Saturday, August 16, 2008

Some are good and some are bad

Some races are good and some are bad. I'm amazed at how some mornings when I go running I feel like I can barely run a mile and other mornings I have endless energy.
Last Saturday was one of the bad ones.

(They weren't kidding about running in hell!)

My mom and I ran the Garden of Eden 10 miler in Eden, Utah. The race started at 8:00 am, it was already beginning to be hot. The course had no shade and some pretty killer hills, oh and only three water stops, which sounds like enough but when I hit 8.5 miles with the sun shining on my face I could have really used some water. Needless to say this race kicked my butt. I had had a cold all week, so I took the week of from running thinking my legs would be fresh and ready for Saturday. Wrong. They felt like jello. I ran as hard as I could with the current conditions and eventually finished the race not able to run another step. Although I didn't do as well as I would of liked, I'm glad I did it and pushed through to the end. Some races just don't go as well as you would like.


My mom is such a champ! I'm so proud of her for finishing the race! My grandparents came to watch us finish. How cute is my grandpa?

Then there are some races where you feel great!


A week after the Garden of Eden 10 miler I ran the No More Victims 5k race with one of my favorite friends Lindsey.
This race was completely different from last Saturday. I woke up with my legs feeling tired from the week of running I had already done. I wasn't planning on trying to run my hardest, I was going to take it easy and just finish this race. But when we showed up to the starting line Lindsey told me about a dream she had about the race and I couldn't help myself, my inner competitive side came out and I had to give it all I had. The 3.1 miles flew by and when they were over I felt like I could have run ten more miles no problem. Some are bad and some are good.

It was so much fun to spend the morning with Lindsey. She is one of the funniest people I know. We had a great time.

She woke up with a nasty cold and still ran the race like a champ!

The 5k benefited children who suffer from abuse. I was impressed with how well the race was organized and well supported.

BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) as well as the Red Hats Society were there to cheer all of us on!

Lindsey won something from the raffle!

We cheered so loud when her name was called! We were so excited.

Thanks Lindsey for making me run this race and inspiring me to run hard! I had a fantastic time and I can't wait to run it again next year.

Both races were a good learning experience for me. I'm such a perfectionist, hence I want things to go perfectly. When things don't perfectly I can get pretty discouraged. But I am slowly beginning to learn that it's ok when I fall short and don't perform as well as I would like to. I coming to accept that races, days of teaching, trying new recipes, whatever it may be...that SOME ARE GOOD AND SOME ARE BAD and that's ok!

16 comments:

Sara said...

Ok, you and your running totally inspires me! I started training for a marathon once...but never made it past seven miles. Darn! Maybe one day! But you are AMAZING my dear! Keep up the good work! Oh, and no I have not finished the book yet. I know I should just sit down and finish it, but part of me is not ready for it to be over yet! So I have kinda been dragging it out. I love the Twilight series too much!

Monica said...

good for you laura! that first race you talked about sounded so tough. i admire you for your strength. i love that your mom is running too! that is so wonderful. how is it being back in slc?

Sarah M said...

Lindsey told me got the second best time overall in the CJC race. saawweeet. You rock.

{littlefam} said...

It was a fun morning with you - laughing at everything from "blasts from the past" to dirty old men in yellow "shorts"! You seriously are an inspiration to me - you are an awesome runner and an amazing friend!!!

Bobbi said...

After the Xterra yesterday we were talking about "what's the point" of all this, really?...We decided that although Heavenly Father doesn't care about how strong or fast we are He does care about our character/spiritual growth. We decided that's the point. Good race or bad race it doesn't really matter. It's the spiritual growth (not the muscle growth) that counts. I'm so glad you have figured that out! I hope my little runner follows in your footsteps!

Anonymous said...

You are an inspiring runner! Congratulations on doing so well!

katherine said...

you are a MAY Zing ler. really, way to go on all your running accomplishments! and 2nd place overall, really, you can brag about that sis! and ps, i hope that the first day went well today, can't wait to hear about the kids, their funny names, and the ones who picked their nose at their desk, or whatever other little funny things they do!

Lacey said...

lar, that is so awesome. well not your bad race, but that you placed second overall! seriously you are amazing.

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I just wanted to make sure you all knew that I wasn't second overall; those men are so fast! Don't be too impressed. I did get second woman overall. Who knew? I was just feelin good that day so I went with it.

Amanda said...

this is a great analogy for all of life...

you are so great to keep running even after having a 'bad' race.

why was it called run in hell? in utah? that's hilarious.
did you get a t-shirt that says it?

Jen Vincent said...

I think if we didn't have the bad races we couldn't cherish the great races! I think it's awesome that you were able to finish the race even with the heat and everything. My last race was a bad race...the cow manure smell along the way was the worst. Great job, 2nd place overall women is awesome! :)

The Speres said...

I love your blog Laura! I apologize for yelling out Laura Matthews during that race! I didn't know your married name!
So you two are back in SLC now? Where are you living? We are very excited to move down to Zions. Both of us are always up for change of scenery and new challenges, so it should be good for both of us.
This blog thing is nice, cause I NEVER see anyone, so it's nice to feel somewhat informed about highschool friends! Congrats on all your many races!

Courtney said...

Way to go...I am glad I am not the only one who has days that I feel the miles drag on and on and on....and days that I could run forever! You totally motivate me to get my butt going girl!

Nick Scott Family said...

Okay ... I started running on Monday (have gone 3 nights in a row) which is a miracle for me. I'm soooo not motivated but I'm starting. I want to run some 5Ks this fall - let me know in a bit when you run another one and maybe I'll join you :)

Erin Pick said...

Laura, I can't believe you are such a runner! I should run, but i am scared i might pee my pants. Kudo's to you! I found your blog on the Richs and your amazing! Thanks for letting me look in on your world!
Erin Pickrell

emily said...

oh man willis what a guy. grandpa is way cute. so are you. and mom. oh kristyle what a champ!

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