As I get into the subject at hand, it was just last year I was seeded highly as an elite athlete in the half marathon and had to withdraw for-you guessed it-an injury! Since then my feeling about being an "elite athlete and runner" have ebbed and flowed and I found myself thinking the other day-what exactly are the qualities that make a proverbial "good runner"? . On the surface, it's an easy question to answer-a fast person. If you think a little deeper, it gets fairly more complex.
In order to qualify as an "elite" in any given race there's certain criteria to be had; some races have easier or harder standards to meet. Based on my experience running in the elite categories in the Houston Marathon events, although you're still running among the masses, it does feel different being somewhat "set apart". This 'other level' seems to have implications-as often faster runners (and I categorize myself very loosely there)-seem to be viewed as super-human. Or are they? Super talented? Yes. Human? Of course. Hard working and dedicated? Absolutely.
But if we look deeper there's more to being a "good runner" than fast times and various "benefits".I believe that you don't have to have to have a shoe contract to necessarily be a "good runner".
Who's to say you (the reader, that is) is not a 'good runner'? Or the busy parent managing a household or a job who rises well before sunrise to religiously do the work? What about those who continually surprise themselves and their coaches by achieving new PR's and defying old beliefs about what they can do? I see a big component of being a "good runner" is the mindset. These people continually make the best of what they have: ability, structure, time, opportunity-wise. Good runners understand the principles of training and work consistently to improve and are ok with not getting results right away. Good runners understand that bad days will come just as the good days Good runners believe in themselves; experience lapses in this belief, but maintain their core view of themselves. Good runners embrace opportunities without questioning them. Good runners possess a fearlessness and willingness to get out of their comfort zone. These qualities are some that many, can't fully explain, they just are.
Good runners see this sport as a process. Good runners understand the sport and themselves as athletes. Regardless of competitive level, I pose the following questions:
Are we still good runners if we fail, if we don't ever see our "potential"?
Are we good runners if we get beat or never win? What about running a slower race time than expected?
Are we still good runners if we don't meet all our goals? Ever?
What about if we get injured?
What if I never get a college scholarship?
What if I didn't run in college?
What if we cease to be "good" after a long layoff?
What if nobody ever tells us that we're good?
Does it really matter?
You know, there are so many different answers to these. And since this is my small space carved on the internet-I propose a simple theory about what makes one a 'good runner'. You are a good runner if you think you are. You are a good runner if you are realistic and embrace the gift of the run and make the best of your ability. You are a good runner if you take risks. Good can mean speed, consistency, in adhering to training, making the most of what God gave you athletically- or combinations of all these things. Some good runners are fast, some are strong, some are consistent, many have fun. Mentally, if you think you are good at something, it's a whole lot easier to improve and meet your potential (of course maintaining touch with reality!).
You are a good runner if you refuse to accept mediocrity-day in day out!
So, rambling and philosophizing aside, there really is no one true answer for what makes a runner good. A lot of it lies in our heads. Some will be faster, some slower, but we see a constellation of intangibles, that I believe cannot be taken away. I know I'm a good runner-I have a small amount of natural ability-but I believe I am. I may never reach every athletic goal I set out to do, but I'm still a good runner. Open-minded (on a good day-LOL!), fearless, and willing to take risks. I probably always will be. How about you?
Stay the course.
8 comments:
Very well put and congratulations as well! :) Sometimes we get "caught" inside our heads and can become our own worst enemy. Half of the game is mental!
I really, really feel like you wrote this for me! I seriously just got choked up reading this! Just the thing I needed to read, and will re-read it before Saturday! <3 See you so soon, bestie!!!!!
Great post, A!! And so true! I don't know if I will ever be an elite, but I do know that I do my best most of the time and in the end, that's what is important, at least to me.
If I never meet my goals, I know that I had fun trying so all of the hard work has been worth it!
It's so interesting to hear it from your wise perspective. I think that's a great way to define it. And the fearless portion of it is probably the toughest. I envy those who inherently have that!
This was well written.
In my opinion, it takes awhile to see if your good as something. When someone decides to venture into the endurance world, they spend a season or more comparing themselves to others. Which isnt fair to them. Once you stop comparing yourself to others and see what you are capable of doing, then you tend to see your strengths.
Fantastic post. I agree that if you believe in yourself and if you believe you are a good runner, then you will be. In a sport that is very numbers-focused, it's easy to see things in black and white and ignore all the wonderful stuff that the numbers don't always reflect.
I love the way you worded that and I absolutely believe you are correct. A good runner gives their best day in and day out, when things are smooth and when they are rough.
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