When I started reading the newsletter I was a casual runner at best, since that time I have done a marathon and tomorrow I will attempt my first 50K. Thanks for inspiring me to race and fuck around and find out!
Love your perspective and your writing, Paul! I ran my first marathon in 2018 at 5:30. I was so proud about the fact that I just finished (still am!). By 2022 I had carved by time down to 3:25 and now, at 42, I'm looking at that 3:10 BQ time and wondering if I can get there. It's not even the time that matters to me that much but just the idea that I want to be able to stack all the pieces up together to give myself a shot at it. Might not hit the time this year, or next year, or maybe I'll never hit it -- but, man, I just want the shot to go for it.
Best of luck this weekend! I have a marathon out here on the west coast the following weekend with the similar goal of running a BQ. I’m a little nervous about going at the pace necessary (my BQ is 3:10) but came across a quote by Nelson Mandela that has eased my apprehensiveness (at least for now) and just go for it from the start. If I blow up, so be it.
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”
One of my favorite phrases is "I don't wish luck to those who don't need it" and this is absolutely the case here. PAUL...run easy, run happy, run with heart. We gotchu, friend.
Congratulations, Paul! So happy for you and excited to read about your experience.
I’m training for a marathon in June and have been appreciating your words of wisdom about running, especially as I start to feel apprehensive about my race. Thanks!
Thanks! BMO Half (yesterday in Vancouver) and Light at the End of the Tunnel full (June in Washington state, trying to BQ). Had crazy anxiety for no logical reason before the half, but the race went fine. Hope I can stay a little calmer before the full. I’ve got this! What you wrote about realizing that all you needed to do was to maintain the pace resonated with me. That’s going to be my mantra for the full.
Someone told me once that anxious moments before a race are just proof that we care. I used to fight those nerves (and make myself more anxious in the process), but now I just try to acknowledge them for what they are and who I am. I think I'd actually be worried if I didn't feel anxious before a race, especially when I've put so much into a specific goal, like getting a BQ. So now, I just make an effort to channel that emotional energy into a positive direction rather than fight it or let it overwhelm me.
Send it Paul!
When I started reading the newsletter I was a casual runner at best, since that time I have done a marathon and tomorrow I will attempt my first 50K. Thanks for inspiring me to race and fuck around and find out!
I couldn't possibly like this comment any more than I already do.
FULL SEND KATE!!!!
Got my first ultra tomorrow too. Sending all the good energy out to both you guys. Time to dig deep and see what’s in there. Good luck!
Go john go!
YES!!! Go crush it!
Send it, Kate!!!
Love your perspective and your writing, Paul! I ran my first marathon in 2018 at 5:30. I was so proud about the fact that I just finished (still am!). By 2022 I had carved by time down to 3:25 and now, at 42, I'm looking at that 3:10 BQ time and wondering if I can get there. It's not even the time that matters to me that much but just the idea that I want to be able to stack all the pieces up together to give myself a shot at it. Might not hit the time this year, or next year, or maybe I'll never hit it -- but, man, I just want the shot to go for it.
Oh man, that is so rad. Just be like me and wait until you're 49!
Best of luck this weekend! I have a marathon out here on the west coast the following weekend with the similar goal of running a BQ. I’m a little nervous about going at the pace necessary (my BQ is 3:10) but came across a quote by Nelson Mandela that has eased my apprehensiveness (at least for now) and just go for it from the start. If I blow up, so be it.
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears”
Looking forward to hearing about your race!
I love that quote, Justin. You will not blow it. You will crush.
I did not know how much I needed that quote. Thank you @justin!
I'm super excited to see how this goes for you! No need for luck, just have a great race!
Thanks man. Somebody said, "Break a leg" to me yesterday and I was like, DUDE
One of my favorite phrases is "I don't wish luck to those who don't need it" and this is absolutely the case here. PAUL...run easy, run happy, run with heart. We gotchu, friend.
Let's go!
Congratulations, Paul! So happy for you and excited to read about your experience.
I’m training for a marathon in June and have been appreciating your words of wisdom about running, especially as I start to feel apprehensive about my race. Thanks!
As a wise person once said, "You got this."
Which race are you running?
Thanks! BMO Half (yesterday in Vancouver) and Light at the End of the Tunnel full (June in Washington state, trying to BQ). Had crazy anxiety for no logical reason before the half, but the race went fine. Hope I can stay a little calmer before the full. I’ve got this! What you wrote about realizing that all you needed to do was to maintain the pace resonated with me. That’s going to be my mantra for the full.
That's so cool. I love the PNW!
Someone told me once that anxious moments before a race are just proof that we care. I used to fight those nerves (and make myself more anxious in the process), but now I just try to acknowledge them for what they are and who I am. I think I'd actually be worried if I didn't feel anxious before a race, especially when I've put so much into a specific goal, like getting a BQ. So now, I just make an effort to channel that emotional energy into a positive direction rather than fight it or let it overwhelm me.
You got this.
Go get em, Paul! We're all going to be rooting for you! Excited to hear about your experience.
Thanks Tracey. Excited for this experience to be told!
Good luck! "Make it hurt!"
Time to get gnarly af Chris.
LET'S GO! You've got this, Paul.
yessir
Here's the results if y'all want to follow along!
https://results.raceroster.com/v2/en-US/results/b46eyzgty3dt7yhc/detail/ea2x2cd7wccpknsz
Unofficial time of 03:17:44.9!! BQ accomplished!!
Way to go, Paul!!
YES PAUL. HAVE FUN CELEBRATING TOMORROW. YOU EARNED IT.
Go get it!