Happy Marvelous Monday! I hope you do not mind my lack of contact over the last week, but you can follow what I am up to through my #100happydays on Instagram! I will be back on Wednesday!
Note: I wrote this on Saturday evening, my thoughts have changed a little, but I thought I should share my raw, unedited feelings, rather than making it seem like I am always positive….. I too, am subject to negative thoughts, and hold myself to standards that are sometimes unattainable.
I am still cherishing every second with my dad, but while he is “napping” in the chair, I thought I would get my race down on paper blog to reflect on how it went today before I get too scared to write my true feelings.
Before I begin to assess, please keep in mind that running is SO relative! I hope I do not come across as a brat, I know a lot of people would literally kill to run what I did today, but I would literally kill, okay, maybe not literally, but you know what I mean….to run in the Olympics. I am being honest here, and this is my most inner thoughts out on paper my blog, I hope it does not come across as arrogant, but it is as much for me as it is for you to take a sneak peak into the inner mind of Tina Muir…..a scary place!
Firstly, I am very proud of my result in this race for a number of reasons:
- I finished 3rd female out of 13667 women!
- I finished 41st overall out of 25587 runners!
- I never gave up. I continued to push myself as hard as I possibly could, and did the best I could on the day
- My stomach did not give me any problems (thanks Lindsay….Kombucha helped!)
- I picked up, and successfully drank water from 3 aid stations
- I managed to race totally healthy, which is astounding considering how I juggled four classes, working full time, and a ridiculous inability to sleep this semester. I honestly believe a big part of this is the introduction of Enduropacks into my life, as well as a nutritious diet.
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| Before dad left me, relaxed and ready….well, I thought I was! |
That being said, how could I not be happy with the race?
I felt horrible. From mile 1, all the way to the .1 at the end. Mile 4 was about the only mile I felt somewhat decent.
Warning; this part may make me sound spoilt! Please understand the reason elites are able to race at such a high level is by fine tuning those small details to get the race right.
I am used to the special treatment elites are given at races, and this race was not very friendly towards my usual warm up routine; I had to be stripped of all layers by 6:10am; I only managed to do one stride, I had to stand around for 10 minutes to get back through the security gates after my warm up run; and we were standing still in the packed corral for 30 minutes (including a 10 minute race delay).
I really appreciate how most events allow us to do what we need to do to be fully warmed up on race day to perform at our best, and I became even more grateful for those past experiences today. I felt very out of it the first few miles, as if I was sprinting, but really not moving very fast. It was as if my body had to re-warm up. I remained calm and worked with the groups around me.
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| Trying to remain calm early in the race |
I settled with a group for a little while, but when it came to the hills, I followed my plan of remaining conservative…..but ended up taking it to the extreme, and running a 5:54 5th mile. Immediately followed by a panic, and shift of my attention away from relaxing into a pace, running by feel….towards my Garmin, and getting my average pace back under 5:40.
For the remainder of the race, I obsessed over my Garmin, checking the average overall pace a few times per mile, and becoming increasingly frustrated as it seemed to be stuck on 5:40. I was hurting from mile 6, and I really did not enjoy the race as I felt so bad. Somehow 5:30-5:40 miles allowed me to catch a female to put myself in 3rd, which was a slight confidence boost, but the 5 miles to the Boardwalk seemed to go on forever. I even whimpered “help me” to a man running past me at one point…..how pathetic!
As I turned into the finish, disappointed with my time, my finish, and how flat my body felt, I was pretty upset. A 1:14:29 may sound smoking fast to a lot of people, but it was well over a minute slower than what I was hoping for.
I have worked so hard this season, especially after what happened in November; I did my best to rest; organized my time so I would not be so stressed; and planned ahead to fit my training in around all the track meets without getting injured, but somehow it doesn’t feel like it was for anything worthwhile.
I ran a 40 second PR. I should be happy considering all I have on my plate, but I just feel so down about it, like I may as as well have just carried on as I was the first year, running, but not as focused. I know that was not the case, and this all builds for future seasons, but I feel as though I have nothing to show for my hard work. I KNOW I am better than this, I KNOW I am in shape to run some fast times, but I just cannot get it to translate to the races that matter.
