First congrats to all of last weekend’s racers! New half and full marathoners, PRs, BQs and priceless lifetime experiences galore. If you’ve got a race report I haven’t been over to read, let me know. You all inspire me. The second weekend in October holds a special place in my heart as both my BQs (Grand Rapids and Columbus) were run on that weekend. Actually it’s the first time since 2006 that I haven’t run a fall marathon. Oddly, that’s not bothering me at all. I think my body needed a rest. I could have done without the hip fiasco, but rest is good.
So about that hip: It was a light workout week with jury duty and all but, in addition to the ongoing hip/glute therapy, and quality time on the bike, I managed to sneak in a couple of painfree runs. I remain cautious but hopeful. I ran again this morning (geez it’s still so windy here) for a grand total of 16 painfree miles on the newly stretched, strengthened, and myofascially released hip.
Holy snails I am slow. And it feels so hard. I have a long road ahead. But I’m trying to be patient. Being able to run at all trumps all of it .
What was the highlight of your weekend?
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Thanks to all who entered and to Mark Matthews and Nutridel for sponsoring!
by: Marcia | Monday, October 17th, 2011 | 
Remember this hydrangea I added to the garden last year?
Here it is a year later.
It’s less full, the flowers are now pale pink instead of the previous, gorgeous blue, but most importantly, it’s still alive and kicking.
To be fair, I’ve transplanted this hydrangea twice in the year since I got it. Hydrangeas need a couple of years to set roots before you can really expect them to flourish. I’m thrilled it survived our harsh winter and I know the color is a result of the soil it’s growing in. If I really want the blue back, I could make it happen with some tinkering.
See? I cut it some slack.
In many ways, the hydrangea reminds me a lot of running. As runners, occasionally we reflect on where we were last year and compare it to where we are now. The natural inclination being we hope to go farther, faster, more often, and injury-free of course.
Until the past year, most of my running was done with one goal in mind: to perform up to the Boston standard.
My new goal is to be less beholden to pace, run for the sheer joy of it, and branch out into other sports…cycling anyone?…for a more balanced approach.
But old habits die hard. Sometimes I find myself still calculating pace and beating myself up, even though supposedly I no longer care about such things.
In running as in gardening, there are so many variables. Some within our control, some not.
Of course we can tinker with the plan/fuel/goals to achieve a desired outcome. But it’s more important that we find pleasure and enjoyment at whatever stage we’re at.
Today, my goal is to appreciate and enjoy that pink hydrangea and my running, just as they are.
by: Marcia | Tuesday, July 12th, 2011 |
me with: