Lessons Learned--What is time anyway?

As Oprah would say," This is your ah-hah moment;" it is the moment that the fog lifts and things become clear. And I had one this weekend.

Throughout my years of running I had lost focus on what was really important--the fact that I was out there putting leg in front of leg in the fresh air. I was doing what so many do not, would not, or cannot do. However, instead of appreciating this gift, I was fixating on the unimportant--my time--to the point that it was hindering my progression as a runner.

I would always wonder why I was faster on my final long slow run before a race than during the actual race--it was because I was relaxed and enjoying my run rather than fixating on my end time. Of course my race pace is important to me, but I was making it too important. I am not an elite runner, and I will never likely be. I lost feeling the enjoyment of running and it became a chore to run. I even began appologizing to my fellow runners for "running too slow," at which they responded by saying, "We're not racing here. At least you're out running."

"Ah Hah!"