It is so hard when I am on a ticking time bomb here in the States, my training indicates big things on the horizon, that I am ready to earn that Great Britain Jersey, but I cannot reach those precious times that will allow me to prove to them that I am an Olympic hopeful!
Please help me feel better, I know I have a lot to be happy about from this race, but I am such a good racer, I give my heart and soul to my racing, but do not seem to be rewarded with the results I feel I deserve.
Note: This is the end of my inner post race thoughts, I am leaving it as it is, but now I have had time to reflect a little, I am feeling better.
So I do not come across as a grump, lets make this a criticism sandwich shall we?
It was nice to be presented with my 3rd place award, meet Karla in real life 🙂 , and have a good chat with Craig and Jason from Enduropacks! Oh, and my time was an Olympic Qualifier for the 2016 marathon trials! If only I was an American citizen and could race it…..or Great Britain had a set standard like that!
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| Finished my cool down onto the beach, enjoying the water for a few minutes |
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| Shows the finish, not a bad sight huh? I was too tired to notice when I finished though! |
As many of you have wondered what it is like to be an elite athlete, here is a video that Enduropacks took of me racing through Go Pro! Now you can see what life is like when you feel terrible in a race, but have to keep pushing through that pain barrier….doesn’t look too different to anyone else right? 🙂 We hurt just the same as you! Note: click the settings on the video and make sure you watch it in HD 🙂
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFSZZYBay8s]Have you ever stretched yourself too thin, and noticed your running paid the price? Do you ever write down your thoughts immediately after a race? Did you race this weekend, how did it go?
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103 Comments.
Tina – where to begin. Please Please please do not worry about whether or not people will think of you being stuck up or spoilt from your time.We all have goals we set for ourselves, and when they aren't achieved or up to our expectations, it sucks & we get aggravated. However, I want you to know, you did great. There has never and will never be a doubt in my mind that you won't make it to the olympics one day. I truly do believe you will, and if I'll be sitting at home w/ a sign cheering you on.. or heck maybe I could even convince Joshua to take vacation so we can come watch! Just keep your head up high girl (like I know you are), and focus on what's next.
Tina you are wonderful and an amazing athlete! It does suck when we feel like we could have/should have done better, but this isn't the end. This is what your body allowed you to do that day. Embrace it and make yourself even better! XOXO
Tinaaaaa! I'm so glad you decided not to edit your original thoughts. You did not sound spoiled or grumpy or anything negative. You sounded humbling. As someone who struggles to get through three miles, it is really encouraging to read about you having the same struggles (just at a very different level). The feeling you described having at the beginning after your sub-par warm-up is how I feel almost every run. Not only is it relatable, it has me thinking maybe I should do a little more to warm up than just walk to where I'm starting my run. All that said, I'm so glad you're feeling more positive about it now. As a perfectionist academically, I SO know that feeling of expecting more of yourself. Like you with running, I know people would kill for my grades, but it can be hard to see past our own expectations. I hope you're taking some time to be PROUD of how talented and mega-fast you are. You're doing all the right things, and I know it will show the way you want it to in races soon. xo
Tina you are amazing! That said, yes I know what it's like to stretch yourself too thin. I may have done it once or twice or 100 times! I'm beginning a new training cycle soon and I'm hoping to keep my focus with a half PR as my only goal. No challenges or new strength training programs. I know what I need to do. I just need to do it. You will reach your goals! Like you said, you KNOW you can do it!
you overcame more obstacles than you realize in that race! You did very well, but i totally understand the discontent. Rest that brain and body. Next race will be better!
Tina you are amazing.. You did your very best (those are your words) so you haaaave to be happy about that! I understand holding yourself to higher standards but I do think you should be very, very proud.
You are so so so correct – running is all relative. I totally sympathize with every ounce of your feelings. I hear you on every level of this. Finishing a minute slower than you wanted means everything to me – I get it! I may run much slower than you but I experience the same up and down feelings throughout races even though I am not looking to be an Olympic runner. Be proud of yourself for pushing through and for finishing third. You are amazing. And the whole feel like you are sprinting but the pace doesn't show it? Ugh, so get it. We are human. We can't program ourselves to compete exactly how we want and really, even our stupid computers which should be programmable, aren't perfect….I do want to run this race next year though, I looked into running it this year at the last minute and it was sold out.
