon.  I did.  Now of course my next goal should be to improve in my time.  But I have to remember, I have to beat MY time.  Not someone else's time. 

Today is Ash Wednesday.  I am not religious but I like to use Lent as an exercise in self discipline.  When I was a waitress I gave up potatoes for Lent and ended up losing 10 pounds.  I couldn't think of what I wanted to give up for lent this year, I'm already eating pretty well, so I decided to give up...FACEBOOK.  I usually use Facebook to spread the word of my March of Dimes events, so I'm asking for your help.  Will you share my March of Dimes link on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter?  www.MarchforBabies.com/amandart 

Why do you love running?
Do you compare yourself to other? 

Do you give anything up for Lent?

8 comments:

  1. So funny - my hubby & I were discussing last night what to give up for Lent... and he suggested Facebook! You are a brave girl! Good Luck!

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  2. I love running for all of the reasons you mentioned. And yup, it is so important to be racing against yourself and do you own PR and not worry about anyone else's. Great job! :)

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  3. I love running because of the sense of accomplishment after each run. I also just love being in motion.

    Unfortunately, if you're a bit competitive (as most runners are) you can't help but compare yourself to others. Heck! I even compare myself to the elite runners wishing upon wish that I could hang on their shirt tails and feel what it's like to run so fast.

    As for Lent, no giving up anything. I'm not Catholic, I'm Methodist.

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  4. FB is a great idea! WOW!

    I told myself I am going to stop comparing myself--I love learning from others, but I have to be okay with not being as "fast" as others!!

    You have my wheels spinning on this exercise in self-discipline...

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  5. 10 pounds just from giving up potatoes? Wow! I have been trying to focus on adding things to my diet or taking in a certain amount of something per day (at least 30 grams of fiber and at least 90 grams of protein). The focus on doing instead of not doing has been helpful. I really do want to lose 10 pounds, actually I want to get back into my size 12's. I miss my clothes! Even with the running and the Jillian Michaels, I am still eating too much and it shows! Maybe I should give something up for Lent...

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  6. I have SUCH a hard time comparing myself to others, because I am slooooooooooow. I will never run a sub-4 marathon. Heck, I would have trouble running a sub-5 marathon. My legs just dont GO that fast, you know.

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  7. I run because it's a relaxing getaway after a day full of 60 ten year olds. And, because it makes me feel better about myself.
    When I first started running again I didn't compare myself to others, but when I started reading blogs all the time it got a little out of control. Sometimes I have to run without my Garmin and just run to feel good. Those are definitely my favorite.
    Thanks for being number 100! : )

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  8. Hey, I gave up potatoes this year for Lent too :) love ya girl!

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