Is it just the time over the distance, do we focus on beating our times for every timed race we participate in?? Do we take into account that every race is run under different conditions - weather, hills, hormones and your general feeling.
On Saturday I participated in the 10km Sun Run. I'm struggling to get used to using the word 'race' when I'm such a slow runner :) I would dearly have loved a personal best, but as this was my third 10km race and the previous two had been flat routes and I knew this one had a few hills, I knew a pb was out of the question.
But being a goal setter, set myself a goal to come in less than 70 mins. I achieved that goal - 1.08.54.
Did I set a personal best?? No, I didn't set a personal best with my time but I did set a mental personal best.
The last 10km race I'd laid down on the grass afterwards and had a cry that it was too hard and I wasn't going to run 10km every again.
On Saturday, I finished the race, wandered around and enjoyed chatting with the other runners from Run Club.
So, yes, that's a personal best - I'm winning the mind game!!!
And do you know what?? I got to run with my husband and my daughter participated as well. She's a trooper, getting up at 4am and coming out with mum and dad. I think the medal and a nice brunch is a good incentive.
It's a really good question isn't it? When we first start running the 'records' fall on a regular basis. After a while, it becomes more difficult and we have to set tougher and tougher goals to get that same 'high'.
ReplyDeleteWell done on your 10kms Sue. You finished the round in style as usual, and probably feel more confident with running a 10kms. To me, that is the most important thing. What price do you put on experience?
That is the best for a person :)
Congratulations on an excellent round. xxx