First off, Tina, you should be so proud of everything you accomplished this weekend, including the very fact that you got through it! I find it interesting that my PR in the half also came from a time when I definitely spread myself too thin–the 48 hours before the race involved 2 plane rides for a total of 14 hours spent in the air and 2 time zone changes. Oh, and I “tapered” for my honeymoon whilst walking my legs off around Europe, lol. But that is when your training truly shines through, and your body actually outweighs your mind–the entire second half of my half was a struggle for me (thank god for running coaches at the right time!), but for once, it is body over mind not mind over body!
Congratufreakinglations, and have the best time with your papa!
Tina, you are amazing! Everyone sets high standards for themselves or we wouldn't achieve more or reach the highest level we can be or want to reach. But at the same time, balance should be involved. Tenderness and being gentle to ourselves is a must and they are also skills we need to improve and work on. Loving ourselves is important. We do the best we can at the time we can and that's exactly what you did. No need to be hard on yourself, you rock!
First off I want to say congratulations on winning 3rd overall female in a race with over 20,000 people–that is a HUGE accomplishment! Don't feel that you're spoiled or anything like that…you are an elite athlete and you have high expectations for yourself, we get it! It sounds cliche but this is a learning experience and you'll make sure you have what you need for warming up at your next race. You work so hard and you'll definitely get those results you deserve, keep your head up! I know what it feels like to stretch yourself thin. I had a half marathon a couple of years ago but did too many races in that spring leading up to it, and ended up having a bum knee and a disappointing finish time. But it's all good! I hope you do make it to the Olympics one day…you qualified and that's awesome!!
I don't think you sound spoiled at all. At this point, I choose races based on whether there are elite benefits available. When warmups and prerace are as critical as all the miles that go into it and the race itself, it's just achieving your potential. Great run nonetheless. Cherish the PR, then onward and upward.
Tina, I think you are amazing in every single way!!! Maintaining the level of training that you did while being in grad school, coaching college track and everything else you had going on is phenomenal. I know that lots of elites don't work and can devote the majority of their time to training and fueling!!!
The start sounds horrible for you – sorry that it wasn't better geared for y'all to take off fast. For most of us, a big warm-up isn't super necessary for a half but for ann elite it definitely is since y'all run so fast!!!
Congratulations on 3rd place female – that is incredible! And your PR is super!!!
BTW – Saturday while I was running 11 miles with my 13 year old I told him about you and that you were running a half (we are training for his first half!!). He asked how fast you would run and I estimated 1:15 – should have gone lower on my estimate!!
And, you are entitled to feel frustrated and to vent all of your feelings – I think it is the best way to process after a big race (or any event!).
Congrats on 3rd and a PR!!!
I do not think it comes off as spoiled or otherwise – you are an elite for a reason you should receive special treatment on race day. Brooklyn really was just chaos. I was running to make it to my corral for the start at 7 and was running this race with no expectations – had I planned to race it would have killed me! But, I think it is important to realize at whatever level you are at – we all still have these moments newbies to elites where we do not perform how we want. Thank you for sharing your genuine thoughts with us.
I almost started my blog after a bad race last year, just to get my thoughts out! I wrote the post, but never published. It's so brave as a runner to put your thoughts out there like that – people get so mean and nasty sometimes because they say we should just be proud of what we do rather than expecting to do better!
I love this post. I love your honesty and your sweetness. Anyone who has read you for any amount of time would never think of your words as being anything other then honest. This is WHY I read your blog – to get the elite perspective and you have delivered. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this right now. I know what it's like to feel like you're training hard enough to get different results. The best advice I have is to stay the course and I have zero doubt you will attain all your goals!
Tina-Congrats on a great race, fellow hurricane!! I know that you are disappointed and I can completely relate to that feeling. Running a pr but being disappointed/frustrated/PO'ed because you know that you CAN do better. We are our own toughest critics and the hardest on ourselves. As an elite runner, you dedicate SO much time, passion, and heart to your training and want it to shine on race day. Your emotions are valid and don't feel bad about having them. It just shows how much you love the sport and want to be the very best that you can. As time passes and you begin to reflect on the race (after those immediate post-race emotions have subsided) and you will realize that it was a very good effort! You mentioned being thrown off your pre-race warm up routine…and that makes a difference! Although that situation was not in your control, you now know how to plan a little differently for a hectic-not-so-relaxing-and-focused situation in the future. Keep you head up, trust in your training, trust in YOU. Use this experience in a positive way and get ready for the next one! I know you will reach those goals that are so deep in your heart, just keep fighting 🙂 Congrats again!
