Reality

On my 2nd run, of the day, today I was brought back to reality.

This week, and for the last little bit I was thinking I am a good runner. I am good at weight lifting.  I am a great athlete. I've been a competitor for a long time, and done quite a variety of sports. This mornings run was freezing cold, but I felt great. No watch, no GPS just me and my Vibrams (and clothes of coarse) out for a run. It was awesome. After class today I decided to go for another, I didn't get quite enough in this morning. I was craving a little more. 

So, after getting home I got ready for my run. While I was getting ready I was thinking about things I wish I had done in my life up to this point. One of my thoughts was that I wish I would have run Cross Country in College.  You know, I was feeling I was good enough to actually do it. My last couple of half marathons I had either gotten 2nd or 1st place, so yeah that means I am good right? 

Well, while on this run, it was short, but my knees hurt a little so I switched up my running style and felt better. As I was on the last mile and a half stretch back home I was feeling real good. I hit a light about a mile from home and behind me comes two U of U cross country runners (you could just tell). When the light turns green we go, and they just bound ahead. Yeah I expect them to be fast, but it made me realize how slow I am. 

I did catch up to them at the next light, which made me feel awkward. Here they were in a t-shirt and short shorts, and there I was in a black long sleeve shirt with gloves, and running tights I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb! 

Oh wow, my dreams were crushed in those few minutes between lights (just with in a mile). 

I realized that I am just an average person. Just someone who is obsessed with running. Being obsessed don't mean you are good, it just means you really like it. I thought that because I work at Salt Lake Running Co it actually made me a good runner, but unfortunately it doesn't. It just means that I live running. 

Just because I am a pacer for the Halloween Half this weekend doesn't mean I am a good runner, it just means I got lucky to know the person who was in charge.

Reality is that I am just average. I am not a fast runner, I can just go long distances. I am never going to be a College athlete. I will always just be someone that likes to work out and who will always be asked the question "Are you a runner?" Instead of them recognizing that I am a runner by looking at me, and the fact that I do work at Salt Lake Running Co. 

I will always wish that I could be good, or awesome at something., but until I one day actually achieve that I will be out on the road chasing it down.