53:45 unofficial. That was my time for the Veterans Day 10K race I ran. 53:45 unofficial. My goal was to knock off some minutes from my 10K last year. I knocked off about 5 minutes; I am happy about that. Yet my time was 53:45 unofficial.
I had a very good pace starting out. I actually changed my running style some months ago to conserve a bit of energy. It worked. But during the race, I stopped...three times to be exact. Once for water, the second time I am clueless about, and the third was because I really was tired (next time, I will stay off the late night movies and donuts before race day!)
But that was not my lesson. My lesson was that I needed to stay in a pack, run with other people to keep a constant pace. Why is that so important? Well, I, The Bassman, am a very successful introvert (at least I can be). I know how to be alone and be comfortable. I have noticed in the last couple of years that I work best when I work with others. That's just me. Trying to do it on my own usually jacks me up (for lack of a better phrase). Well, the first three miles of the race, I ran in packs. I would join one, then move up to another, and so on. Well, around mile four, I was strugglin'. And, I was running...by myself. So I tried to pick up the pace. I even began running beside a young lady, unbeknownst to her, to keep a steady pace. That worked for a while. But she kept going while my pace began to sloooowwwwww.
I finished though, 53:45 unofficial. I could have done better; I could have done worse. But I knew this. I ran my best when I was with someone. That was just me.
I have matured enough to also know that my life (spirituality, work, family, etc.) works best when I have others in it, holding me accountable. When I try to do it alone, I usually, USUALLY, jack myself up (for lack of a better phrase). How about you? Are there others in your life that help keep you accountable? Or have you tried to run ahead of the pack? Or maybe you work best by yourself-I don't know. I do believe that everybody needs somebody, whether you want to admit it or not. To back me up, there is this really great Bible verse that I was reminded of the other day: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
53:45 unofficial. What could it have been if I was running with someone else? Lend me your thoughts. I'm NOS in learning...
I would have never thought that you were introverted. I guess it takes one to know one. My husband is helping me with that. Coming from a big city you learn fast to keep your guard up. My children have also helped me with this as well. Now I am beginning to fell more comfortable. Every now and again, I do like to spend a little time by myself (learned habit I guess)
ReplyDeleteI agree that we all should have others in our lives who can help guide us as well as advise us. The important thing is that you looked at the situation and was smart enough to realize what you are able to do to make yourself better the next time, a lesson we should all learn..I think your next 10k time will be 49:36 OFFICIAL TIME!!!
ReplyDeleteWe all need someone to race through life with.
ReplyDeleteTruly in my private life I am an introvert. Being a social worker and active single mother, the alone time is rewarding and silent. I tend to believe that when I am alone I can hear the word of God better and have a personal conversation with him. I guess he is who I would run with. I like to challenge myself and hold myself accountable to my ever evolving standards.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the blog it really is interesting to read. Good luck with a non-violent class, it will be rewarding for them.
Erica