Katrina Spratford
Tina, first off let me say, you are so amazing! Congrats on an awesome race. And don't worry, I don't think anyone thinks of you as a brat! You are an elite runner and training for the olympics, so you have to be tough on yourself and really push your body. I love that you set such high goals for yourself!
Okay so I am one of those people who would literally die and go to heaven if I finished a hald marathon in 1:14. But I also totally understand that running is relative. It is You against You, its one of the reasons that this sport is so challenging. You have expectations. You time-goals. And when you don't hit them that can be devastating. I think you are doing an amazing job balancing everything you have on your plate. And your perseverance and performance inspires me!
First of all, not arrogant at all. I think it's important to voice our goals because that makes them more real and good for you for having such an awesome goal to work towards. I'm glad you reflected on the race. I've never done that but what a good way to put things in perspective or learn from a race that maybe didn't go the way you wanted it to. You're such an inspiration Tina!
I really respect that you published your unedited thoughts Tina! I know what you mean about how running is relative. Everybody is different! Even though you're not very happy with this race I hope you are still proud of yourself and especially your body. It's so amazing what it can do with hard work and proper fueling! Remember that the bad races/runs just make the good ones that much better 🙂 <3
Great job on your race lady! I love hearing your inner Tina! I understand how that could be an issue… to run those speeds you definitely have to be warmed up and it stinks that they didn't understand that! You are amazingly awesome in my book though! (:
Amazing!! Congrats!! You don't sound arrogant, everybody has different expectations and if those are not met, you are disappointed, totally normal. I hope you will have a better race very soon!
First and foremost, CONGRATS on 3rd place female and for finishing an amazing race.
Secondly, I give you HUGE props for posting your thoughts. (Yes, I would kill for a 5:40 mile…even if I could have that pace for one mile…for 13.1 is AMAZING.) BUT with that being said, one of the best things about running is that it is such a personal sport. I know it's a struggle to compare your own best run to a race run when it's unfortunately not the same. Not having a proper routine to start can certainly throw anyone off…elite or not, so I certainly do not think you sound spoiled or bratty! I think anyone could understand that!
I think you are amazing and definitely believe the best is yet to come. I am cheering you on!
Wanting to do your very best — regardless of how it compares to any reader's– doesn't even kind of make you spoiled. That same drive that makes you this hard on yourself is what makes you the amazing, dedicated athlete you are! So don't apologize. Also, you mentioned the main problems behind the race — the stress and lack of sleep of the last couple of months. So now you know what to improve to do better in the next round. You'll make it.
I think you did a great job but I can totally see how frustrated you are/ were. And it's okay to have these thoughts. You worked so hard and in the end it didn't pay off. You have every right to be upset especially when you feel you didn't get what you needed to warm up properly. And the next chance will come and then you will blow them away!
Tina, congrats on an amazing race. And it was amazing! The fact that you kept pushing through when you felt like crap is pretty incredible … and just imagine what you will be able to do on a day that you are feeling fantastic. Keep your head up girl. You are a rock star! Every race is a learning experience as you know … and chance to get stronger and better. P.S. I will trade you my 1:39 PR if you'd like for yours ha! 😉 LOL! xoxo
I completely appreciate the raw feelings of all runners and don't feel any of us should judge one another based on time. You did great and are chasing your dreams. Go for it! And thanks for being honest.
Congrats on being the 3rd place female in this race! I've found that finishing a race with regrets fuels the fire for my future training and races. That's probably how it will be for you, too!
Tina, I love that you pushed yourself the whole race even though you felt crappy. I love your spirit. I don't think anyone could think this sounds spoiled. You train at such a high level and hold yourself to such a high standard. I totally get being frustrated when race day doesn't go as well as you hoped. And I love that we got to meet IRL! My friend just send me the pic she took. I'll send it to you! Congrats on a great race and a PR, despite not feeling your best. Can't wait to see you at the Olympics in two years!
I LOVE how honest you are in this post – you don't come off as arrogant at all. I'm nowhere near elite level, but I too know how frustrating it can be to get a PR, but still not have the race go as expected. I can also see how having less-than stellar starting conditions could poorly affect your race. Keep your chin up and keep putting in the work and I know you'll have the kick-butt race you've been waiting for.
You are always my running inspiration! You are not sounding spoiled or anything in this! It's the raw feelings we can all relate to, and it's nice sometimes to see everyone has those days. Congrats on your time, even though it wasn't what you wanted. You still did amazing!! And a PR!!
Tina – I understand your perspective and don't think you need to apologize. You are an elite athlete and are on a completely different level of training and racing. I think purging your thought and emotions is brave and necessary for you to move on from this race. It's a brand new day with a brand new life for you. You have what it takes. You can do this.
I totally get it, Tina!! I've had races like that… it's very frustrating, even if it is a “good” time! Our biggest competitor is ourself, and when we know what we can do and don't do it, it's so hard!! We take the lessons we can from each experience and use it to make the next one even better!
yep yep I agree with everyone else.
YOU ARE AN ELITE RUNNER and on such a different plane than many.
So proud of you for both graduating and doing so well in the race even though you felt terrible. You are such an inspiration! I definitely agree our biggest competition and criticism comes from ourselves. I can't say I journal after races but I do write my thoughts every day though – I try to focus on something positive that happened the previous day, so when I go back and revisit, it is a catalog of positive experiences I can relive.
Wow that's really impressive! You obviously work really hard and should be so proud. Nothing to be ashamed of here. Have a great day!
Oh Tina, I'm sorry you felt had such a bad race. Everyone says Brooklyn is such a fast course, but that long flat on Ocean Parkway is just brutal – I'm actually relieved to hear elites like you think it's tough as well! Way to push through the pain for an awesome finish.
I'm sorry things didn't go off so well, but you are SUCH an inspiring runner and what an amazing finish despite not feeling your best! Congratulations to you. 🙂
You are amazing!! I'm so sorry the race didn't go the way you had hoped but you are inspiring many on your journey. I like your honesty about the race and concerns. Hopefully the race directors will take them into consideration for next year. FANTASTIC job TINA! That video of you running is crazy! You really get to see your speed!
You beast! That's an amazing achievement–congrats to you! Very happy for you. I'm sorry you weren't where you wanted to be, but I think you are incredible and have that jersey in your sights!
I have been a victim of stretching myself too thin, that's for sure, however……….. I haven't in awhile because I tend to learn from this. I know that if I stretch myself too thin, I become way too stressed for words and then go into a cave… So I have taught myself NOT TO DO THAT!!!
You're a machine, a super speedy amazing machine!! I'm sorry you didn't get the best treatment, but it didn't slow you down much at all. Seriously, hard work paid off!!
You are so inspiring… congratulations on a great race, even if it wasn't exactly what we were hoping for. You rock 🙂
Don't beat yourself up for feeling disappointed. It doesn't make you a brat. I'm sure that all of the changes that you have started to make since November HAVE helped. I know that running is your life, but I am struck by the fact that you never know if a run will FEEL good or not, no matter how awesome you are at it. This one just didn't feel great, but this doesn't mean the next one won't. Congratulations on placing AND getting a PR!!
This is absolutely incredible. Congratulations on such an amazing time and achievement. Like they say, take the good runs with the bad. I constantly have to remind myself of that.
Tina, thank you for your honesty and candor. It really is relative and the pain and the push is real to that person on that race day. Congratulations on your achievement and I hope you achieve all that you hope to! To truly appreciate the incredible ones we all have to taste the bitterness of the difficult ones.
You went forwards by a lot! You raced a bad race (for you) – full of problems. So this shows the bottom end of what you can do. And it was a 40 second PR. It definitely shows you that you can run much faster. You don't have to doubt it. This bad race proves it!
But random factors happen. You just have to keep grinding and it will come to you.
In ice hockey, your team can make a lot of great plays, get great shots on goal, but they just don't go in. But the smart money bets on the team that creates those opportunities. When they keep it up it is inevitable that they will score, and more than other teams in the long run.
You're nearly there. Don't trip at the finish line.
Tina Tina Tina!
