Running Is Hard.

Yesterday was the New York City Marathon. If there's anything that inspires me to get my butt moving, it's watching super fit athletes push their limits as they try to accomplish goals that I will never come close to. 

After watching the leaders cross the finish line (via ESPN2), I immediately began thinking about my need to become faster. If I'm going to qualify for Boston, I need a serious plan. So, I Facebook messaged a super speedy girl from my triathlon club and began asking her an incredibly large and annoying amount some questions. All of the answers I got were pretty much things I already knew, but was scared to admit. And the overall summary of the responses was this, "If you want to run faster, you need to start running with people that are faster than you."

Sigh...

This is terrifying to me on so many levels. First, I love running with the girls that I run with. Our runs together are pretty much the highlight of my social life! If I don't run with them anymore, I won't be a happy runner. 

Next, my confidence in being able to keep up with super fast ladies is pretty much nonexistent. Last week I decided to try a solo 6 mile run at "Boston qualifying pace" and it was so hard I thought I might pee my pants during the last mile really challenging. So, the idea of lacing up for a run with complete strangers who can run that pace easily, is very intimidating. What if I can't do it? What if I hold them back? I don't want to be that girl.

So, I've decided that I'm going to work on my speed in the comfort of my home for the next month or so, and then maybe I'll have the courage to go out for a run with the BQs (this is what I've decided to call these super speedy ladies...It stands for Boston Qualifiers). 

Because here's what I've come to realize: Running is hard. Your pace is hard for you, and my pace is hard for me. We all have good days, and we have bad days (even the best professional athletes). So, I can either keep doing what I'm doing, or I can step out of my comfort zone and work towards something better. 

Sparkle.Pounce.Go for the great.

-Kendra