So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that when I ran by a group of guys and they clapped tonight it wasn’t because I’m on track to be the next gold medalist in the olympic marathon… mmm, not even a bronze medalist…fine not even in the race at all.I’m actually going to reel myself all the way back in and say that they were clapping because I was purple, absolutely drenched and essentially walking with an exasperated face that made it appear as though I was running.  Yes, they clapped because it was a spectacle and my dramatics were entertaining enough to merit a congratulatory gesture of sorts. Nevertheless, I got out there and haven’t missed a day on my new chain.  

On my way home from a race one morning, a fellow runner asked what my time was for the race.  I looked at him as if I were over the age of 40 and he had asked my age, as if I were the CEO of a company and he had asked my salary, or as if he had asked me some other question that should remain in the confines of the inquisitors mind.  I was ashamed.  I had done awful because I had not trained and on that morning hadn’t even attempted to try to fight through.   So with this anecdote in mind and the random guys mocking claps I could have been discouraged but instead my wise and loyal roommate’s words popped into my head…

If you’re training for something/anything, it would be in your best interest to become friends with my roommate.  With or without this blog and with or without my own desire to stick to a training plan, I know she’d help me get better at running because she selflessly enjoys bringing out the best in people.  I started training so that I would be prepared for my half and full marathons this fall, but when it really comes down to it, I’m training so that I will not only be capable of completing races of various lengths, but I will also be proud of my time when I cross the finish line.  And, in comes my roommate with the great idea to openly admit to my time on here.  Because if writing on here in general will help me, then tracking my progression will supersede all forms of accountability.  Plus, if I’m asking for support, how will anyone truly know how badly I need it if I don’t come right out and say it?

So as is true with any good relationship, I’m going to be honest.  Honest about my relationship with running, honest with you so that you can help me get faster, and honest so maybe you can utilize my experience to realize that you can get faster, too.  If I’m being honest, though, I might as well admit that I’m only revealing this information because I plan to improve.  So judgment aside, today was a short run, but check it out: 

Here is my starting point: I am running a 10 minute 34 second mile pace.  I want to be running an 8 minute mile pace so that I can someday qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Clearly, I have a ways to go, but it feels a little better getting it out in the open because it will only make each run feel like that much more of a challenge and accomplishment.

To reach a personal best you have to start somewhere.  While I hope to get faster than 10 minutes and 34 seconds per mile, I will only know by admitting that this is where I currently am with my pace, and continuing to get out the next day and try again.  Tonight as I hit “end workout” on my Nike+GPS app, Tim Tebow came on and said, “Hey, it’s Tim Tebow. Way to get out and grind tonight.  Just for that I may let you hold my Heisman.”  

Alright, Tim, I’ll be back tomorrow.

What I’m running to: My body- Young the Giant