You are amazing at what you do; there's no need to feel upset! Everything was working against your favour, and yet you STILL managed to PR. That itself is the biggest accomplishment.
I am so proud of you and can only wish I could have your legs.
Hey, if you ever decide to sell them, I'll take them, okay?
Congrats on your PR and 3rd place finish Tina! I know it wasn't the race you were hoping for, but if you can PR in a bad race just think about how much you can PR when its a good race! You are amazing!
And you do not come across spoilt or arrogant at all! When you know you are capable of more it is so disappointing when you can't get it done in a race, any runner elite or not can relate to that.
Good luck with your training, keep pushing, I definitely see the Olympics in your future!
congratulations on an amazing race!! You are an elite runner and it is amazing that you did that with all of the other things that you had to balance! You did great and you should be so so so proud of yourself
Well done Tina! You're a true inspiration. We all have those days when we criticize ourselves. It's incredibly brave of you to reveal those feelings…after all it's only natural.
I tend to use those days to my own advantage and they help me push forward and not give up.
Keep up the good work and best of luck!
Thank you so much beautiful lady, that is such a comforting message. Thanks so much for your support….if I did somehow make it, I would really hope you guys could somehow make a vacation there 🙂
Thank you Rebecca, you are so right, I am working on that right now. You are so wise for your age, it is amazing!
Thank you so much my friend. I am glad I was able to show you that the world is not all sunshine and rainbows. That was a horrible run, and I have not felt really good since actually. You are right about the academics side, I can understand that, and I was pretty similar in that way too…..maybe not just quite as impressive a degree as you 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂
Thank you so much my friend. I know you struggle with this too. I am going to do everything I can from here to prevent you doing this in the future! Thank you for your support! You will reach yours also!
Thanks my friend, I am doing my best to rest up. Still feeling pretty tired, but my time off is coming in a weeks time so that will help.
Thanks Erin, that is very true. I am happy, the more I look back, the more I can see I should be proud 🙂 Thanks for putting things in perspective!
Thanks so much Meredith! You are right, and I am glad you can see that everyone feels this way.. You are right about perfection, we are always striving for it, but realistically it does not exist! You definitely should do it, but be ready to sign up on the day as it sells out FAST!
Thanks so much Suzy! That is crazy, but I guess sometimes that is how the world works! I guess maybe it took the pressure off you! The mind works in mysterious ways huh? Thanks so much, I had a wonderful time!
Thanks Amber 🙂 That is very true, makes you become better as you continue to push. I do not appreciate my body enough for what it does, and I need to. Thanks so much for your kind words!
Thanks Janelle 🙂 The more i think about it, the more I realize just how cool that actually sounds. You are right, I did learn a lot from it, and I know what I need to do to be better. I am sorry to hear about that end to your race, but I am sure it will make you stronger for the upcoming ones 🙂
Yeah, you are right. It makes more of a difference than you realize, but true, a PR is a PR. Thank you 🙂
Thank you Kim, I know you know how much this meant to me, and yeah when I compare myself to others, I know I do a lot more. I am so excited about you talking to your son about me, that makes me feel so special 🙂 Hope you are feeling better about yourself too!
Thanks Gianna, it is good to see that others were frustrated with the way it was set up too. You are right, but I think that is part of being a runner….we are always striving to be better 🙂
Yeah, it is definitely a great way to vent….usually I do not post my true thoughts, but I think this time was good for people to see that I am only human. You are exactly right about always wanting to be better, I think that's what makes us reach those goals….even though not exactly when you first thought!
Awww thank you Allie! You always know how to make me smile, I hope we can meet someday! I am feeling better now, not physically, but have moved on from being annoyed. I will focus on Chicago now and come back even stronger 🙂
Thanks Katrina, not only are you a fellow hurricane, but I think we warmed down together once at nationals…cant remember who with though! You are so right, and I know you understand, but thank you, I will take that advice in. I am trying to rest up more. What a lovely message to read, I really appreciate the time you took and the lovely words you wrote. Good luck to you in your next race too! #FindYourStrong 🙂
Thanks o much Becky, it is nice to hear that I did not come across that way. I do set very high goals, but it helps on those days I do not feel like running or am feeling tired.
Hehe, well you amaze me in other ways Krysten; you are such a wonderful, thoughtful person that I do not think your body could fit any more goodness in there 🙂 Your words are so right, and I need to keep that in mind. Thank you for making me smile 🙂
Thanks Ursula, I am learning that, and it is true, it makes you come to terms with your true feelings. Thanks for your lovely words, it is so nice to hear!
Thanks Leigha, you are always so supportive. I know you understand, and you have a long way to go in your future, I know you will go far. I love that last sentence, that is exactly what I try to keep in mind 🙂 Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Danielle. Inner Tina can be scary, but I am glad you were not too terrified!
Thank you so much Christine 🙂 I really appreciate that, and I hope so too! After some well earned time off!
Thank you Morganne. That really means a lot. I know you are very honest in your posts, and I am always inspired when I read them too. You are so right about running, and we need to stop comparing to everyone else or ourselves! I am always there for you too!
Thanks lovely lady 🙂 That is very true…..well I hope so! I am hoping I can work on those things to make sure I am in a better position to race well. Thank you for your support as always 🙂
Thanks Juli 🙂 That is exactly right, but thankfully I have now moved on, and I am looking forward. I hope you are right!
Thanks Jesica! It was not fun, but yes, puts it into perspective and gives me another reason to be proud 🙂 You are right, learn and move forward 🙂
Thank you Erica! That is lovely to hear, and I am doing my best to keep after them!
Thanks Tina, so true! Gives you an extra grit that you can fight through to run even better!
Thanks Karla, it was so wonderful to see your smiling face at the end even though I was grumpy! I love the pic, so cute, and I hope someday to make your comment be true!
Thank you Amber 🙂 That is nice to hear, and I can totally see how you would relate! Thanks for the kind words, and I hope you are right!
Thank you Heather! That means so much, it was good. I am just too hard on myself sometimes, but arent we all? I am glad you see I am only human, I am more of a worried than most actually!
Thank you Tara. I feel like it helped a lot actually, and yes, did help me move on. Thank you for knowing what to say….like always 🙂
Thanks Laura! You get it! You are so right, we need to learn to be more appreciative! although I think you have been with your pregnancy 🙂
Thanks Carla 🙂
Thank you lovely lady. I am trying to work on it, and your influence will be huge as you are such a positive, uplifting person 🙂 That is so true, I am doing the 100 happy days thing which is helping!
Thanks Deborah, I will continue to work hard! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Thanks Carly. It was brutal wasnt it? I think if you were feeling good it would be amazing, but if you are struggling, 5 miles straight is rough! Thanks for your support!
Thanks lovely, and today you joined the club of marathoner! Wooohooo!
Thank you Renee! It is a pretty cool video, It makes me look faster than i feel haha!
Thanks so much Amanda, I am grateful for the opportunity. I hope I did not sound like an ungrateful brat. I know when you are hurt it is so upsetting when others complain. Thank you for your support 🙂
I need to learn from your ways oh wise one! Where is this mysterious cave? 🙂
Thanks Tiff 🙂 It is starting too!
Thanks Cori 🙂 What a lovely message!
Thanks Amy 🙂 You are right, that is so true, and I find sometimes when I feel AMAZING before I race….I end up having a bad race. The world works in weird ways! Thanks so much for your support!
Thanks Theresa! You are right, I think we all do…..more than we should haha!
Thank you for your kind words Cindy! I love that quote at the end there! That is so true!
Thank you Rob, this was one of my favorite and most cherished messages after this race. How special you made me feel, and how much you put it in perspective. That really means a lot, thank you….and I will try and stay on my feet 🙂
Thanks Linda, that is a lovely message to read! 🙂 I promise if I put them up for sale, you will be informed first 🙂
Thank you lovely lady! You are so true, and I know you will be back stronger than ever! Hopefully we can both have great races in the near future 🙂
Thanks Nellie 🙂 Such a kind message, I appreciate it, and I am proud….just too a few days!
Thanks Olivia! That is so true, I didnt feel brave, but I guess it was good for others to see. That is a great point, and they do help you run faster 🙂 Thanks, and good luck to you too!
I feel your pain…although my fastest day will probably be your slowest day…it is okay to feel like you could have done better, even if your worst is someone else’s dream….I don’t see you as a running “snob” just being human at a “super human” running level =)